Post by Okwes on Jan 29, 2008 17:39:31 GMT -5
The Truth Behind NA Gaming Investment in Education
From: United Native Americans,Inc.
Date: Jan 23, 2008 3:57 PM
Press Contacts:
Lisa Gray-Garcia, POOR Magazine, (510) 435-7500 (415) 863-6306
Quanah Brightman, United Native Americans Inc , (510) 672-7187
Amanda Smiles, POOR Magazine: (415) 863-6306, 808-987-7239 (cell)
For Immediate Release:
Propositions 94-97, Native American College Students reveal: The Truth
behind Native American Gaming Investment in education.
Native College Students demand support for their University in return for
endorsements of Prop 95-97 from Native Gaming billionaires.
What: Rally/Press Conference to demand real investments in education,
health, and land from CNIEGA and The State of California for all Native Peoples.
When: February 1st, 2008 1pm
Where: Speakers at the Capitol Steps and protest at CNIGA Headquarters 1515
L St. Suite 1080 Sacramento, CA 95814
Co-sponsored by: The Indigenous Peoples Media Project of POOR
Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork, The United Native Americans (U.N.A)
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, € ¢â’ ’¼A mind is a terrible thing to waste.€ ¢â’ ’½
Education is a right of all people. That€ ¢â’ ’¹s what the majority of politician€ ¢â’ ’¹s
like to say. But when California€ ¢â’ ’¹s only Tribal College and the nations first
indigenous controlled university, D-Q University (DQU), was shut down in 2004,
thousands of Native American€ ¢â’ ’¹s lost that right.
February 5th ballot legislation, Propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97, if passed,
would allow four of California€ ¢â’ ’¹s largest gaming tribes to add 17,000 new
slot machines to their casinos and generate approximately $1.5 billion a year in
new revenue. According to the propositions, up to 25% of this revenue would
be shared with the State and the remainder would be spent according to the
gaming tribes digression. California is expecting to reap more than $9 billion
in revenue in two decades if the propositions are passed and CNIGA has
promised every non-gaming tribe $1.1 million a year in assistance. In an industry
that brings approximately $7 billion in revenue in California a year, however,
this assistance is petty change and the gaming tribes can certainly afford
to offer DQU financial support.
D-Q University, located on 640 acres of land outside of Davis, opened as the
nation€ ¢â’ ’¹s first indigenous controlled higher learning institution outside a
reservation in 1970. The school has not only become an important gathering
place for Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder
gatherings, Powwows, ceremonies, and festivals, it has also become many native
students only accessible and affordable option for higher learning. DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s
curriculum is centered on empowering indigenous people and educating a generation
of youth to look at, analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples
today, learning to live off the land. Tribal education equals tribal
sovereignty.
In 2004 DQU closed it€ ¢â’ ’¹s doors after losing it€ ¢â’ ’¹s accreditation and spiraling
into financial turmoil. Students, who were unaware of the school€ ¢â’ ’¹s closure
until after they arrived on campus at the beginning of the term, formed an
occupation with the faculty and have occupied the land ever since, demanding the
school€ ¢â’ ’¹s reopening.
It isn€ ¢â’ ’¹t that the money isn€ ¢â’ ’¹t available among California€ ¢â’ ’¹s Native American
tribes to support the school. Billions of dollars are generated every year
from gaming and casino revenues and gaming tribes are at liberty to decide how
this money is used. California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA),
which monitors and represents gaming tribes, asserts that Indian tribes are
using gaming revenue to build houses, schools, and fund health care and education
for their people, but when it comes to funding California€ ¢â’ ’¹s only Tribal
College, CNIGA refuses to persuade the gaming tribes to donate money.
€ ¢â’ ’¼The question we have as students and former students is why? For my people,
the Lakota people, if someone is at your house you offer them a glass of
water or something to eat. No one goes hungry in our tribe,€ ¢â’ ’½ says Quanah
Brightman, vice president of the United Native Americans (U.N.A.) and former DQU
student. € ¢â’ ’¼The only way for indigenous people to become a sovereign nation is for
Indian gaming abroad to start giving money to other communities. To become
one nation.€ ¢â’ ’½
DQU students are demanding an agreement from gaming tribes to fund DQU
annually to help ensure the school will have sufficient funding to operate.
Students are also asking that the tribes have one or more of their staff or board
help in the rebuilding of DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s infrastructure and restoring the school€ ¢â’ ’¹s
integrity. If these demands are met than DQU and it€ ¢â’ ’¹s students agree to endorse
Propositions 94-97, which would represent thousands of native students,
scholars, and families.
DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s long term goal is to reopen the school as a 4 year university so it
can have it€ ¢â’ ’¹s accreditation reinstated and become eligible to receive federal
financial aid.
€ ¢â’ ’¼We need money for new computers, to rebuild our dorms and building, and to
pay for qualified teachers. No one with a B.A. or M.A. is going to teach for
free,€ ¢â’ ’½ says Brightman, € ¢â’ ’¼We have money to built jails but no money for
schools!€ ¢â’ ’½
California Indian Gaming Association
1415 L Street Suite 1080
Sacramento, California 95814
To Mr. Acebedo:
We are writing you as representatives from the only Tribal College in
California to offer our powerful endorsement of your attempt to garner votes for
Proposition 94-97. We know that your intention is to support tribal educational
opportunities for native residents of California but as of yet you have
ignored our requests for funding and support.
DQ-University, California's only Tribal University was Founded in 1970 after
the federal government gave 640 acres of land to a group of Native Americans
and Chicanos whose goal was to start the nation's first indigenous
controlled university outside a reservation. When DQ opened it's doors, it represented
the first time diverse groups of native people of North America successfully
worked together on a project, despite language and cultural differences.
In 1978, under Indian Control, DQU began setting a precedent as the only
Tribal college in California, becoming a university for all indigenous and
native people. Significantly, it also became an important gathering place for
Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder gatherings,
Powwows, ceremonies, festivals, concerts, and other events. DQ-University has
graduated many Native American and Chicano students who have gone on to work
in public, private and tribal sectors. DQU has been a viable source of higher
education for individuals who would otherwise have no access to the brighter
future that indigenous education can Provide.
In 2004, DQU lost accreditation through the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC). In the Midst of a Financial Crisis and $270,000 in dept,
the school was forced to close. DQU students arriving at the campus for the
new term were unaware of the crisis. Armed with determination of attaining
their education and Loyalty to DQU, the students formed an occupation of the
campus and here they wait for the re-accreditation and reopening of their
university.
The gaming industry brings in approximately $7 Billion per year in revenue.
The students and allies of DQU challenge CNIGA and the gaming tribes of
California to Honor your commitment to use gaming revenue to fund education
programs and support DQU. CNIGA's website claims, "Indian tribes are using gaming
revenue to build houses, schools...to fund the health care and education for
their people," however, CNIGA has consistently ignored DQU's pleas for
financial support.
If indigenous education is indeed a priority for gamin tribes, then higher
education is surely a part of the equation. DQU offers an accessible location
and reasonable tuition for all native peoples. DQU curriculum focuses on
empowering indigenous people and educating a generation of youth to recognize,
analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples today.
DQ-University ask that CNIGA agree to honor their commitment to education
with a minimum budget of $3-5 Million per semester to ensure that DQ has
sufficient funding for the reconstruction of the existing dorms and buildings,
general operating expensive, purchase of new computers, educational supplies and
equipment for specialized programs and the employment of qualified educators
and staff. In addition to financial support, we request one or more
individuals from the staff or board of the gaming tribes assist DQU with rebuilding
the infrastructure and restoration of the integrity of the school. DQU's goal
is to open as a 4-year accredited university and become eligible once again to
receive federal financial aid. It is our intent to be known as the "Haskell
of the West".
Proposition 94,95,96 and 97 promise to add an additional 17,000 slot
machines to California's casinos and generate approximately $1.5 Billion a year more
in revenue. DQU and its allies will not only endorse these propositions
unless CINGA and the four top gaming tribes of California agree to support DQU
and the education native people throughout California.
If CNIGA agrees to support DQ-University, honoring their commitment to
support education, DQU and its alllies will offically endorse Propositions 94-97.
In addition to the requests above, DQ-University asks for financial support
as we strive to set a precedent to transform DQU into a 'green' campus. As
the only Tribal college in the state of California, we can become the model of
self-sustaining campuses by utiizing alterantive energy through solar and
wind power. We also request funding for our Indigeous Permaculture Program,
including organic gardens where we will grow and reap the benefits of healthy
foods as we learn techniques of sustainablee living; techniques and practical
skills that we can take back to our communities and tribes. It is also
essential for us to revitalize Indigenous culture and tradition, and to study at a
tribal college where diversity is celebrated.
Our endorsment would reprsent thousands of native college students, scholars
and their families. We believe this to be fair and equitable agreement for
the betterment of all Native People of California. We need to receive a
promise of financial support and agreeemnet to a meeting by Monday, January 28th @
5pm to give our endorsement. Please Contact Lehman Brightman at (510)758-8160
Lehman Brightman, Founder and President of United Native Americans,Inc.
Professor of Native American Studies, History and Sociology
Quanah Parker Brightman, Vice-President of United Native Americans,Inc.
and Students of DQ-University
-----
Contributed by Michael Grant
From: United Native Americans,Inc.
Date: Jan 23, 2008 3:57 PM
Press Contacts:
Lisa Gray-Garcia, POOR Magazine, (510) 435-7500 (415) 863-6306
Quanah Brightman, United Native Americans Inc , (510) 672-7187
Amanda Smiles, POOR Magazine: (415) 863-6306, 808-987-7239 (cell)
For Immediate Release:
Propositions 94-97, Native American College Students reveal: The Truth
behind Native American Gaming Investment in education.
Native College Students demand support for their University in return for
endorsements of Prop 95-97 from Native Gaming billionaires.
What: Rally/Press Conference to demand real investments in education,
health, and land from CNIEGA and The State of California for all Native Peoples.
When: February 1st, 2008 1pm
Where: Speakers at the Capitol Steps and protest at CNIGA Headquarters 1515
L St. Suite 1080 Sacramento, CA 95814
Co-sponsored by: The Indigenous Peoples Media Project of POOR
Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork, The United Native Americans (U.N.A)
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, € ¢â’ ’¼A mind is a terrible thing to waste.€ ¢â’ ’½
Education is a right of all people. That€ ¢â’ ’¹s what the majority of politician€ ¢â’ ’¹s
like to say. But when California€ ¢â’ ’¹s only Tribal College and the nations first
indigenous controlled university, D-Q University (DQU), was shut down in 2004,
thousands of Native American€ ¢â’ ’¹s lost that right.
February 5th ballot legislation, Propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97, if passed,
would allow four of California€ ¢â’ ’¹s largest gaming tribes to add 17,000 new
slot machines to their casinos and generate approximately $1.5 billion a year in
new revenue. According to the propositions, up to 25% of this revenue would
be shared with the State and the remainder would be spent according to the
gaming tribes digression. California is expecting to reap more than $9 billion
in revenue in two decades if the propositions are passed and CNIGA has
promised every non-gaming tribe $1.1 million a year in assistance. In an industry
that brings approximately $7 billion in revenue in California a year, however,
this assistance is petty change and the gaming tribes can certainly afford
to offer DQU financial support.
D-Q University, located on 640 acres of land outside of Davis, opened as the
nation€ ¢â’ ’¹s first indigenous controlled higher learning institution outside a
reservation in 1970. The school has not only become an important gathering
place for Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder
gatherings, Powwows, ceremonies, and festivals, it has also become many native
students only accessible and affordable option for higher learning. DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s
curriculum is centered on empowering indigenous people and educating a generation
of youth to look at, analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples
today, learning to live off the land. Tribal education equals tribal
sovereignty.
In 2004 DQU closed it€ ¢â’ ’¹s doors after losing it€ ¢â’ ’¹s accreditation and spiraling
into financial turmoil. Students, who were unaware of the school€ ¢â’ ’¹s closure
until after they arrived on campus at the beginning of the term, formed an
occupation with the faculty and have occupied the land ever since, demanding the
school€ ¢â’ ’¹s reopening.
It isn€ ¢â’ ’¹t that the money isn€ ¢â’ ’¹t available among California€ ¢â’ ’¹s Native American
tribes to support the school. Billions of dollars are generated every year
from gaming and casino revenues and gaming tribes are at liberty to decide how
this money is used. California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA),
which monitors and represents gaming tribes, asserts that Indian tribes are
using gaming revenue to build houses, schools, and fund health care and education
for their people, but when it comes to funding California€ ¢â’ ’¹s only Tribal
College, CNIGA refuses to persuade the gaming tribes to donate money.
€ ¢â’ ’¼The question we have as students and former students is why? For my people,
the Lakota people, if someone is at your house you offer them a glass of
water or something to eat. No one goes hungry in our tribe,€ ¢â’ ’½ says Quanah
Brightman, vice president of the United Native Americans (U.N.A.) and former DQU
student. € ¢â’ ’¼The only way for indigenous people to become a sovereign nation is for
Indian gaming abroad to start giving money to other communities. To become
one nation.€ ¢â’ ’½
DQU students are demanding an agreement from gaming tribes to fund DQU
annually to help ensure the school will have sufficient funding to operate.
Students are also asking that the tribes have one or more of their staff or board
help in the rebuilding of DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s infrastructure and restoring the school€ ¢â’ ’¹s
integrity. If these demands are met than DQU and it€ ¢â’ ’¹s students agree to endorse
Propositions 94-97, which would represent thousands of native students,
scholars, and families.
DQU€ ¢â’ ’¹s long term goal is to reopen the school as a 4 year university so it
can have it€ ¢â’ ’¹s accreditation reinstated and become eligible to receive federal
financial aid.
€ ¢â’ ’¼We need money for new computers, to rebuild our dorms and building, and to
pay for qualified teachers. No one with a B.A. or M.A. is going to teach for
free,€ ¢â’ ’½ says Brightman, € ¢â’ ’¼We have money to built jails but no money for
schools!€ ¢â’ ’½
California Indian Gaming Association
1415 L Street Suite 1080
Sacramento, California 95814
To Mr. Acebedo:
We are writing you as representatives from the only Tribal College in
California to offer our powerful endorsement of your attempt to garner votes for
Proposition 94-97. We know that your intention is to support tribal educational
opportunities for native residents of California but as of yet you have
ignored our requests for funding and support.
DQ-University, California's only Tribal University was Founded in 1970 after
the federal government gave 640 acres of land to a group of Native Americans
and Chicanos whose goal was to start the nation's first indigenous
controlled university outside a reservation. When DQ opened it's doors, it represented
the first time diverse groups of native people of North America successfully
worked together on a project, despite language and cultural differences.
In 1978, under Indian Control, DQU began setting a precedent as the only
Tribal college in California, becoming a university for all indigenous and
native people. Significantly, it also became an important gathering place for
Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder gatherings,
Powwows, ceremonies, festivals, concerts, and other events. DQ-University has
graduated many Native American and Chicano students who have gone on to work
in public, private and tribal sectors. DQU has been a viable source of higher
education for individuals who would otherwise have no access to the brighter
future that indigenous education can Provide.
In 2004, DQU lost accreditation through the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC). In the Midst of a Financial Crisis and $270,000 in dept,
the school was forced to close. DQU students arriving at the campus for the
new term were unaware of the crisis. Armed with determination of attaining
their education and Loyalty to DQU, the students formed an occupation of the
campus and here they wait for the re-accreditation and reopening of their
university.
The gaming industry brings in approximately $7 Billion per year in revenue.
The students and allies of DQU challenge CNIGA and the gaming tribes of
California to Honor your commitment to use gaming revenue to fund education
programs and support DQU. CNIGA's website claims, "Indian tribes are using gaming
revenue to build houses, schools...to fund the health care and education for
their people," however, CNIGA has consistently ignored DQU's pleas for
financial support.
If indigenous education is indeed a priority for gamin tribes, then higher
education is surely a part of the equation. DQU offers an accessible location
and reasonable tuition for all native peoples. DQU curriculum focuses on
empowering indigenous people and educating a generation of youth to recognize,
analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples today.
DQ-University ask that CNIGA agree to honor their commitment to education
with a minimum budget of $3-5 Million per semester to ensure that DQ has
sufficient funding for the reconstruction of the existing dorms and buildings,
general operating expensive, purchase of new computers, educational supplies and
equipment for specialized programs and the employment of qualified educators
and staff. In addition to financial support, we request one or more
individuals from the staff or board of the gaming tribes assist DQU with rebuilding
the infrastructure and restoration of the integrity of the school. DQU's goal
is to open as a 4-year accredited university and become eligible once again to
receive federal financial aid. It is our intent to be known as the "Haskell
of the West".
Proposition 94,95,96 and 97 promise to add an additional 17,000 slot
machines to California's casinos and generate approximately $1.5 Billion a year more
in revenue. DQU and its allies will not only endorse these propositions
unless CINGA and the four top gaming tribes of California agree to support DQU
and the education native people throughout California.
If CNIGA agrees to support DQ-University, honoring their commitment to
support education, DQU and its alllies will offically endorse Propositions 94-97.
In addition to the requests above, DQ-University asks for financial support
as we strive to set a precedent to transform DQU into a 'green' campus. As
the only Tribal college in the state of California, we can become the model of
self-sustaining campuses by utiizing alterantive energy through solar and
wind power. We also request funding for our Indigeous Permaculture Program,
including organic gardens where we will grow and reap the benefits of healthy
foods as we learn techniques of sustainablee living; techniques and practical
skills that we can take back to our communities and tribes. It is also
essential for us to revitalize Indigenous culture and tradition, and to study at a
tribal college where diversity is celebrated.
Our endorsment would reprsent thousands of native college students, scholars
and their families. We believe this to be fair and equitable agreement for
the betterment of all Native People of California. We need to receive a
promise of financial support and agreeemnet to a meeting by Monday, January 28th @
5pm to give our endorsement. Please Contact Lehman Brightman at (510)758-8160
Lehman Brightman, Founder and President of United Native Americans,Inc.
Professor of Native American Studies, History and Sociology
Quanah Parker Brightman, Vice-President of United Native Americans,Inc.
and Students of DQ-University
-----
Contributed by Michael Grant