by Cristy Hebert

Created on: August 18, 2007

Not only does casino gambling hurt Native Americans but the fact that they live on reservations hurts them also. In Canada, I don't know if it is the same thing in the United States, Native Americans have to live on their reservations in order to collect the benefits associated with being a Native. The fact that they are confined there means that they make their living in casinos, gas stations and places where they sell cigarettes and alcohol.

You can't help but drawing the conclusion that living on a reservation and casino gambling is not helping the Natives because their suicide, drugs, alcohol and incest problems are rampant. We had a case a couple of years ago that the authorities intervened and took children away from a reservation in Labrador because the children were sniffing butane. They are encouraged to stay on the reservation to keep their identity. That fact means that they don't go out much and their means of earning an income is illegal in certain parts of the country.

Native authorities and federal government will have to really sit down and ask themselves if gambling on a reservation is the best way for them to earn their living. In Canada, Natives study for free at universities yet they don't make it out in droves to study and get a diploma. They will have to come up with a different solution to educate their children and eradicate the social problems that plague their members.

Learn more about this author, Cristy Hebert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.