All About Native American Reservations
There are about 2 million Native Americans in America today. Most of them have moved to urban areas, but a good number of them live in reserves. Reserves were set aside for Native Americans to extend some privileges and allow them some measure of self-governance.
In 1851, the government passed a law which allowed for the existence of the Indian Reserves. They were meant to help improve relations between the native Indians and European settlers. During this time the reserves were moved out of the trade routes established by the government. This created another problem because they isolated the native Indians from economic activities that would have taken them out of poverty. This isolation also affected tourism which could have attracted many tourists who would like to experience their culture first hand. The Native Americans reservations being out of reach of the tourist this was not possible.
In the 1930s the government began investing in infrastructure in order to help the Native Indian communities. Despite these efforts, poverty levels failed to go down. The level of crime, alcohol abuse and crime in general continued to rise. Reports show that Indian reserves have the highest levels of poverty in the country. The living conditions in these reserves have been compared to those in third world countries. The infant mortality rates are high. Alcohol abuse is the highest in the country and is responsible for most deaths in the Indian reserves.
Gaming has been a part of the Native Indian community for many years now. In the 1970s it was another area of conflict between the reserves and the Native Indians. The federal government tried to reign in the illegal gambling activities that were happening in the reserves. In 1988 congress passed a law that recognized the gaming halls in the reservations. During this time the Reagan administration tried to encourage the communities in these reserves to develop economic activities that would help reduce poverty.
Casinos and gaming halls have thrived in the Indian reserves. They are a source of employment for many Native Indians. The federal government has limited jurisdiction on these casinos and affairs of the reserves and this has allowed gaming to thrive in the reserves without unnecessary interference.
There are still some Native Indians who are skeptical about the benefits of these gaming halls and casinos. There are those who feel that the ordinary Indian has not benefited from the profits that they make. However there are many Casinos that have tried to reassure the residents by investing in hospitals and schools.
Casinos have evolved into resorts that now offer other services. Most resorts nowadays have spas and recreation facilities. The Challenge that faces many of these Indian Reservations is distance. Many of them are located far from where most Americans live. This has slowed down economic growth. However, the casinos have helped reduce the level of poverty and raise the standards of living for many Native Americans through employment and development of hospitals, schools and libraries.
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