Indian Gaming > Column: Tribe deserves respect but not a casino

July 15, 2004

Column: Tribe deserves respect but not a casino

"In Charlestown yesterday, the Indians commemorated the first anniversary of Carcieri's sending in the state police to close their tax-free smoke shop. The raid touched off a furor and built sympathy for the tribe.

'If some people's eyes were opened because of what happened last year, certainly we welcome that,' First Councilman Randy Noka told me. 'The truth of the matter is eyes have to be opened. The reality is that we've been treated with indifference too long.'

Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas told me, 'We're not looking for any sympathy.' Instead, the tribe wants 'respect.'

And it should have respect. But not a casino."

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