Robert Hayward - Author, The Thirteenth Step, drug/alcohol counselor, member, Native American Church, Pala/La Jolla Chapter, Fallbrook, website, thethirteenthstep.com

It is one of those strange twists of fate that has been proven over and over in history: The conquered people eventually take on the worst characteristics of those who conquered them. It has manifested in Southern California with the advent of Indian gaming, in a terrible way.
It wasn't long ago that the local tribes were all limping along in abject poverty, trying to gain a foothold after being stripped of everything and relegated to reservations. It is a sad and brutal history, no different than all other tribes in this country.
Once the gaming compacts were signed, and big money rolled in, it was everyone's hope that it would help all tribes. While there are great stories of success, unfortunately greed has raised its ugly head.
In 1705, Virginia was the first to establish Indian blood quantum requirements, opposite of today's guidelines. Anyone with over one-half Indian blood was denied civil rights. The federal government changed that in 1934 and began requiring certain amounts of Indian ancestry to qualify for benefits from the treaties (all of which the government eventually broke). Tribes began adopting blood quantum rules for inclusion into tribes. The DEA even set blood quanta minimums for participation in certain Native American ceremonies, clearly overstepping their bounds.
If we are honest, and not afraid of upsetting those who hold too much power, the fact that the San Pasqual Tribe kicked out 80 members, Pechanga cut 130, Rincon tried to cut 70, and Pala is now working hard to eliminate at least 120 members from their tribal roles is all about greed and politics, nothing more.
You do not see any nongaming tribes involved in this nonsense. And had these casinos never been built, none of this would be happening, period!
The California Tribal Gaming Industry rakes in at least $7.7 billion every year. Yet, this is not enough for leaders of tiny tribes like Pala, who don't want to share it with all 900 registered members ---- people who have lived together for decades, centuries, eons.
It is not easy to find full-blooded Indians around here, most tribes have been intermarrying for a long time, and many last names are Irish, German, Spanish, and other nationalities.
In a time when all Indians should be uniting and fighting our greatest enemies that we have ever faced, the small yet powerful are tearing us apart. It is time to heal, and first we have to admit what our enemies are: Alcoholism, addiction, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, child, elder and domestic abuse. All sicknesses that are traceable to the boarding school policies of the federal government, all diseases we did not have prior to invasion, yet diseases we must finally face, treat, and destroy.
Unified, with the resources from gaming, all tribes could become healed, our traditions and culture restored, and a bright future for all. Instead, the money has torn us all apart, greed has taken over, and we continue to struggle.
We are told to make sure those who follow seven generations from now are safe, happy and healthy. At this rate, there won't be a 7th generation. Our ancestors are not pleased.
 

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/forum-greed-has-taken-over-our-tribes/article_0b65e0b3-4868-5b6e-930f-14c7d9c79317.html#ixzz1ccIednXp