Star Tribune Editorial: A better bet/deal with northern tribes first

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's attempt to get a share of Indian gambling dollars flowing into state coffers took him to the White Earth Chippewa reservation in northwestern Minnesota on Thursday. It was a smart turn.

That trip, and the words spoken that day, represent a marked improvement over the tactic the governor was employing three months ago. In October, Pawlenty demanded a huge chunk of Indian casino revenues -- $350 million a year -- and broadly hinted that if it was not forthcoming, Las Vegas casino competition would be allowed in the state.

On Thursday, the governor's message and tone were much more respectful -- and the three tribes represented responded in kind. Their public comments were replete with references to understanding, cooperation and partnership.

Of course, they are only three of the state's 11 casino-operating native bands -- the most populous, the most plagued by poverty and the least able to prosper by operating casinos on their remotely located reservations.

For several years, two of the bands, White Earth and Red Lake, have sought the Legislature's permission to set up their slots where the real money is -- the Twin Cities. They are willing to share their profits with the state to get it. This year, their plea has been joined by the Leech Lake band, the third tribe represented at Thursday's meeting.

Pawlenty continued to express a preference last week for obtaining a slice of revenue for the state from the casinos already operating in Minnesota. He has good reason for that preference. Casino gambling is not a socially benign enterprise. Its spread would scar more Minnesotans' lives and alter Minnesota's culture in undesirable ways. Obtaining a reasonable payment -- much less than $350 million a year -- from the tribes, in exchange for a promise that no non-Indian casinos will be allowed in the state, would be a deal worth making.

That's a deal that to date has eluded Pawlenty, at least in part because of his ham-handed demand for cash. Pursuing it now requires a fresh start and, most likely, a fresh bargaining team. Pawlenty would do well to appoint a panel of respected Minnesotans to pursue the possibility of a new bargain with the tribes.

But by looking at the northern reservations, Pawlenty is also taking note at something all Minnesotans should see: Casino gambling, as now configured, isn't giving a majority of this state's native people the economic opportunity they deserve. It's a cruelly unfair development tool, allowing a few to become fabulously wealthy while leaving most behind.

State government has risen repeatedly to the task of reducing disparities between rich and poor in this state, to the benefit of schools, colleges, cities and more. The tribes may be separate nations, but they are Minnesotans too. Poverty at Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake is a Minnesota concern.

A joint state-northern tribes casino might be one way -- but is certainly not the only way -- for the state to move toward more equal opportunity for a good life, for all Minnesotans. Pawlenty is right to explore the option.