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http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/01/navajo-nation-tempted-by-the-almighty-dollar/ Tempted by the Almighty Dollar In the Navajo-Hopi Observer, Wells Mahkee Jr. questions whether gaming can truly bring prosperity to the Navajo Nation, or whether it simply serves as a short-term solution and encourages social ills like alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence. The Navajo Nation is a young gaming tribe. They entered the arena with Fire Rock Casino in November of 2008, followed by the Flowing Water Casino in New Mexico, and next in line, the proposed Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff, Ariz. “…the Navajo Nation – one of the last few remaining tribes in the Southwest that had staunchly resisted the temptation of gaming – has been criticized for once again ‘selling out’ to the allure of the Almighty Dollar,” Mahkee wrote. Get the full story.   http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=798&ArticleID=13283 1/25/2011   Are casinos really the answer to the Navajo Nation's future?   Wells Mahkee Jr. The Observer "Only when the last tree has withered, and the last fish caught, and the last river been poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money." - Cree proverb Since the opening of Fire Rock Casino back in November of 2008, the opening of the Flowing Water Casino in New Mexico, along with the proposed opening of the Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff, the Navajo Nation - one of the last few remaining tribes in the Southwest that had staunchly resisted the temptation of gaming - has been criticized for once again "selling out" to the allure of the Almighty Dollar. Over the past few decades, many tribal nations have prospered greatly as a result of Indian gaming. Our Pueblo neighbors to the east - Acoma, Laguna, Sandia, Santa Ana, San Felipe, and many of the Pueblos north of Santa Fe, N.M. seem to have benefited greatly as a result of gaming. Some have expanded their facilities to better accommodate additional gaming for additional revenue and bigger events in order to attract more people for even more revenue. But who ultimately pays for such expanded growth? While proponents of gaming, such as former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., continue to tout the benefits of gaming, there seem to be an equal number of individuals who are against gaming in any shape or form. But in the midst of one of the worst recessions in recent history, is gaming really such a bad idea? In late December, Shirley stated that economic development meant jobs for Navajos and revenues for the Nation to meet the needs of the people. He stated in a recent article regarding the proposed opening of the Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff, "We're moving forward as a nation, a government and as a people. [Many] families are going to be in a position to put food on the table, to put shoes on little feet ... to pay for the utilities - that's what [gaming] means to my people." Opponents of gaming, on the other hand, contradict what Shirley has stated. "Gambling is an addiction just like alcohol," one person defiantly asserted. "The fallout will be social problems where there are already numerous social ills from drugs and alcohol and violence. Why does the Navajo Tribe think there will be no consequences only dollar signs (sic) ... This is not a good idea." Another person lamented, "The Navajo should learn a lesson from their Hopi brethren who have resisted entering into [gaming] in recognition that it does nothing but take advantage of the human weaknesses of others. Aside from a few people who have money to waste in gambling casinos these parasitic businesses do nothing but drain money from people who, for the most part, cannot afford to lose that money and it's loss creates a host of social problems not unfamiliar to the Navajo." These certainly are legitimate concerns that probably should have been addressed prior to approving the casinos, but in retrospect, it does seem as if though the positive currently outweighs the negative ... or does it? Is Navajo gaming destined to become yet another maligned social ill, much like alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence - yet another "problem" to be pushed to the wayside and ignored in the hopes that it will eventually just go away? Or should the Navajo Nation stand proudly and reaffirm their stance as a progressive people, able to maintain that delicate balance between two very opposite worlds? Only the Almighty Dollar knows for certain.

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