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Answers to Chapter 513

"I remember there are several Native American tribes scattered throughout Massachusetts, don't you?" Ernst asked softly, his gaze falling on Massim.

Upon hearing this, Massim's face showed obvious surprise, wondering why the other party had suddenly turned the topic to Native Americans.

Isn't it said that casinos operate legally?

There doesn't seem to be any direct connection between the two, does there?

Despite his confusion, Massim nodded and answered truthfully, "That's right, there are indeed many Native American tribes in Massachusetts."

"In the Martha's Vineyard area, the Gayhead Wampanoag tribe lives; along the coast, there are traces of Massachusetts activity; in the Chappiquedike area, there is the Chappiquedike tribe's own territory; and near the Hudson River, the Mohican tribe lives."

"However, the most famous and well-known is the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe on Rhode Island. This tribe has the largest population among all the Indian tribes on the East Coast, with more than 3,000 people registered at the time. I think you should know about it."

Ernst had certainly heard of it, because the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe had been seeking recognition from the federal government.

However, he was unaware that there were so many people on the other side.

Very few people in Native American tribes are registered; perhaps 60-70% of them are registered. These individuals are generally the more worldly-wise type.

Under normal circumstances, it would be good if half the population could be registered.

Some Native Americans who still live primarily in tribal communities have less than 10% of their population registered.

They mainly earn their living by selling handicrafts to gift shops and perhaps everyday necessities.

Some of the wealthier Native American tribes even have their own shops.

Whether you're going out to sell goods or running a shop, you need an ID card, which is why these people register.

The Mashpi Wampanoag tribe has over 3,000 registered members, and their population may even exceed 10,000, which is quite a surprise.

This tribe claims to be the first to see the dawn. According to existing archaeological research, this tribe has lived in Massachusetts and its main territory in the eastern part of Rhode Island for more than 1.2 years.

Moreover, they were one of the tribes that helped the Mayflower pilgrims through their first winter and participate in their first Thanksgiving. However, their fate was unlike that of the Native American tribes in the Midwest, who were tragically wiped out.

The tribe has been working to gain federal recognition of its tribal sovereignty, and many prominent lawyers have been representing them in this legal battle for several years.

Don't assume that these lawyers are spending a lot of time and energy helping them with their cases because they have a change of heart or are just bored.

In fact, this involves a huge chain of interests.

Once the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe is recognized by the federal government, the federal government will designate a specific area of ​​land as the tribe's initial reservation in accordance with the law.

The size of this reserve is basically determined by the population. Based on the size of this tribe's population, it is conservatively estimated to be at least a thousand acres, and possibly even several thousand or tens of thousands of acres.

On this designated reservation, the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe will have full sovereignty, essentially making all the decisions, and possessing rights that even exceed the authority of individual U.S. states.

However, that's not the main point. Land is cheap in America, and this amount of land isn't enough to make these lawyers flock to it.

The key issue is compensation. Once their status is recognized, the federal government will need to provide the tribe with substantial funds as compensation, equivalent to the usage fees paid for occupying the tribe's land over the years.

It can be said that once recognized, the Mashpi Vanpanoyag tribe instantly went from being poor to being rich.

"The federal government, in a show of benevolence and under the guise of atonement, is providing these primitive tribes with corresponding welfare compensation. With such an obvious opportunity for benefit, why couldn't any of you see the potential for exploitation?"

Ernst felt a little regretful, wondering why these high-and-mighty Americans were so short-sighted.

Massim was getting confused by what he was saying, and his patience was wearing thin. He asked in a low voice, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Ernst ignored his impatient mood and slowly began, "In 1988, the United States passed the Indian Gambling Regulation Act. I'm curious why none of you paid attention to it?"

This law is actually one of the welfare policies provided by the federal government to these indigenous tribes; there are many similar welfare measures.

Seeing Massim's still confused look, as if he didn't understand the specifics of the law, he explained in detail, "The Indian Gambling Regulation Act clearly stipulates that any Indian tribe recognized by the federal government has the right to sign relevant agreements with the state government to open casinos. Furthermore, these casinos opened by Indian tribes are not subject to federal or state laws and have a great deal of autonomy in their operation."

After listening to Ernst's interpretation, Massim's previously confused eyes lit up instantly, and an excited expression appeared on his face. He had clearly realized the huge opportunities hidden behind this law.

However, soon after, a man who had come with him leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Massim's body, which had been trembling slightly with excitement, collapsed instantly, and the excitement on his face vanished without a trace.

Ernst had witnessed everything. He knew exactly what the man had whispered in Massim's ear, so he asked directly, "Are you saying that, according to regulations, these casinos run by Native American tribes can only be built within the original territory of the tribes, and that the opening of a casino requires the approval of a two-thirds majority vote of the local citizens?"

"Do you know how remote the territory of the Indian tribe is? And what does it have to do with Everett City?" Massim said irritably.

"Are you suggesting I, someone with money, go to some remote mountain forest to play Texas Hold'em? Are you kidding me?"

Ernst shook his head, glanced at Massim, then at the man who had come with him and had been whispering in his ear, and sighed, "How could this man be so stupid?"

Sensing the grim expressions on their faces caused by his words, Ernst chuckled and said in a relaxed tone, "From a historical perspective, the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe is an indigenous group that once helped the Mayflower pilgrims. As descendants of the Mayflower and people living on this land today, I believe we should do our best to help them."

"The federal government should recognize the legitimate status of the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe and give them the sovereignty they deserve. The people of Massachusetts should also actively support these descendants of the Indigenous people who once helped their ancestors and provide them with the necessary assistance for their development."

"Rhodes Island is indeed a nice place, and it has always been an important area of ​​activity for the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe."

"However, I believe that simply supporting Rhode Island is far from enough to fully demonstrate our sincerity towards Indigenous tribes. We should also designate a separate territory for these descendants of Indigenous people in an area closer to Boston, so that they can more easily integrate into life in a big city."

"In short, we should help them." Ernst nodded firmly. "Yes, that's exactly what we should do."

This time, both of them understood. The area near Boston was the land of Everett.

If this land in Everett could be designated as the new territory of the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe, then opening a casino on this land would become a logical step, and all previous obstacles would seem to be resolved.

As for the people of the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe, they would certainly be very willing as well.

First, Massachusetts helped them gain federal recognition; the power and influence of a state far surpasses that of those lawyers.

Then this land was a free bargain, and although they wouldn't get much profit from it, it was still a windfall.

Massim's eyes practically sparkled. "Then why bother with Rhodes Island? Why not just establish this territory in Everett City? It would make future expansion much easier for us."

Once the brand name of this complex is established, it can continue to expand outwards around that brand.

But now most of the land around is already owned. If you want to acquire land, why not take advantage of this opportunity to fleece the federal government?

If these lands are identified as part of the Mashpi Wampanoag tribe's territory, then legally, the original owners of these lands must relinquish them in accordance with relevant regulations.

As for how these landowners negotiate with the federal government, and what form the federal government will take to compensate them, that is a matter for the federal government to handle, and the final cost will be borne by the federal treasury.

They can reap the benefits without lifting a finger and acquire a large amount of land resources. Whether they cooperate with the Mashpi Wanpanoyag tribe to develop the land or buy a larger piece of land in exchange, the cost will not be high.

Ernst thought Massim was being a bit delusional; the Treasury's money wasn't something the Boston consortium could influence with its own power.

Even if we acquire other land in Everett now, once this complex is built, it will inevitably drive up the value of the surrounding land.

At that time, the land they hold will be enough to make them a fortune and bring them considerable economic returns.

However, these old money families seem to have long been accustomed to relying on the US government for their own benefit, like parasites, and their thinking has become very rigid and distorted, even to the point of being one-track-minded.

In their minds, as long as there is even the slightest possibility of getting something for nothing or without working for it, they will never be willing to take the initiative to pay the cost to gain benefits.

They would rather spend a lot of time and energy exploiting loopholes in laws and regulations than make a profit through normal business investment and operation.

Their approach simply doesn't work with the rapid development and changes brought about by the internet age.

While you're still figuring out how to get something for free, they've already swiftly acquired the land.

It's no wonder that these old-money families have declined as a whole, gradually being overtaken by new money and Jewish people, and unable to keep up with the times.