Have the requirements and intent of the Indian Gaming Regulations Act been fulfilled in Minnesota?

Abstract

This paper will provide an in-depth look at a Minnesota reservation to see what conditions were like before casinos and what they are currently like. A strong and stable government like the one at Mille Lacs is the driving force behind a sustainable reservation. Data reports relating to education, employment, health, and human services conditions were used. Raw data from the Department of Education was also used to examine test scores of students at the Mille Lac Band’s Nay-Ah-Shing schools. This paper also intends to demonstrate how casino revenue must be distributed using the IGRA requirements and how tribes have attempted to meet the needs of their reservation by building community infrastructure and developing programs and services to meet the needs of tribal members living on and off the reservation.