Following a “Ted-Talk” format, each student team presented their research about specific tribal and casino topics on December 11, 2013.

ECONOMICS:

“Use of Casino Revenues” by Nick Ziats, Spencer Lunda, Brandon Choate, and Jack Blaising discusses how tribes across America use casino revenues to contribute to communities on and off tribal reservations.  They looked at how tribes worked to expand business opportunities and also how they have demonstrated charity to one another.

“Tribal Economics” by David, John, Molly and Sean focuses on:  Different businesses and how they interconnect; businesses off the reservation; the Great Wolf Lodge and White River Amphitheater; and benefits for the tribes.

LEGAL:

“Indian Gaming and Tribal Sovereignty- The Casino Compromise” by Branden Berry, Tony Vo, Hallea Tse, Ellis Mcloughlin, and Mason Bernard focuses on the legal issues in regards to Indian gaming.

“History of Blood Quantum” explores the importance of tribal membership and how it is determined.

CULTURAL:

“Cultural Expression In and Around the Casino” by Sampson Fletcher, Kenya Chauche, and David Kennedy includes this introduction:  Gaming revenues have created new possibilities for natives to take control of their own public histories as expressions of cultural and political sovereignty. Casinos, museums, and cultural centers have become spaces for cultural self-representation. and casino funds have allowed many tribes to create and expand exhibitionary space for them to express their culture and publicly articulate their stories.

“Cultural Stereotypes” by Trevor Walker, Michael Hartvigson, Brandon Singh, and Timothy Hunt is a study of current events such as the Redskins naming controversy, the use of the Seminole Name by Florida State, and casinos as a form of resistance.

“Idle No More” by Chris, Daniel, Tiara, and Jasmine is about one of the largest indigenous mass movements in Canadian history.  It is an ongoing resistance to neocolonialism and a movement empowering indigenous communities to stand up for their lands, rights, cultures, and sovereignty.