Tribe doesn't understand opposition Oneida leaders expressed their views on the opposition to its gaming compact, while calling for more lobbying efforts By Christopher Clough News-Chronicle ONEIDA - Partisanship, ignorance, or out-and-out racism? Members of the Oneida Nation Business Committee, made up of its elected government officials, lauded Gov. Jim Doyle several times for vetoing an Assembly bill to give the State Legislature more say in negotiating and approving the tribe's gaming compacts with the state. But they also questioned the motives of those who want to take that control from Doyle. That came up at a public meeting during the Wednesday noon hour to update the community on progress in compact negotiations, attended by about 40 people. The informational meetings will be held each Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Norbert Hill Center until the compact is finalized and signed. They are open to the public. The compact between the Oneida and the state has been agreed on in principle but not signed. Chairwoman Tina Danforth said she hopes to have a final, signed agreement in early April, with the current compact expiring May 8. Danforth opened by saying tribal gaming operations are a sovereign right, and its revenues fund government services and create jobs and growth for non-tribal members and communities along with the tribe and its members. She then noted the tribe, and the other 10 tribes with gaming operations in Wisconsin, have conducted previous compact negotiations directly with Republican Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum in past years, as it is doing now with Democratic governor Doyle. "We have always conducted our negotiations on a sovereign to sovereign basis," Danforth said. "In the end, these compacts will benefit Wisconsin and the tribes within its borders far more than if we negotiated with 132 people (Legislature members), each with a unique agenda." Danforth said she felt the problems some legislators are having with the compacts stem from the partisan politics that have plagued activities in the State Capitol recently. "It is our hope we can complete this process (negotiating the compact)," she said, "against the backdrop of cooperation and not the cacophony of a political power struggle. The partisan politics ... has strained relations between our tribal nations and some legislators. "We are appalled at their lack of understanding of our rights and the name calling. We are surprised fiscally conservative Republicans would sacrifice money from Indian gaming just to claim victory against the governor and further limit our sovereignty. And like our fellow Wisconsin citizens, we are tired of their lack of focus on the critical issues which face our state." The partisanship problem was echoed by tribal treasurer Trish King. "Unfortunately we are a pawn in a political game between Republicans and Democrats," she said. Much of the opposition to the proposed compact has focused on its apparent perpetuity, with some claiming the tribe can do whatever it wants with its gaming because the compact has no expiration date. Council member Vince De La Rosa argues against that idea, saying the open-ended agreement is normal for other Wisconsin businesses. "Long term business relationships are normal in this state," he said. "This attempt to extend the nonrenewal clause will truly compromise our ability to do business." Tribal secretary Julie Barton added that the perpetuity issue is moot because gaming operations are subject to state and federal regulations and can be shut down if the regulations are violated. She also said some legislators had a lot to learn about tribal and gaming issues. "I was appalled to hear people who represent you with ignorance," she said, "spewing out information without any basis in fact. There's no reason for them to be ignorant about us, or about gaming issues." Council member Paul Ninham said prejudice against the tribe might be coming into play in the Legislature. "I look at (the Assembly bill) as extremely derogatory legislation," Ninham said. "(Legislative oversight of compacts) hasn't worked in Colorado, Arizona, Kansas or Nevada, and it's not going to work here. "Our nation is being held hostage by the Legislature. We've been running to Madison constantly in the past few weeks to lobby. I'm extremely disheartened by the racial tone this has taken on. They're likening this to the spearfishing controversy of the late '80s, and I don't think that's fair." "It's been hard being a Native American," King said, "faced with people who don't understand we're trying to do what's best for us, and the impact we have on their economies." Several committee members stressed the importance of having tribal members talk with assembly persons and explain the tribe's point of view. Council member Curtis Danforth said lobbying in Madison helped maintain Doyle's veto of the Senate version of essentially the same bill. "It was good to see a lot of tribal members participating, getting a sense of how the Legislature operates," he said. "(The Senate vote) showed your voice matters. My challenge to every person who went (to Madison) is, bring one more person with you next time." Tina Danforth said at the close of the meeting that the Assembly would not take action on Doyle's veto this week, and the Assembly floor would be closed until April 29.