Activist urges business diversification

Scott Csernyik

11/29/2005 12:00:00 AM

The co-founder of the American Indian Movement visited the Isabella Reservation recently while he was in Michigan to address a Native American student organization.

"I'm very impressed with the size of this operation," he told Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council representatives. "I've had a chance to visit many reservations...taking care of your people is your business and the primary purpose is to take care of our own."

Dennis Banks, also known as a teacher, actor and author, is an Anishinabe born on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. He's probably best known for leading the 1973 occupation by militant American Indians of Wounded Knee, S.D., where, 83 years before, U.S. troops had killed a band of Lakota women and children.

With age comes a tempered wisdom and approach to life-something that Banks has obviously embraced. When asked what are some of the important issues facing Indian Country today, he responded with "land acquisition, as well as water quality and protection."

He also is cognizant of the fact that his Tribe-as well as other Nations involved in gaming-need to diversify their businesses in order to survive and provide for the people.

"The only thing our band has is the casino," he explained to Chief Audrey Falcon, Secretary Ruth Moses, Treasurer Charmaine Benz and District 1 Representatives Brenda Champlin, Fred Cantu and Mike Floyd Sr. "There are no new jobs or companies that we're bringing up or investing in.

"If gaming went out, our Tribe would be laying on its back."

Aside from other business endeavors that concern education and counseling, Banks runs a family-owned business that produces wild rice, maple syrup and smoked whitefish. Banks was in Michigan for a presentation to the Native American Indian Student Organization at Michigan State University.

"The young students at Michigan State University were the ones that recommended me coming here, not as much to gamble, but to look at the facility itself. I usually go to casinos and gamble.

"But after wandering around and looking at all of the artwork, I was in awe. You've got a lot of talent up here. You provide a lot of services to your people. I wished that our Tribe could come over and witness what your Tribe has accomplished."

Banks also talked to Tribal leaders about the then-upcoming general election and how brutal Indian politics can be.

"It's tough to represent your people," he said. "It's tough because you get stabbed in the back so many times. There's all this scar tissue built up because you have been stabbed so often.

"Indian politics in the worst. With some white man running for office...there is no accusations or insinuations. When one of our own people are running for office, �holy criminies.' I could never to do a day-to-day setting like this of being a political leader. I work on issues. It's good for me to see action and people going ahead to further their people. I feel good about it."

Falcon agreed with Bank's political assessment.

"Even though we have our disputes and fights, we seem to make progress," she stated.