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Tribal Leader: Casinos are New Stereotype

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Sacramento Bee: "The financial success of their casinos hasn't ended California American Indians' traditional presence in the media as stereotypes, a San Diego County tribal chairman said Tuesday.

"…'If I didn't know better, the news would lead me to believe Indians are overrunning the state, corrupting California government, buying up land and building casinos on every street corner, and causing havoc with local governments and neighbors,' said Anthony Pico, who for 18 of the past 20 years has been chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Nation.

"Speaking to the Sacramento Press Club, Pico said the state's native population was vilified as less than human in the press during most of the 19th century, portrayed as indolent drunks in the early part of the 20th century, and then generally ignored until bingo halls and casinos came along.

"…And he said it was highly doubtful any of the audience would be interested in hearing anything he had to say if tribal casinos didn't exist.

"Judging from the questions that followed - almost all of which had to do with casino compact negotiations between some tribes and the governor and two gambling-related proposals for the November ballot - he was right.

"Pico's tribe is among fewer than 10 actively bargaining with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over new compacts that would replace the 20-year deals that 61 tribes signed in 1999…"

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