First Nations Gaming in Canada

by Yale D. Belanger (Editor)

Overview

While games of chance have been part of the Aboriginal cultural landscape since before European contact, large-scale commercial gaming facilities within First Nations communities are a relatively new phenomenon in Canada. First Nations Gaming in Canada is the first multidisciplinary study of the role of gaming in indigenous communities north of the 49th parallel. Bringing together some of Canada’s leading gambling researchers, the book examines the history of Aboriginal gaming and its role in indigenous political economy, the rise of large-scale casinos and cybergaming, the socio-ecological impact of problem gambling, and the challenges of labour unions and financial management. The authors also call attention to the dearth of socio-economic impact studies of gambling in First Nations communities while providing models to address this growing issue of concern.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780887557231
Publisher:	University of Manitoba Press
Publication date:	02/15/2011
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.82(d)

About the Author

Yale D. Belanger is an associate professor in the department of Native American studies at the University of Lethbridge, and author of Ways of Knowing: An Introduction to Native Studies in Canada and Gambling with the Future: The Evolution of Aboriginal Gaming in Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Introduction 2

I Legal Historical Issues

1 Toward an Innovative Understanding of North American Indigenous Gaming in Historical Perspective Yale D.Belanger 10

2 The Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke and the Case for an Aboriginal Right to Gaming under the Constitution Act, 1982 Morden C. Lazarus Edwin D. Monzon Richard B. Wodnicki 35

3 Virtual Sovereignty: Exploring Canadian First Nations Internet Gambling Ventures Yale D. Belanger Robert J. Williams 52

II Socio-Economic and Research Considerations

4 A Framework for Assessing the Socio-economic Impacts of Gambling Robert J. Williams 78

5 Gambling Research in Canadian Aboriginal Communities: A Participatory Action Approach Harold J. Wynne 93

6 Exploring Gambling Impacts in Two Alberta Cree Communities: A Participatory Action Study Garry J. Smith Cheryl L. Currie James Battle 118

7 First Nations Gaming and Urban Aboriginal Peoples in Alberta: Does an Economic 'Fit' Exist? Yale D. Belanger 140

III Health

8 Gambling and Problem Gambling in North American Aboriginal Peoples Robert J. Williams Rhys M.G. Stevens Gary Nixon 166

9 Gambling Behaviours among Aboriginal Peoples: Indigenous and Critical Socio-Ecological Perspectives Sharon Yanicki David Gregory Bonnie Lee 195

IV Challenges and First Nations Gaming

10 First Nations Approach to Securing Public Trust: SIGA'S Corporate Response to the Dutch Lerat Affair, 2000-2004 Yale D. Belanger 228

11 Casino Rama: First Nations' Self-Determination, Neoliberal Solution, or Partial Middle Ground? Darrell Manitowabi 255

12 Labour Unions and First Nations Casinos: An Uneasy Relationship Yale D. Belanger 279

Selected Bibliography 302

Contributors 306

Editorial Reviews

First Nations Gaming in Canada is a useful and informative book that provides background on the historical, cultural, social, economic and regulatory development of First Nations games and gambling. This is a valuable reference book and a very useful guide to further literature.”

International Gambling Studies - Helen Breen

First Nations gaming is no longer a new phenomenon; however, academic analyses are still in a stage of infancy. With the innovative nature of this book, the foundation is now firmly in place to reconsider old assumptions, ask new questions, and stimulate additional research."

CHOICE Magazine - G. Bruyere