And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From: Piercing Eyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
forwarded for informational purposes only - contents have not been verified...
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 16:21:32 EDT
Subject: Tribal Government Leaders Meet in Los Angeles With...
Tribal Government Leaders Meet in Los Angeles With Governor, Attorney General
and New Tribal-State Compact Appointee
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1999--More than 50 tribal
government representatives gathered Friday in the Ronald Reagan Auditorium in
downtown Los Angeles for an unprecedented meeting with California Gov. Gray
Davis, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the governor's newly appointed
liaison for tribal-state compact discussions, Judge William Norris.
The following is a statement on the meeting from California Nations
Indian Gaming Association Chairman Daniel Tucker: -0-
On behalf of the tribal leaders and members of the California Nations
Indian Gaming Association representing this state's federally recognized
Indian tribes, I have expressed our appreciation to Gov. Gray Davis, Attorney
General Bill Lockyer and Judge William Norris for holding this very
significant and important introductory meeting. We believe today's meeting
signals the beginning of meaningful discussions on implementation of
tribal-gaming compacts.
This is the first time in the history of the state that a California
governor has met with gaming, as well as nongaming tribes, on a
government-to-government basis to begin authentic dialogue and to build a
legitimate framework for compacting.
Our respective governments have come together to implement the will of
the people of California. More than 5 million people -- 63 percent of the
electorate -- gave overwhelming voter approval to Proposition 5 last
November, and sent a direct message to state leadership that tribal gaming on
Indian lands is to be protected. This is the first meeting between tribal
governments and the state of California since the passage of Prop. 5 and is a
reflection of the voters' mandate. We applaud the Governor for his efforts.
The tribes of California have waited a long time for this day. The
tribes made history with Prop. 5 when 88 federally recognized California
Indian tribes representing 97 percent of Indians on reservations came
together to support Prop 5. These tribes, small and large, gaming and
nongaming were united in the fundamental goal of Prop. 5 -- Indian
self-reliance.
The overwhelming majority of California's gaming and nongaming tribes
have elected the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) to
serve as a central conduit for the governor's office to use for
communications and coordination of tribal-state compact discussions and
activities.
We look forward to working with the Governor, Attorney General and Judge
Norris to conclude Class III gaming compacts as soon as possible. Executing
tribal-state compacts that use the same terms and provisions outlined under
Prop. 5 will allow California Indian tribes to continue to offer limited,
regulated gaming on tribal lands. Gaming that provides needed jobs and funds
education, health care, cultural preservation and other crucial services for
tribal members.
The compacts will create a fair, reasonable plan for regulation of
Indian gaming in California, and will establish stringent rules and
regulations for the operation of tribal gaming.
We believe Gov. Davis will bring all parties together and heal the
wounds that have festered for far too long between California Indian tribes
and the state. This is a new day, a new era, and all of us welcome this new
beginning.
When California tribes are no longer under threat to close the very
gaming operations that keep them off welfare; when tribes finally sign
lasting agreements with the state that resolve the legal roadblocks, it will
be a great day. There is nothing now that prevents the state and California
tribes from completing the final steps and making that day a reality.
--30--tjm/la les/la
CONTACT:
CNIGA Office, 916/448-8706
or
Cerrell Associates Inc.
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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