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In The Hoop
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2002

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

In The Hoop: The Scorecard
Is it Friday already? That means it's time for the weekly list of the movers and shakers in Indian Country and beyond.

The Winners
Adam Beach and Roger Willie - Critics be darned, you are stars in the eyes of Indian Country and the First Nations.

Montie R. Deer - So what if you get overruled, your colleagues hide information from you and tribal representatives take snipes at you. That says you are doing something right. Like following the law.

Trust Fund Receiver - If tribes don't want you muscling in on their trust, that means they have something to hide. You should be appointed immediately.

Judge Royce Lamberth - We forgot you've played a big role in a number of Indian law decisions, including gaming. Lamberth pie hands!

The Losers
Federal oversight - Tribes don't want you, states don't want you, the Supreme Court doesn't want you, why can't you just go away?

Chickasaw Nation - We hope hope all your ducks are in a row when it comes to your gaming facilities. If not, expect Sen. Jim Inhofe to use you as a campaign platform.

Ernie Stevens - You said this week at the sovereignty symposium that no one in Indian Country is getting rich off gaming. That's right. People outside of Indian Country -- management companies, consulting companies and the casino manufacturing industry -- are.

Federal Acknowledgment Resource System (FAIR) - Another few million dollars and you'll turn into the next TAAMS. Or the next IRMS. Or the next MMS. Or the next LRIS. Or . . .

In The Middle
Unrecognized Tribes - Will you finally get your say after being ignored for the past one hundred year? Magic Ball says the "Outlook not so good."

George Skibine - With all this talk about trust land, gaming and section 20s, we foresee Congressional hearings on the order of that Ojibwe scandal you took part in (albeit minor) years ago. Get ready to invoke the Fifth!

Burial Sites - Judges can't protect you forever. And when the court order is lifted, you can bet the Army Corps and the state will be back to their old tricks.

In Your Hoop
Who are your winners and losers? Email In the Hoop and let us know.