MYTH: All Native Americans receive large sums of money from casino profits.

FACT:  Gaming has not significantly impacted the majority of Native Americans. Although there are a handful of profitable Indian-owned casinos in America that make headlines, nothing close to that type of success has been achieved by the Lakota Sioux.

Unlike the desolate location of Pine Ridge, the few tribal gaming operations that have experienced any level of success are small tribes located near major urban areas. These successful gaming operations have benefited the most from the gaming boom, generating 40% of all Indian gaming revenues. The remaining 175 tribal operations (including Pine Ridge) are only marginally profitable.

In addition the undesirable location, the small casino that does exist in Pine Ridge has little to offer compared the $100 million+ gaming industry that thrives just 100 miles north in Deadwood, South Dakota. Lands that the Lakota technically still owns, but were taken unlawfully.

MYTH: The American government provides provisions for adequate healthcare.

FACT:  The appropriation provided by the U.S. government is very small compared to the need. In most of the treaties between the U.S. government and Indian Nations, the U.S. government agreed to provide adequate medical care for Indians in return for vast quantities of land.

The Indian Health Services (IHS) was set up to administer the health care for Indians under these treaties, and does receive an appropriation each year to fund Indian health care. Unfortunately, the IHS is understaffed, ill-equipped and cannot possibly address the needs of the Indian communities. What medical facilities do exist provide either outdated or non-existent medical equipment. As a result, many residents live without health care due to vast travel distances involved in accessing that limited care.

Preventative health care programs are virtually non-existent, and there is little hope for increased funding in the future.

Source: NARF Publications, Dispelling the Myths About Indian Gaming.