This article, called “The Ute Parallax,” is available on writer Jonathan P. Thompson’s blog here.
Excerpt:
Both Lester and off-the-record sources from within the tribal administration blame the lack of openness on what they call bad press in the past. When the outside press covers the Southern Utes, it tends to emphasize the various pitfalls of wealth, including political infighting. The implication is clear: The savages just can’t handle all that money any better than they can handle their liquor. What they fail to take into account is the fact that all the problems they associate with the newfound wealth – crime, drugs, alcohol, greed, loss of culture, corruption and political battles – existed before the money started pouring in, perhaps to a greater extent. Not only that, but all of the recalls, bitter politics, accusations of manipulation and the like mirror that of many a small town, whether it’s wealthy or not[15].
“When a tribe begins to see economic success, its members quickly demand accountability, a democratic institution not seen in today’s business climate (nor, it appears, in today’s democracy), and readily criticized by the business experts…” writes Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Michigan State University Indigenous Law Center, in his In Pursuit of Tribal Economic Development as a Substitute for Reservation Tax Revenue. “Such reportage evidences the focus of business papers on the limitations of tribal governments qua business owners because of their status as tribal governments qua governments.”
Turtle Talk 