Working together for success: tribal-state teamwork could solve gaming issue - Indian Gaming: Uncertainty Clouds Future of New Mexico Pueblos

New Mexico Business Journal, Dec, 1993 by Mark J. Stanton

THE STATE OF NEW Mexico and the Indian tribal governments of New Mexico are two governments which must find a way to coexist and cooperate for the benefit of their people.

There are far too many issues which affect state and pueblo lands and people for the respective governments to be at odds. Water, law enforcement, economic development and the environment are a few examples of critical issues which need to be addressed.

Currently, there is one high-profile issue which the state and pueblos must resolve: That is the issue of Indian gaming.

Despite the very complicated legal and political actions surrounding the Indian gaming issue in New Mexico, there is the reality that both the state and the Indians can and will resolve this matter and protect both of their interests.

The state of New Mexico and the Indian communities have worked to co-exist on many levels. Now that the Indians have created an economic tool that will provide them with a significant level of independence, it is hoped that the state will realize the mutually beneficial advantages and endorse gaming as important economic development for the pueblos.

The endorsement could work in much the same way the state creates incentives to encourage business to relocate to New Mexico.

In return, the Indian gaming operations will provide the state with a significant economic boost.

The boost will come in the way of attracting tourism dollars, supporting non-pueblo vendors to the gaming facilities and employing non-Indian workers at the gaming facilities.

This mutually beneficial "partnership" has great long-term potential. According to Frank Chaves, co-chair of the New Mexico Indian Gaming Association (NMIGA), the potential for a successful gaming partnership is very promising.

"The state should realize the many benefits that the pueblo gaming operations bring to the state in the way of additional revenue," Chaves said.

He explained that the state of New Mexico would greatly benefit from supporting Indian gaming, instead of trying to block them.

"The state and Indian tribal governments can work together to achieve a very good compact agreement on the gaming issue," he said. "It has happened in many other states around the country and it can happen here in New Mexico."

There are several Indian/state gaming success stories around the country, but the question is why can't the state of New Mexico understand and support the many benefits of Indian gaming to non-Indian communities?

The answer is clear. The issue has become confused with the peripheral matters surrounding the gaming industry in New Mexico. Politics have become more important than the economic benefits to the Indian and surrounding communities.

The gaming issue has become very confusing and quite complicated, according to Nancy Rodriguez, chairwoman of the Santa Fe County Commission whose district covers the city of Santa Fe.

"The whole gaming issue has been embroiled in controversy, despite the fact that a very viable compacting process is in place to achieve resolution," she said.

Rodriguez explained that if drafted cooperatively, a tribal-state compact can foster very important economic benefits for the entire state.

An Example of Tribal Government
Use of Gaming Revenue

Profit Distribution for Social Services from the
Pueblo of Pojoaque Gaming Revenue

PROFIT DISTRIBUTIONS                            POJOAQUE GAMING

Law Enforcement                                     $123,000

Support of tribal enterprises                       $373,000
(Job Creation)

Poeh Center Museum and                               $80,000
Cultural Center

Youth Programs                                       $38,000

Senior Citizen Programs                              $74,000

    Outside Cavities
(homeless shelters, sports groups,
drug & alcohol programs, etc.

Tribal government operations                        $293,000

       TOTAL 1993                                 $1,064,000

       EMPLOYMENT                                  TOTAL

10/21/93                                   Indians 45 (33.6%)
134 people                                 Hispanic 64 (47.8%)
                                          Total Minority Groups
                                             109 (81.3%)

The benefits to the state are truly significant. According to pueblo sources, the gaming facilities already support many non-Indian vendors and employ an increasing number of non-Indian workers at their gaming facilities.

"The amount of non-Indian economic development is very important because it demonstrates the overall economic boost the gaming facilities give to the entire state," said Chaves.

The NMIGA has commissioned an economic study that clearly indicates the significant economic contribution gaming operations make. According to representatives from the Center for Applied Research, the organization that compiled the survey, the economic benefits detailed in the study are indicative of much larger benefits that could be realized if an alliance is forged.