Somehow, since the passage of Proposition 1A, Native Americans have been cast as no longer a humble, responsible, community-oriented people. Instead, we have been relegated to casino tribes and casino barons, intent on skirting environmental and social obligations, corrupting the political process, and violating the public's trust.

These stereotypes have the potential to create a new type of intolerance that Native Americans have never experienced -- class envy.

I submit to you that the greatest threat facing California Native Americans is not Governor Schwarzenegger; it is not the state's attempt to extract 25% of our revenues; it is not compact negotiations; it is not even the deceptive Gaming Revenue Act; it is the stereotype that Native Americans are casino barons, flush with cash, and beyond government and public reproach.

"In watching trends around the country, it has become clear that the overall public perception of American Indians is being swayed by disinformation," Johnson said in his opening remarks. "This puts tribes at a disadvantage as these perceptions lead directly to the development of public policy."

"Media coverage prepares and reflects public policy and coverage which, today, is becoming unsympathetic, negative and politically damaging," agreed Barreiro. Citing California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's infamous "the Indians are ripping us off" quote, Barreiro said: "We need to respond in real time to immediately challenge the factual basis of such statements. Once a metaphor like that is cemented, it's hard to change."

In the 1980s, Indian-bashing was directed against a "poor" minority, using the type of prejudice previously reserved for African Americans. In the 2000s, Indian-bashing is directed against a supposedly "rich" minority, using a type of prejudice previously reserved for Jews.

Like European Jews, Native Americans have developed particular financial industries because they have been denied control over land, and left with other few economic options. And like the myth of the "rich Jew," the myth of the "rich Indian" implies that all tribal members are swimming in money. The truth is that most tribes are heavily in debt, cutting budgets, and still being shaken down by state governments.

In the 1980s, Indians were bashed for being on welfare, now they are being bashed for getting off welfare. The tribes have also reduced welfare caseloads and funded programs for their neighboring communities. Tribes are now the largest employers in at least eight [Wisconsin] counties, even employing some former anti-treaty protesters.

Whites are generally not criticized for gaining wealth from a lucrative industry. Yet somehow, Native Americans are expected to play by different rules, and not to lobby or contribute to politicians as white groups have done for decades.