First Nations Gaming Expo Ready To Roll

First Nations Gaming Expo Ready To Roll

Monday, August 24, 2009 at 12:47

Job creation is one achievement Saskatchewan’s First Nations chiefs and gaming experts will highlight this week at a gaming expo.

For the next two days, gaming experts from across North America will be at the Dakota Dunes Casino, exchanging ideas on how to make the industry stronger.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Lawrence Joseph says gaming has been hugely successful for First Nations people, because the industry has created jobs for many First Nations people.

“One of the things that is so frustrating in Saskatchewan is that we have been left behind as First Nations people, and continue to be left behind — not only in procurement opportunities, when people start up businesses, but also actually getting jobs in mainland Saskatchewan,” Joseph says.

Joseph says in the future he’d like to see the gaming industry move towards more First Nations control, but, he says, that would depend on the political climate.

The two-day expo will begin with a history of gaming, featuring traditional hand game demonstrations, and will move into discussions comparing First Nations gaming regulations in Canada and the United States.