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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1998)
Dispelling the Myths About Indian Gaming (reprinted from the Native American Rights Fund Early Fall 1998 Newsletter) There is a somewhat common belief in American society that Indians have struck it rich with the establishment of Indian casinos. However, gaming on Indian reservations ha a long way to go before it significantly lowers the high levels of poverty on Indian lands nationwide. According to a “Survey of Grant Giving by American Indian Foundations and Organizations” by Native Americans in Philanthropy, the needs of reservation Indians are so great that even if the total Indian gaming revenue in the country could be divided equally among all the Indians in the country, the amount distributed ($3,000) per person would still not be enough to raise Indian per capita income (currently $4,500) to anywhere near the national average of $ 14,400. And out of more than 500 Indian nations, only 177 are involved in gaming. Many tribes may never participate in gaming because of their geographic location in rural, unpopulated areas. Among the reasons for the disparity between perception and reality is the attention given to the few tribal gaming operations that have been spectacular success - most notably the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in Connecticut and the Shakopee Mdewakanton in Minnesota. However, these operations are the exception rather than the rule. As small tribes located near major urban areas, these successful gaming operations have benefited the most from the gaming boom generating 40% of all Indian gaming revenue. The remaining 175 tribal operations are only marginally profitable. Furthermore, as sovereign entities, Indian tribes, like local and state governments, have a responsibility for the lives and well-being of their citizens. They must address the housing, medical, family, education and job training needs of their members. While the federal government continues to have a treaty based trust responsibility to provide some educational and health services to federally recognized tribes and their members, gaming revenues help offset declining federal funds for basic human services on the reservation. As a result, gaming tribes must concentrate their revenues to create and maintain tribal police, fire and ambulance services, health and child-care services, educational assistance programs, cultural enhancement, and numerous other human service programs. In sum, gaming operations enable many tribes to reduce unemployment on their reservations, as well as fund governmental programs necessary for the survival of their tribal members. OSU News Releases: DENTAL EMERGENCIES - WHAT TO DO Watershed Councils Taking Action While state and national debates rage about water resource and fishery issues, a grass-roots movement of more than 80 “watershed councils” around Oregon is quietly compiling a steady record of success in cleaning up streams, protecting riparian zones and improving fish habitat. A new survey of these watershed councils by the forestry Extension Program at Oregon State University found they often had concerns about inadequate funding or administrative coordination. But despite that they were moving ahead with concrete, “on the ground” activities including fencing streams, planting trees and surveying streams and habitat. Along the southern coast of Oregon, about 150 miles of fencing has been installed on several streams to help keep out cattle, and 100,000 trees have been planted to nurture and restore the riparian zone. For more information, contact David Stauth at (541) 737-0787. by Linda Kreutzer, RDH What is a dental emergency? When a tooth is broken, knocked out, or causing severe pain (toothache). Here is what to do in the event of a dental emergency. Aquaculture: Not an Easy Answer to Overfishing A new report in the journal Science suggests that some types of aquaculture, a fish-farming concept that once seemed to be the solution to overfishing of the world’s oceans, may in fact be causing some of the same problems it was meant to resolve. Shrimp and salmon aquaculture, m particular, were indicted for depleting fisheries, disrupting coastal ecosystems, polluting the ocean with excess nutrients and pesticides, and using almost triple the quantity of wild-caught fish for “fish food” as the system produces in marketable shrimp or salmon. “Aquaculture is often seen as a panacea, the solution to relieving fishing pressure eon the oceans and feed the world,” said Jane Lubchenco, a distinguished professor of zoology at Oregon State University and co-author of the report. “What we’re finding is that, unless it is done right, some aquaculture is causing more problems than it solves and doing nothing to increase the world’s overall food supply.” Lubchenco and nine other international experts in aquaculture, fisheries, ecology and economics suggested that improved practices are needed to make salmon and shrimp aquaculture more sustainable. For example, the amount of fish required to make feed for salmon and shrimp should be reduced, pollution from aquaculture operations should be minimized and habitat destruction prevented. Formore information, contact Jane Lubchenco at (541 ) 737-5337 or David Stauth at (541) 737-078^ BROKENTOOTH: Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses on the face, in the area of the injured tooth, to decrease swelling, go to the dentist immediately. KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH: Rinse the tooth gently in running water. Do NOT scrub it or remove any pieces of attached tissues. Gently insert and hold the tooth in it’s socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or a cup of cool water. Go to the dentist IMMEDIATELY (within 30 minutes if possible). Don’t forget to bring the tooth. In some cases, the tooth can be successfully re implanted. TOOTHACHE; Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that might be trapped between the teeth. Do NOT place aspirin on the aching tooth or gums next to the tooth. Aspirin is very acidic and can cause severe bums on the gums. See your dentist as soon as possible. (Immediately if face is swollen). BITTEN TONGUE OR LIP: Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth. If swelling is present, apply cold compreses (ice will work). IF bleeding does not stop in 15 minutes, or the cut is laige or deep, go to the nearest hospital emergency room. POSSIBLE BROKEN JAW: Do not move the jaw. Secure the jaw in place by tying a handkerchief, necktie, or towel around the jaw and up over the top of the head. If swelling is present, apply cold compresses (ice). Go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room. The best way to deal with a dental emergency is to prevent them! Here’s how: - Remind young chidren to NEVER push or shove at the drinking fountain at school. - Be aware of how close others are to you when swinging sports equipment (baseball bats or golf clubs). When working with tools such as hammers, be aware if others are standing nearby. - Sport mouthguards can easily be made by the dentist to protect teeth from injury during school sports (basketball, football, volleyball, soccer). - Go to the dentist when you first realize there is a problem with a tooth. Don’t wait until the tooth becomes abscessed. This is the dental emergency that can be prevented by not putting off the trip to the dentist. -19-
