Johnny, you need to take your blood pressure medicine and calm down...I never called ALL Indians alcoholics...but you sure seem to jump on the defense. Everything you just wasted your time thinking your educating someone was simply for your own benefit. Not mine. I never went to the street corner you just took it to. If you took it all that way, your problem, once again, not mine. You have just basically proven my whole point of "living in the past", your people are oppressed simply because they allow themselves to be and segregate their own selves by doing things like this article speaks of. The feeling of entitlement that you display in everything you just typed is all the proof I need. Ya know, in 1998 I was taking a young 16 year old pregnant Indian girl to her mothers apartment in Gary Oklahoma, to gather some things to come back to OKC, as a favor to my sister in law (it was her sister), and because this young lady had problems with the father of her unborn and had mouthed off at an earlier date to one of the women relatives of him, I, because I was older, bigger, white, and in the wrong place at the wrong time, was confronted at the door when helping her gather her things to leave and was circled by 6 grown, adult, drunk Indian women (relatives of the father of the unborn child the 16 year old was carrying), they asked me my name and I was shaking, it was obvious I was frightened, one, named Helena, appeared to be nearly 50, stood behind me and shoved me into the circle off of the porch, in defense, I stood up and punched her, knocked her glasses off her face, then before I knew what was happening, one had my head held down with an elbow in my back and I felt the sting of one foot after another kicking me in the face and ribs and stomach, things went dark and back light again, they drug me to a ditch and all I remember is hearing one voice yell get the bat out of the back and I was out again, the 16 year old pregnant indian girl jumped across my back in the ditch and took the hit from a bad across her back for me, from her own people. then I heard sirens. two of these Indian women went to prison for life after my testemony for attempted murder,(second offense for both) and one, the one who pushed me in the circle, Helena, got nothing, the other 3 spent about 4 months in jail for assualt and battery. No, you did not educate me any, my experiences have made me what I am as far as the way I see things. After working at the Anadarko hospital for years in the ER and seeing and dealing with the drunkeness and the damage your people do to each other in their drunken stupor....hmm, speaks for itself.

Now that you’ve forced me to educate you both on Oklahoma history Cassie and Jovy, know that non-Indian businesses have reaped millions moving their businesses into Oklahoma BECAUSE it is regarded as “former Indian reservation” lands! How is it tribes cannot choose who they hire the way they see fit? Did you know tribes make up a sizeable population in Oklahoma, but remain at the bottom of the economic ladder? I served this great land as an American, not an Indian. I am only reminded of my race by people like you Cassie, who calls every Indian an alcoholic even though whites are catching up and passing natives (in some pockets of America) in that statistic! Or you BonJonJovy, who thinks only Indians own casinos, ever heard of Remington Park or Donald Trump? First of all, CASINO TRIBES make up a small percentage of federally recognized tribes in America. Tribes are only getting better at contributing to community level services like transportation, law enforcement, road construction projects, school revenues, firefighting and donations to national emergency crisis in the forms of money and goods! Why hate on a people who are so diverse, you both probably have Indian blood running through your veins and don’t even know it or are ashamed of it! American Indians have mixed with German, Scottish, Irish, French, English, Jewish, African, Spanish (Mexicans), Asian and Canadian peoples.

I have said before, but I’ll repeat myself for you two, that I am not pro-Casino, but if tribes can contribute to local economies and hire ALL races, I am for them! You should not jump the gun on tribes that hire within their own nations if their people are having harsh economic times. I once worked as a job developer/counselor at an Indian Center, near a reservation where those tribes got offended if I served white high school kids with job placement or assistance. I told them that we cannot legally place ads in the newspapers for job openings or do public fundraisers if we exclude all high school kids. I saw racism coming from Indians and even tribe against tribe. I always felt that since I was raised Christian in Oklahoma, my worldview of race was less confined to those like me and I felt obligated to help all high school kids with a job lead regardless!

Like casino’s, this hate and criticism of Indian prosperity is a new thing! White people don’t understand that America once held MILLIONS of native nations and to make room for settlers, the fumbling fathers and US Presidents made treaties with tribes to ensure safe passage for whites in exchange for goods and military corrals. Now whites believe every tribe has a casino and every Indian gets monthly checks yet, the prosperity of frat boys like Bush and Sorority girls such as Palin reap the benefits of genocide the same as you Cassie and Jon Bon Jovy. Ignorance is not an option in these economic times! Get your head out of your American Idol and understand that if you feel cheated out of your American dream, it is not because natives are making a buck in gaming, it’s because you continually elect corruption and incompetence in your state and local leadership. Racial economics has been applied to black entertainers and athletes; Asian, Arab, and Hindu business owners; and Mexican laborers. Since all these people are Americans and pay taxes but aren’t church members of your religious itch, they still die in wars for old Glory even though they aren’t from the same race as Charles Manson, Adolph Hitler or Timothy McVeigh and Okies are!
JonBonJovy, its about time for the white race to man-up and pay the rent. If you think Natives have a “free ride” in 500 years of occupation, where is our American Indian history of Native governors, presidents, CEO’s or business owners, Army generals, bank presidents, media moguls and newspaper publisher’s in comparison to whites holding these jobs since natives get “preferential treatment”? Bon Jovy, both you and Cassie need to READ MORE AMERICAN HISTORY and not just Oklahoma History, which schools only teach about Anglo-Oklahoma’s plight and not Indian Territory! Did you know the University of Oklahoma credits native language classes as foreign languages? Did you know whites nationally receive more AFDC and state assistance than any other race? Like tribes, you feel what natives have been experiencing for over 500 years and I predicted that your own government officials would run out of races to inflict their economic woes as they have done to all ethnic groups, Irish and Germans included, so welcome to the jungle, but don’t bite the hands that feed you! Tribes, like casinos, might be all that’s left of your American dream and the foreseeable Oklahoma economic sunrise!

Time for the Indians to man up and be the self-sufiicent warriors they ve pretended to be all of these years.

Its also time for everyone to be able to open casinos, not just Indians. I am sure that they would be for that, oh, sorry, I forgot how racist they really are. lol.

How about a Hooters at one of the casinos?

Las Vegas, I mean.

Los Vegas, everyone. Screw the tribal land casinos.

OK...so what they should have done is advertise their job fair...not saying it was Indian-only and only hired Indians.

Hooters discriminates by only hiring a certain type of people...chesty girls. The NFL only hires certain types of people to play football....men. Screw it. If they don't want you working there, they won't hire you anyway. I always wondered when I went to Indian casions, why there were so many white people working there anyway. If you have a job, what are you so worried about? I bet it pays more than $2.45 above federal minimum wage. My job sure does. And Lord knows us Indians are raking in the cash now.

What Hand outs are you talking about Cassie?I am Indian.I don't even know anyone that gets a hand out your talking about.The Government doesn't give us hand outs.As far as welfare goes,there are plenty of all races on the welfare roll.I get a Gas royality check for average 250.00 a month.But if I were white,black or asian I would still get it if I owend the same farm and they put a gas well in the section The farm is on.I get my check through the BIA because they Think Indians are to stupid to take care of our own affairs..I worked all my life to get 436.00 a month Social security,I never made much money But I raised 4 children by my self.Back then they didn't encourage me to finish High school and go to College,women where just supposed to have babies, and be married.But I do not place a blame on me being Indian.I do place blame on making bad choises.You are right about Indians blaming the Government for alot of things and they are guilty of alot of things.They did make many promises to gain the land you know live on and they didn't keep the promises.So many Of My Indian Brothers and sisters like to Blame everyone for holding them back But only people hold themshelves back in any race.We have to live with our choices.When the Governemt gives money to the tribles it is no different than the city of Norman and Tulsa or any government asking for money to build their projects.well you get the point.We need to learn to live together,You are right about the timing of this artical.The news media is trying to push our buttons.God bless us all.Sharon Decker,Norman

And Johnny, I don't own a home, I rent...I work hard to pay my rent. There is NOTHING handed to me in the form of government, welfare, or charity funds. It sickens me to see anyone, of any race, expect a handout. I believe in helping one get on their own two feet and giving them the tools it takes to learn how to live, but now...in 2008? to carry on generation after generation teaching your children how the cowboys took from the Indians and that somehow now we owe it all back to them for what our ancestors have done....move on already. there is still a lot of Native Americans that absolutely despise all other races, the grudges they hold today are only fueled by their elders and their elders. And you want to say that my thinking is only keeping myself and Oklahoma in the past? They stay in the past, they have never left it...isn't that what this is all about?

Ironic that this story was published on--get ready for it--drum roll please--Columbus Day: the national day of mourning for all natives in this hemisphere!

Affirmative action lives! I choose to not go to indian casinos...you all should do the same.

Cassie, alcoholism, like bars do not discriminate! You know its probably in your own family as well! If all you can do is call names and get dirty, you are only keeping yourself and the state of Oklahoma, in the past! If you know your Oklahoma history at all, Indians used to have “hangouts” and “small Indian communities” with no bars (a white invention, ie., saloons my dear Cassie!). Meth and Saloons came with statehood Cassie. Alcohol, like whining Cassie does not solve anything, you can’t share Indian oppression because you still have your home and property, something tribes do not collectively have.

Isn’t it ironic how in these times Oklahomans fear an African American Presidency based on race alone trimming away all race based attacks or questionable ties, while also the state of NY wants a race based taxation on non-Indians for their LOSSES on revenue? How many Native Americans have a good chance of being hired by non-Indian entities, private and public, qualified and skilled for such jobs while opportunities for non-Indians seem to fall on their laps in Oklahoma? Research into this “racial phenomenon” would be interesting in this proud state called “Native America”, yet as a native raised in Oklahoma with Veterans status, college education, both white collar and blue collar skills, I always end up mopping floors in Oklahoma (a job is a job) while out of state, I am a teacher and program director. I have had jobs in OK where I was more qualified than my superiors, skills, experience and education-wise. Businesses and government in Oklahoma have a long history of ignoring natives, but when tribes assert authority, no different than federal, state, county, or local municipalities, everyone cries UNFAIR! Go figure!

...all others, please move to the back of the bus.

a

Here Here People!!The Indian tribes basically started Casinos and other business to employee there peoples.because they have a very high un-employment rate.They are holding a job fair just for them and when that is over they will have one to hire white,blacks,spanish and asian,etc.They already have loads of other groups already on there payroll.They just want to make sure they have all the Indians working that want to work.There is nothing at all wrong with that.It is the same when a company only will hire you if you have a US citizinship .All The Indian tribes are trying to do is help them selves.So don't blow this up into something that it is not.Thanks Sharon Decker,Norman

Wait, do I read this correctly or is it my perception of what it said that is wrong...any other race besides Indian does not qualify for employment there and there is nothing we can do about it because they are protected by laws, but if they apply and are not hired at an "outside the tribe" corporation because of their race, they can take legal action for discrimination right?