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Montana tribes want more NIGC support

MONTANA – As reported by the Billings Gazette: "The National Indian Gaming Commission doesn't pay enough attention to Montana tribes' comments, tribal representatives told commissioners Thursday at a meeting in Billings.

"Representatives also told the commissioners that they do not do enough to advocate for Montana tribes and that proposed commission regulations will put a stranglehold on their ability to run gaming operations.

"'We've told you over and over and over that what you are doing is wrong for us,' said Reuben Mathias, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. 'If we've got a chance to better ourselves with gaming, why don't you let us do that?'

"Mathias, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council, was among about 50 people who attended a National Indian Gaming Commission meeting at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana. The commission made a rare visit to Montana to hold individual consultations with tribes but agreed to also hold a large meeting to hear from tribal representatives, Commission Chairman Phil Hogen said. The NIGC is charged with regulating gaming activities on Indian lands. It was established in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which basically aims to ensure that Indian gaming provides economic development for tribes and helps them reach self-sufficiency.

"…The biggest issue for Montana tribes is their lack of a government-to-government relationship with the state on gaming issues, she said. The state and tribes must develop a compact or agreement that establishes the rules to govern gaming operations before they can be established…"

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