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Reporter's Notebook: Brenda Norrell

On the border, Tohono O'odham ask: 'Where are the casino millions going?'

Posted by Brenda Norrell - January 31, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Tohono O'odham living in the most desperate poverty ask: 'Where are the casino millions going?'

Tohono O'odham youths, pushed to the breaking point by the US military and Tohono O'odham police, too often have to choose between jail, hunger and leaving their homeland

By Brenda Norrell

SELLS, Ariz. -- Every week, Tohono O'odham friends call and say they have no money, no money for food, no money to heat their homes at night and no money for their elderly parents.
Every week, Tohono O'odham friends ask where are the millions going from the Tohono O'odham casinos. The crowds overflow at the Tohono O'odham's Desert Diamond Casino on the edge of Tucson, while the Tohono O'odham people continue to live in the most desperate poverty. It only takes a drive across Tohono O'odham land to see what is happening and what is not happening, in regards to poverty.
Now, a new $550 million casino is in the plans:
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/biz-topheadlines/278119.php
Where are the millions going? The Tohono O'odham Legislative Council has long been able to oppress its people with the heavy arm of Homeland Security, the National Guard and Tohono O'odham police.
Now, the militarization is worse. Tohono O'odham are stopped constantly without provocation and threatened and intimidated by the US Border Patrol, federal agents and Tohono O'odham police.
Tohono O'odham youths, pushed to the breaking point by the US militarization and police, too often have to choose between jail, hunger and leaving their homeland.
The Tohono O'odham Council does not allow outside reporters into its chambers for council sessions. In northern Arizona, the Navajo Nation Council welcomes press and even provides copies of resolutions. That does not happen in the Tohono O'odham Council chambers. Outside reporters are told to leave. The best that reporters can hope for when asking questions is to have their lives threatened for asking questions.
With no accountability, the Tohono O'odham people say this crime against humanity continues.

 

About Brenda Norrell

Personal Website
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

Biography

Brenda Norrell has been a news reporter in Indian country for 27 years. She is currently based in Tucson and covers Mexico, the U.S. borders and the West, focusing on Indigenous Peoples and human rights. She cohosted the five-month Longest Walk talk radio across America, with American Indians walking for sacred Mother Earth and publishes Censored News.

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Comments

I am a Tohono O'odham Youth

Submitted February 10, 2009 - 12:15 am by Jimmy M (not verified)
I am a Tohono O'odham Youth and I did live on the reservation until I was old enough to leave. I never felt as if I was oppressed or under the cruching grip of our Council. Some people choose to live a life of crime and end up paying for it. Some ghoose to leave and go to school (like me). I have to read about someones opinions about my homeland and our Council like this? Our casino millions are going towards our infrastructure and the development of our necessary services. I feel like the only people who complain and question this are the people who refuse to get a job and refuse to take responsibilty for themselves. We all have the opportunity to work and live. If you look at our tribal Job announcements and see the amount of openings available. you will see that some poeple refuse to try and prefer to make allegations and complaints towards our Tribal Council.

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