Abstract This paper examines how through a group of seven native women, Tomson Highway's "The Rez Sisters" portrays themes of empowerment and community development. It looks at how a group of six native women, all sisters in one way or another, develop from the animosity of bickering "bitches" to a close community, tied together by their gender, circumstances and ancestry. It explores how through their journey to The Biggest Bingo in the World the women are empowered to achieve a common goal, taking responsibility for themselves and for each other.
From the Paper "United with a common goal they are then faced with a common problem. Emily points out they "are all welfare cases" and have no money (58,59). They turn to Pelajia, who does have some money, to help (59). Pelajia suggests they apply to the band office to ask the chief for a loan to fund their trip because the winnings could go towards paving the roads and solving all the problems of the band (59). The "grand and ridiculous march" to the band office that encompasses the entire stage, is the women's first surge of communal energy and self-empowerment (60, Pell paper). Again, Nanabush, the spirit of Native Culture, trails merrily along with the women as they march (60). Elated by their newfound empowerment the women are shocked at the chief's refusal (60)."
Abstract This paper examines how the story "The Bingo Van" by Louis Erdrich is about a teenager who has an amazing healing talent and how Lipsha, the young man is eventually blinded by his arrogance and selfishness and develops into a self-centered person, the complete opposite of what he is supposed to be. In comparison, It looks at how Evelyn, the antagonist of Charles Johnson's "China" is very much like what Lipsha turns into. Evelyn's husband Rudolph decides to better himself and enrolls in martial arts classes. Consequently he becomes more focused in the "fullness of emptiness" which makes Evelyn furious and her self centered personality overt. It shows how these two protagonists' personalities, and philosophies have a lot in common.
From the Paper "Johnson's China is told in a limited omniscient point of view, which means that the reader is allowed to see only what the narrator allows. On the other hand Lipsha is the narrator in the Bingo Van. The reader must realize that he or she is limited only to the narrators thoughts. For example, in the China story a reader is very influenced by what its narrator actually tells. One opinion can be that the narrator can be someone that favors Evelyn. Because the story includes deeper thoughts on behalf of Evelyn that those of Rudolph. In the beginning of the The Bingo Van, Lipsha describes his opinion about his grandma Lulu and her other grandkids. By this point of view the reader is sole influenced by the narrator's feelings, emotions, and views. "
Abstract This paper looks at the history of the involvement of Indian tribes in Michigan's gaming industry, government involvement in the industry, and relevant laws enacted. The paper also considers the impact the Indian tribes and their connection to the gaming industry has had on the political scene and the attempts of both political parties to woo the Indian vote by supporting the efforts of various tribes in maintaining and increasing their control of the gaming industry.
From the Paper "For long, the gaming industry in Michigan has been influenced by the Indian tribes and their constant demands. Over time, regulatory bodies have promulgated various laws detailing gaming procedures and conduct. With the passage of time, the legislature has been from time to time modified so as to accommodate the various demands of Indian tribes. Of late, efforts have been made to usher in public casinos. This has had its serious share of repercussions. In the bargain, public legislative and regulatory bodies have had to perform a balancing act satisfying both advocates of Indian gaming and public gaming outfits. While this has caused a storm in the tea cup, it has also been responsible for steady erosion of the Indian support towards the public legislature. On the whole the economy has due to this move, had its share of fortunes and losses."
Abstract This paper discusses the many differences between male and female gamblers. It points out that more women gravitate to less competitive games where there is a larger element of luck such as bingo, casino slots, or video poker machines. It discusses how gambling problems have long been explored by psychologists as impulse control disorders characterized by an inability to resist impulses to gamble. Yet, gender differences among gambling preferences indicate that areas other than psychology, such as a sociological point of view, would prove helpful in explaining the gambling habits of women. This paper explores these social issues and describes implications for the need to incorporate social factors in the treatment of female gambling addicts. The findings indicate that women warrant both psychological and social considerations in their recovery process.
From the Paper "The male problem gambler usually has an outgoing, talkative, and gregarious personality. He often seems self-assured and in control. In sharp contrast, the female problem gambler is more often withdrawn, socially isolated, and suffering from extreme feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-worth. As a devastating consequence, women progress through the gambling continuum more rapidly than men. A man may gamble for years or decades before experiencing negative consequences directly related to gambling. But, a woman may have gambled for only a short time, perhaps just a few months and yet have already reached the desperation stage."
Abstract This paper discusses the Foxwoods Casino, owned and operated by the Pequot Indian Tribe in Connecticut, as detailed in the book "Revenge of the Pequots" by Kim Isaac Eisler. The author of this paper explains the history and politics -- both tribal and national -- behind the casino and its founder, Richard Skip Hayward.
From the Paper "While we drive through southern Connecticut towards east along I-95 we get to pass through the congestion of Bridgeport and New Haven and New London at the end of which it comes across as though we are surrounded in a region that is fully wild grown and it seems like we have entered wilderness. But this was before the 1980's when southeastern Connecticut had not developed as much as it has now and since the early 1980s southeastern Connecticut has turned into a clamorous, traffic-choked gambling Mecca that has reached its peak because of the establishment of Fox woods High Stakes Bingo and Casino which as described by the author is Kim Isaac Eisler is one of the most successful cash-producing enterprises in the world and "the most profitable casino in the history of the United States."
Abstract This paper examines the writings of Suzanne Morton. In her writing Morton mainly focuses on the roles of gender, the family, class, and social values. This focus is reflected in many of her publishing's such as: "Managing the Unmarried Mother", "Gender, Place and Region", and "To take an Orphan". Morton's strong focus on gender and class is heavily displayed in her book "At odds: Gambling and Canadians 1919-1969", which the author of this paper uses in order to examine Mortons' ideas and philosophy.
From the Paper "Throughout At Odds Suzanne Morton uses various sources, primary and secondary, in order to properly establish her ideas. Most commonly for primary support, I found that Morton uses newspapers, and magazines from the specific time period she is discussing. The newspaper Vancouver Sun was used an amplitude of times, as well as the popular Canadian magazine, Saturday Night, which was a strong supporter of elite racetracks and also the legalization of some smaller forms of gambling. The use of magazines and newspapers truly shows how gambling was such a common issue. This is very pertinent to the main thesis of the novel because it shows how gambling was about so much more than gambling itself, as it was discussed in common mediums. All the complex social issues that gambling related to made it a popular topic for debate, and general gossip."
