Tribal leaders demand apology from Schwarzenegger

Wednesday, October 20, 2004  

Tribal leaders in California are calling on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to apologize for claiming that Indians are "ripping us off" when it comes to gaming.

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association issued as statement saying that Schwarzenegger's remarks were "inflammatory." "California tribes are keenly aware of the injustice of being ripped off and it is not something that we would wish on any people, state or nation," the statement read.

Anthony Pico, chairman of Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, said he was "deeply hurt" by the remarks. "We made the governor look pretty damn good in my opinion, finding a way to come up with $1 billion up front ... like basically he came into the Indian camp and got what he needed for the state and walked out," he told Copley News Service.

"Here’s a guy from Austria who comes to America saying, ‘those Indians are stealing from us,’ " Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich said in an interview with The Palm Springs Desert Sun. "It’s no different than saying, ‘those darn Mexicans are stealing from us.’ If that isn’t a racist attitude, I don’t know what is."

The state NAACP also said the remarks were insensitive. "Right away, you think of all the old stereotypes of Indians and white men," Alice Huffman, the state NAACP president, told The Sacramento Bee. "It sounds like cowboys-and-Indians stuff."

Schwarzenegger will not apologize, a spokesperson said, accusing the tribes of "a pathetic use of the race card and they should be ashamed of themselves."

Get the Story:
Local tribe levels racism charges against governor (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/20)
Governor's remark draws ire (The Sacramento Bee 10/20)
Tribes want governor's apology (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 10/20)
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Tribes bristle at Schwarzenegger's campaign rhetoric (Copley News Service 10/19)