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MAY 24, 2000

Are the Pequots really Pequots? Did they really "pull a fast one" on Congress in the 1980s, as author Jeff Benedict claims?

If you were hoping to get a glimpse into the answers to these questions and others, Tuesday evening's update on the recent controversies regarding the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut probably won't help you. Instead, the report came dangerously close to misleading viewers on the true history of recent economic developments in Indian Country.

We suppose we should be happy the piece did not take the tone of a 1999 segment on the Oneida Nation land claims, where everyone from representative Ray Halbritter to local landowners were portrayed in a less than favorable light.

But the program could have given viewers a more accurate and truthful legal backdrop to the tribe's economic success in light of criticisms made by Benedict and the local opposition.

The program started off by reporting that the landmark 1978 California v. Cabazon decision "ruled that Indian tribes can run their own gambling operations...free of taxes and free of outside regulation."

If only Indian Country really lived in the utopia 60 Minutes created for us. They failed to mention that not one year later, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 established a complex set of rules and regulations governing gaming.

Some might argue IGRA even implemented taxes in the form of gaming compacts. The Mashantucket fork over 25 percent of their slot revenues to Connecticut as part of their agreement with the state.

The program also misled viewers on the history of the tribe, implying, as Benedict argues, that former Chairman Skip Hayward began efforts to gain federal recognition only because there was money involved and lots of it.

"Some would argue [the ruling] also created some Indian tribes, or at the very least resurrected them," reported 60 Minutes.

The Mashantucket began seeking recognition as early as 1976. They didn't begin gaming until 1986, a year before Cabazon, three years after receiving recognition, and even then, only after failing at other non-gaming initiatives.

At least Jeff Benedict, author of Without Reservation, was truthful about the reason why so many people are fighting the Pequot tribes of Connecticut.

When asked if Hayward and the Mashantucket had not become successful but had continued to fail at self-determination, Benedict agreed no one would care.

"What makes this an issue is that [the tribe] is not growing vegetables," said Benedict, referring to one of Hayward's failed efforts.

Therein lies the message the program reinforced. No one cares about Indians when we act like we're supposed to. Poor. Unsophisticated. Bad businessmen and women.

These stereotypes are exactly what many would want to believe about us. Luckily, we know they aren't true.

The Indianz.Com Editorial Staff

Post Script: Contrary to their report, we'd also like to inform 60 Minutes that Donald Trump can't legally make a "treaty" with an Indian tribe.

Only on Indianz.Com:
Review of Without Reservation. (Arts and Entertainment 5/5)

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See video clips and a summary of the 60 Minutes II report: Are Pequots Really Pequots?

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