Gambling provides income, but what about Native Americans’ health?

April 25, 2018 11:28 AM
  • Nick Sortal, CDC Gaming Reports
April 25, 2018 11:28 AM
  • Nick Sortal, CDC Gaming Reports

“I auditioned for that TV show ‘Survivor,’ but they rejected me,” comic Larry Omaha began. “When I told them I grew up on an Indian reservation, they said I had too much experience.”

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For many, casino revenues have ended a way of Native American living that Omaha and others can now laugh about. A profitable casino today means that tribal members’ immediate needs are taken care of, and their lives are manageable, possibly even the most prosperous they have ever been.

But Omaha and two fellow comics are helping with the next step for many Native Americans: healthier lives. On the Thursday night of the 2018 National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Convention and Tradeshow, the three noted comics – Omaha, Ernie Tsosie, and Howie Miller – appeared at a fundraiser, the fourth annual Native Strong Comedy Slam.

“The message is clear. We have to have a healthier Native American community,” NIGA President Ernie Stevens Jr. said. “It’s more than just getting away from alcohol, drugs, and violence. We have to spread the message that we can do better.”

One important mechanism to advance that movement is the Notah Begay III Foundation, created by Indian country’s most successful professional golfer. “We started in 2005 with simply an interest in serving kids. For me, I would love for Indian people not to have the shortest lifespan in America. I’m going to keep working my ass off until it’s done,” said Begay, a four-time PGA tour winner and NBC golf announcer.

The Notah Begay III Foundation’s focus is reducing Native American childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes through the development of evidence-based health and physical activity programs, strategic grant-making, research, and advocacy. Interestingly, both Tsosie, a Navajo, and Miller, a First Nation descendant of the Cree Nation, joked about being overweight.

“I hate to use the word epidemic, but we are facing an epidemic of childhood diabetes in our country and especially in Indian country,” said Justin Hueneman, president and CEO of the foundation. Added Stevens: “We’ve come a long way, but we still have a ways to go, and this is something we can get better at.”

Over 140 tribal leaders and gaming executives attended the event Thursday night, with many other companies making financial donations. Since 2005, the NB3 Foundation has invested $2.3 million in about 60 native communities in 14 states across the country, implementing data-driven, community-led strategies to address childhood obesity. The foundation has also invested $7 million in direct service programming.

Raving Consulting, a gaming and hospitality firm, organized the event. “As a native-owned company we are committed to creating a healthier future for our children. The tribal gaming industry is a powerful resource and together we can make a difference in improving the lives of Native American communities,” said Raving’s CEO Deana Scott. For the last 20 years, Raving has partnered with over 130 tribal nations and enterprises and 65 commercial properties along with First Nations throughout Canada.

At the Native Strong Comedy Slam, patrons got their money’s worth. Tsosie entertained with observations about family and Indian life. Miller joked about being Canadian, riffed on medical procedures, and offered up impressions of Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Donald Trump singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” The comedians also gave a shout-out to former Los Angeles Laker basketball player A.C. Green, who runs a youth foundation that encourages Native Americans to play sports.

Green, sipping on a bottled water and looking as fit at 54 as he did when he won three championship rings with the Lakers, could be Exhibit A for healthy living. He still has the habits that helped him set the NBA record for consecutive games played — 1,192.

Tribal leaders don’t need a goal of creating pro golfers or NBA champion players. They just have help their communities to make lifestyle adjustments so that ensuing generations are healthy. Considering the mammoth challenges many Native Americans have overcome in the last century or so, this one shouldn’t be viewed as insurmountable.