How is life in and around Kamiah? (Fort Hall: credit card, casinos)

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

are there any Nez Perce owned and operated pawn shops in Lewiston for tourists to pawn their motor homes, diamond rings, watches and property so they can spend more in the large Nez Perce casinos? If not, they need to start some pawn shops. Possibly a Chief Thumpin'broke pawn shop.

why is it that many of the Nez Perce aren't all that friendly toward caucasian Americans? They also put on the Chief Lookinglass festival in Kamiah during August of every year. I don't have a clue what they do in Lewiston.

I don't know why. I've lived on or near the reservation my whole life and I don't really know why. I have alot of respect for their culture but not their current attitude.

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

I don't know why. I've lived on or near the reservation my whole life and I don't really know why. I have alot of respect for their culture but not their current attitude.

I am sure there are also some warm, sociable and friendly ones. if they want to continue to attract tourists and customers into their casinos, shops, etc., they have to act friendly.

[wildberries61]

I have to agree with brutal attack. What I don't understand along with gambling brings alcoholics, bankruptcy,affairs,high divorce rate,child and spousal abuse and this is how they have decided to make an income. I realize they were put there but, times have changed, it is some of the most beautiful land with lots of history and there tourism would boom if they knew how to promote what they have.
They could hold more pow wows, Indian festivals (to teach the country about their culture), river trips,cave hunting, etc. Hey, if I were Native American I would have a business!!! If they think white man would pay for their land think of how much we would spend on indian history. I hear people that have drove the Lewis & Clark trail and only wish their was more information and things to do and see.
When we were looking up there we where warned about the reservations that whites were not very welcomed and the way they take care of there property dosen't show much pride. The last I new I believe garbage pick up comes once a week some seem to think out their back door is as far as it goes.
I diffently don't mean to sound racist but, we all have an equal chance and if you sit around long enough blaming everyone else for your sorrows you soon start to believe it yourself.
If you ever just want a beautiful drive it is worth the scenery.

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

I am sure there are also some warm, sociable and friendly ones. if they want to continue to attract tourists and customers into their casinos, shops, etc., they have to act friendly.

"Tourism" really isn't that big of market there. It mostly consists of sport fishermen and hunters. If you knew the inside story (I used to work for Idaho Fish and Game) you would realize how ugly the Tribe gets and how little regard they have for the white sport fisherman that spends millions of dollars on their reservation. I used to assist in negotiations with the Tribe on dividing up the salmon harvest.

There are some very nice and friendly ones, but the organization as a whole makes me ill sorry to say.

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by wildberries61

I have to agree with brutal attack. What I don't understand along with gambling brings alcoholics, bankruptcy,affairs,high divorce rate,child and spousal abuse and this is how they have decided to make an income. I realize they were put there but, times have changed, it is some of the most beautiful land with lots of history and there tourism would boom if they knew how to promote what they have.
They could hold more pow wows, Indian festivals (to teach the country about their culture), river trips,cave hunting, etc. Hey, if I were Native American I would have a business!!! If they think white man would pay for their land think of how much we would spend on indian history. I hear people that have drove the Lewis & Clark trail and only wish their was more information and things to do and see.
When we were looking up there we where warned about the reservations that whites were not very welcomed and the way they take care of there property dosen't show much pride. The last I new I believe garbage pick up comes once a week some seem to think out their back door is as far as it goes.
I diffently don't mean to sound racist but, we all have an equal chance and if you sit around long enough blaming everyone else for your sorrows you soon start to believe it yourself.
If you ever just want a beautiful drive it is worth the scenery.

I don't know of one tribal buisness that does those kinds of "ecotourist" acitivities. That would be a great idea. Mostly, tribal members take scab work in construction and government agencies because tribal law forces contractors to hire a certain amount of tribal members if they do work on the reservation. Or they work at the casino.

You're right, there is a problem with crime (alcoholism in particular) and garbage in the reservation "projects". The projects are much better than they used to be though. I remember some really disgraceful things like elk hides and elk heads tossed on their roofs to rot....

[wildberries61]

Is it their hate for the white man? What is the problem with spending money on their land? I know of a few people around that actually plan trips to spend their money in the casino I guess if your gambling and drinking they may be making more money off of those people.
As for the elk deal the ranchers here do the same with sheep I was very suprised one time driving by a large well known ranch here run by white folk and was during sheeping season that was disgusting. Now that more people are moving in and they are selling most of their land it has cleaned up. I guess every town has its problems you do have to ask question when you move to small towns even Cali has this problem you do not want to just move in anywhere it could be like Kooskia.

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

"Tourism" really isn't that big of market there. It mostly consists of sport fishermen and hunters. If you knew the inside story (I used to work for Idaho Fish and Game) you would realize how ugly the Tribe gets and how little regard they have for the white sport fisherman that spends millions of dollars on their reservation. I used to assist in negotiations with the Tribe on dividing up the salmon harvest.

There are some very nice and friendly ones, but the organization as a whole makes me ill sorry to say.

BrutalAttack, thanks for your input based on actual experience. Maybe the Nez Perce feel that the white man is closing in on them again and they become overly defensive due to the presence of sport fishermen and hunters.....an 'us' against 'them' kind of mental and emotional psyche.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by wildberries61

Is it their hate for the white man? What is the problem with spending money on their land? I know of a few people around that actually plan trips to spend their money in the casino I guess if your gambling and drinking they may be making more money off of those people.
As for the elk deal the ranchers here do the same with sheep I was very suprised one time driving by a large well known ranch here run by white folk and was during sheeping season that was disgusting. Now that more people are moving in and they are selling most of their land it has cleaned up. I guess every town has its problems you do have to ask question when you move to small towns even Cali has this problem you do not want to just move in anywhere it could be like Kooskia.

Don't know if other areas allow it, but merely wanted to point out that the casinos on Fort Hall reservation do not allow alcohol, nor do they serve it. It's firewater!!

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Don't know if other areas allow it, but merely wanted to point out that the casinos on Fort Hall reservation do not allow alcohol, nor do they serve it. It's firewater!!

whoever heard of a gambling casino without liquor? if they are going to have 'vice' at the Fort Hall reservation, they may as well go the full Nine and One-Half yards.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

whoever heard of a gambling casino without liquor? if they are going to have 'vice' at the Fort Hall reservation, they may as well go the full Nine and One-Half yards.

Last time I went to Table Mountain in CA, north of Fresno, they didn't allow or serve alcohol either.