Tribal Health Programs Win Big with Casino Profits

"These evening groups allow women who work to access this important information, network with other women, hear other stories and heal collectively from the abuse they have suffered," says Executive Director Judy Moody. "Because of this grant we have been able to provide consistent, ongoing support groups for over 600 women in Coos County."

The state of Oregon is also home to several other casinos that work through foundations to donate through tribal casinos. The Wildhorse Resort and Casino, in addition to establishing the Wildhorse Foundation in 2001, also operates a tribal health commission and the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center for those living in the area of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Public dissemination of just how casinos are reinvesting their earnings into the well-being of their communities is one important angle designed by casino marketing whizzes to allay the fears of those opposing the building or expansion of Native casinos across the country. For instance, a report issued on February 15 by the National Indian Gaming Association noted that tribal gambling has directly or indirectly created 553,000 jobs, mostly for non-Indians and that it generated $5.5 billion in federal taxes in 2004. Of course, not all the tribal health benefits from casinos are as stationary as the solid health clinics described above. A quick tour of how tribes post health information on the Internet shows another use of new funds: sophisticated, easily accessed information that allows patients and physicians to quickly find what they need.

With many tribes using casino funds to outfit reservation homes with computers, these facts are now easily accessible and increasing self-sufficiency amongst members who may be without needed resources. In this way, tribes connect their peoples to not only the world today, with its ever-changing facts and figures, but they also connect their members to healthier futures.