Wealthy Casinos Give Indians Powerful Political Voice

Oct. 2 -- It was more power politics than pow-wow as the National Congress of American Indians annual convention got underway in Sacramento Monday.

Some newfound wealth from tribal casinos is giving Indians a new voice in politics.

Indian gaming has given California tribes a seat at the table when it comes to the game of politics.

Since 2001, the state's top six tribes have contributed more than $93 million dollars to various political causes and candidates.

Joe Garcia, National Congress of American Indians: "The process has been defined. It's just that we had not been engaged until recently. And now that we are, it has proven to be very, very beneficial."

In 1997, before the state's Indian gaming initiative passed, the Palm Springs-based Agua Caliente tribe donated $6,000 dollars to political causes. In the past five years, they've put in nearly $25 million dollars.

Watchdog groups like Common Cause say that has been a jackpot for politicians and has paid off for the tribes.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former Colorado Congressman: "They're simply exercising their right that everybody else has done for years and years."

Exercising those rights has also translated in political power even with those who have not received campaign contributions.

In the 2003 recall election, then-candidate Schwarzenegger went after the tribes for not paying their fair share. This year, he's on their side.

Ned Wigglesworth, Common Cause: "Governor Schwarzenegger campaigned, in part, on the influence on gaming tribes here in California. Three years later, he turns around and introduces gaming compacts that would triple them in size."

But Indian gaming money doesn't always win, not if you have even bigger money and influence.

Powerful labor unions this summer were able to kill Governor' Schwarzenegger's proposals to expand gambling because the deals did not include collective bargaining rights for low-paid workers.

Chairman Milanovich says they're ready to financially help those politicians who supported their gaming expansion win their state races next month.

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