Bill to recognize Native Americans sparks controversy
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would formally recognize Indian tribes in Pennsylvania could open the door to casino gambling in the state, lawmakers warned on Tuesday. If passed, the legislation could have a direct impact on Fayette County, where a Canadian Iroquois tribe is exploring the possibility of building a casino.
State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Philadelphia, said the intent of her bill is to recognize and help Native Americans. Currently, the state does not recognize any tribe and, without formal recognition, the 17,000-plus Native Americans living in Pennsylvania cannot receive certain federal benefits.
But recognition could also pave the way for casinos on Indian reservations in the state, she admitted.
“The primary reason the bill is not enacted today is the fear that it could open the door for gambling in Pennsylvania,” Bishop said at a committee hearing on her bill. “While that may be possible, it is not the intent of the legislation. Though, it would be [Indian tribes’] right, if passed, to gamble if they want to.”
State law currently does not allow casino gambling. But Indian reservations, which operate under federal laws, are exempt from state laws, lawmakers said. The state currently has no reservations, but the proposed bill could change that.
It would establish a Commission of Native American Affairs in the state that could grant formal recognition to Native American tribes. A tribe could then buy land and, with federal approval, establish a reservation.
If passed, Fayette County could potentially be the site of a casino.
The Six Nations Confederacy of Ontario, Canada is engaged in ongoing discussions with Gov. Mark Schweiker’s staff and Fayette County officials about building a massive casino resort in Brownsville.
Although Canadian tribes are not recognized by the U.S. government and thus could not establish a reservation in Pennsylvania, it is possible that the tribe could work out an agreement with a local tribe that could get gain the necessary approvals to build and operate a casino on their reservation.
But tribe leaders who testified at the hearing said they were not interested in setting up casinos. Too many obstacles stand in the way for creating an Indian-run casino in Pennsylvania to even be feasible, said Bernard Humbles, principal chief of the United Cherokee Tribe.
“It will never happen in your lifetime,” he said.
Humbles and other Native Americans who testified said formal recognition would make their tribes eligible to receive millions of dollars worth of government assistance for education, job training and other programs. In light of past injustices, recognition is the least lawmakers can do to make amends, tribe officials said.
But not every Native American supports the bill.
Carla J.S. Messinger, a Lenape from Allentown who directs the Lenni Lenape Historical Society, said the legislation contains flaws that would not allow her tribe to be recognized.
The bill won’t be voted on anytime soon, according to Rep. Paul Clymer, a Bucks County Republican who chairs the House State Government Committee.
“Not in the immediate future,” he said. “There’s no movement on the bill. This is a long haul before anything is done with the bill.”