The Santee have also received thousands of dollars from other tribes and groups. Tribal chairman Butch Denney pledged to keep the casino open despite federal efforts to shut it down. ''I have vowed that I will never order this casino closed,'' Denney said. We will continue the fight. They must recognize us as a sovereign nation and stay the hell off our land. Tribal officials have barricaded the casino before and say they expect a federal raid.
Tribal leaders say they are prepared to be jailed for their defiance.
We can't go on in poverty all our lives. Tribal business manager Roger Trudell said the casino not only provides jobs but helps retire tribal debts and benefit tribal health care, youth programs and other tribal needs. The casino runs games Nebraska does not allow, and the tribe has not worked out a gambling compact with the state. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case last month, and U.S. Attorney Tom Monaghan wants the tribe to shut down the illegal games. Since the confiscation, the tribe has hidden its casino money from the government, and casino patrons cannot write checks.