NATIVE AMERICANS ECONOMIC ISSUE

Native Americans Economic Issue

Native Americans Economic Issue (Criminal Justice System)

Introduction

There are several economic issues that affect the living of portrayal of Native Americans as criminals is one of them. Native Americans have historically been portrayed in a negative light. Recently, however, the image of Native Americans has begun to change in popular culture. Films such as Thunderheart, Dances with Wolves, and Windtalkers highlighted the ingenuity and nobility of the Native American peoples. In addition, Native Americans began to improve their economic future with the construction and operation of Indian-owned gambling casinos. Other cultural aspects innate to Native Americans and their involvement in the legal system as victims, offenders, and criminal justice personnel are explored in this chapter. Issues of identity and cultural heritage for Native Americans will provide a backdrop to further enhance the understanding of their position in the United States; thus the discussion begins there. This paper discusses the criminal justice system as an economic issue of for Native Americans.

Discussion

The terms Native American, American Indian, and Indian are synonymous with the tribal peoples of the United States. Most tribal members prefer to be identified with their specific tribes and by their given native names but have tolerated these broader terms in an effort to pacify local community members and ease tension between themselves and the dominant culture. In fact, most Native Americans have not identified themselves as one group with these terms but prefer to maintain a separate identity and refer to this vast group of tribes as “The People” or “The Friends.” This distinction demonstrates the pride individual tribes feel and their respect for members of other tribes (Shusta et al. 2002).

While Native Americans have a rich cultural history, much of this culture has been destroyed or manipulated to favor the European-descended majority. In an attempt to increase local employment opportunities, many tribes have turned to gambling casinos and the collateral businesses which support these ventures. Since tribal lands are under the sovereignty of the tribes, gambling casinos provide a much needed stream of revenue and limited regulation from governmental agencies. This revenue is not taxed in the same manner as other casinos. The revenue comes from guests who frequent the casinos that are located in areas not generally zoned for development by local or state governments, thereby reducing or eliminating many sources of competition. Preferential hiring practices will increase the opportunity for local tribal members to become gainfully employed and thus raise their standard of living.

Many Native Americans are engaged in Casino business. Casinos alone cannot solve all the woes of the local tribe, let alone other tribes in the Indian nation. Many communities experience problems associated with the promotion and enhancement of gaming establishments. These problems include but are not limited to addictive behaviors, crimes of moral turpitude, and the possibility of associated increases in motor vehicle accidents.

Native Americans as Law Enforcement Professionals

What role is law enforcement playing in attempting to resolve these community issues? Law enforcement in the Indian community is ...