Opinion
Tim Giago: Tribes to claim downsized military bases


"In New Mexico I suppose the city commissioners of Clovis can vote to have Jemez Pueblo officials open their off-reservation casino there because it is running into all sorts of obstacles trying to open it in Anthony. Indian tribes have a legitimate right to lay claim to federal installations when they are closed. Think about it, citizens of Clovis. The base could turn into a real moneymaker and job provider.

Several tribal leaders in South Dakota are preparing a proposal to submit to the federal government that would lay claim to Ellsworth AFB after it closes. Dr. Art Zimiga, an Oglala Lakota, and several other prominent Indian business men and women are putting together a package to give to Oglala Sioux Tribal Attorney Mario Gonzalez who is working on a plan for the Oglala Sioux Tribe to claim Ellsworth.

It’s going to be a very interesting time watching the maneuvering, the elbowing and the hand wringing that everyone involved brings to the table. And the winner is? We won’t know until we see what “clout” Sen. Thune and Sen. Pete Dominici (R-NM) bring to the fight. "

Get the Story:
Commodity cheese goes good with any whine (The Native American Times 6/6)

Related Stories:
Tim Giago: First revolutionary was a Native man (5/31)
Tim Giago: Many 'wannabe' tribes seek recognition (05/17)
Tim Giago: South Dakota press censors Indian writers (05/10)
Tim Giago: White lawyers growing fat off tribes (04/26)
Tim Giago: Gay marriage debate killed Democrats (4/19)
Tim Giago: It's time for wealthy tribes to think Indian (04/05)
Tim Giago: Wealthy tribes don't need federal funds (03/31)
Tim Giago: Gaming leads to addiction, crime (03/22)
Tim Giago: Discrimination in the media and advertising (03/08)
Tim Giago: Black Hills land theft a dishonest deal (03/01)
Tim Giago: Committing slow suicide with foods (02/15)
Tim Giago: Bush probably still against Indian gaming (01/25)
Tim Giago: Calvary re-enactors should know better (01/18)
Tim Giago: Racism continues in South Dakota (11/30)
Tim Giago: Should we listen to Osama bin Laden? (11/23)
Tim Giago: GOP moral values will hurt Indian Country (11/09)
Tim Giago: Indian reformists stamped out tribes (11/02)
Tim Giago: I'm not a racist and I haven't seen NMAI yet (09/29)
Tim Giago: Eastern tribes are African-American (09/15)
Tim Giago: Indians have cause to fear Republicans (07/21)
Tim Giago: Casinos create culture of 'us' and 'them' (06/30)
Tim Giago: Boarding schools cause of many ills (06/14)
Tim Giago: 'Real' Indians don't fight over money (04/05)
Tim Giago now plans to run for Senate as independent (03/31)
Tim Giago: Indians pay no taxes, and other myths (01/26)
Giago: Indian gaming erodes tribal sovereignty (01/07)
Giago: Gays were highly respected by Sioux Nation (09/22)
Tim Giago: I'm a fully recovered Catholic (09/11)
Giago: State should refund tax money first (08/06)
Giago: Oprah show changed minds on Indian mascots (07/31)