Although controversial, gambling in Mohawk reservations has often been promoted as a means to guarantee tribal self-sufficiency. The primary advocates of the practice often include the controversial Warrior Group/Society and elected chiefs. The traditional chiefs, on the other hand, tend to adopt a more reserved stance and discourage of the practice on moral grounds, asserting that it would corrupt the tribe and give rise to organized crime. Also, such conflicts have often been connected with religious divisions in that while traditional chiefs side with the Longhouse culture and practice consensus-democratic values, the Warrior Society believes the culture is obsolete today and has even gone ahead to assert its independence (Bonvillain 19).…show more content… Regis Mohawk Tribe. The deal permitted the tribe to engage in gambling, including games, like roulette, craps, baccarat, and blackjack, on the St. Regis Reservation under the IGRA (Indian Gaming Reservation Act). The terms of the compact stipulated that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission, as well as the New York State Police and the State’s Racing and Wagering Board, would oversee the games. Thus, the state police undertook law enforcement duties but left some policing matters to the tribe. The US Interior Department approved the compact before it took effect in line with the IGRA requirements. Several amendments and extensions were made to the compact although the Interior Department did not approve each one of them. Although the New York Appeal’s Court voided the compact in 2003 because of the former New York Governor Mario Cuomo’s unauthorized involvement in the deal, it was again ratified with some minor changes on 19 October 2004 after Governor George Pataki signed newly passed bill that declared the compact as nunc pro tunc (Bonvillain
