UNM-G to host gaming forum Wednesday

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — With the scheduled opening of the Navajo Nation’s Fire Rock Casino later this month, students at UNM-Gallup are sponsoring a public forum on gaming this week.

The Native American Student Club at UNM-Gallup is hosting the gaming forum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Calvin Hall Center Auditorium. The public is encouraged to attend.

According to Rhianan M. Curley, president of the club, as of Saturday, three panel members have confirmed their appearance: Navajo Nation Vice-President Ben Shelly, Raymond Etsitty of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, and Steven Peretti, gambling counselor. W. Dale Mason, a political science associate professor at UNM-Gallup, will serve as moderator. Mason is the author of the book, “Indian Gaming: Tribal Sovereignty and American Politics.”

Gallup Mayor Harry Mendoza and two city councilors that Curley declined to name have also been invited, she said, but the NASC has not heard back from them yet. Although invited, the Navajo Nation Council Speakers Office will not be sending a representative, she added.

Curley said members of the student club decided to sponsor the forum as a way to promote a public discussion about the Fire Rock Casino and the issue of gaming. “We’re not for it, we’re not against it,” Curley said of the 65,000 square foot casino being built just a few miles east of Gallup.

Panel members will be asked some specific questions about the Fire Rock Casino and some general questions about Indian gaming, Curley explained. She expressed the hope that audience members will “get real answers” about both the positive and negative impact local residents can expect to see in the community from the casino.

Curley distributed flyers about the forum at the Gallup Flea Market on Saturday. She expressed the hope that many community members will attend the forum and will walk away with a little more knowledge about issues related to gaming and Native American-owned casinos.

Information: Rhianan M. Curley at (928) 206-4007 or NASC advisor Kim Simms at (505) 979-0035