For nearly four centuries, the history of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe was one etched in hardship and near-annihilation. From the arrival of English settlers and the devastating spread of smallpox to enslavement and dispersal, the tribe faced a relentless struggle for survival. By the 1970s, their numbers had dwindled to a mere few dozen individuals, eking out a meager existence in trailers on a small patch of woodland in Connecticut, their lives centered around rudimentary agriculture like lettuce farming and maple syrup production. Their future appeared bleak, a far cry from the prosperity and influence they would eventually wield.
The trajectory of the Mashantucket Pequot people took a dramatic turn with the advent of gambling. This transformation is most visibly embodied in the establishment and meteoric rise of Foxwoods Resort Casino, now recognized as the largest casino in North America. This gaming empire has propelled the tribe’s approximately 800 to 900 members into a realm of affluence unimaginable just a few decades prior. The lavish opening of the $700 million MGM Grand tower, an extension of the Foxwoods complex, was a testament to their newfound prosperity, marked by celebrations with champagne, tuxedos, and even fox furs, a stark contrast to their impoverished past.
However, the success story of the Mashantucket Pequot is not without its complexities and controversies. The tribe’s journey to wealth and influence has been shadowed by persistent questions regarding the authenticity of their tribal ancestry. Since achieving federal recognition in 1983, the Mashantucket Pequot tribe has faced critics who challenge the legitimacy of their tribal identity. Skeptics argue that the prospect of lucrative casino revenues motivated many individuals to claim Pequot lineage, raising concerns about the integrity of tribal membership.
These doubts are rooted in the historical narrative surrounding the Pequot tribe. Some historians and commentators had previously considered the tribe to be extinct, effectively wiped out by conflicts with settlers and other Native American tribes, most notably their traditional rivals, the Mohegan, during the brutal Pequot War of 1636-1637. The resurgence of the Pequot people and their subsequent acquisition of immense wealth have fueled skepticism and scrutiny, prompting intense debates about identity, heritage, and the very definition of what it means to be a member of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe. The keyword Gambling success brings controversy for Mashantucket Pequot tribe is seen as both the cause and the effect.
In response to these criticisms, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center unveiled a thought-provoking exhibition titled "Race: Are We So Different?" The exhibition, which opened the day after the MGM Grand tower’s inauguration, aimed to challenge prevailing stereotypes and misconceptions about Native American identity. Kevin McBride, the museum’s research director, emphasized that the American public often holds a stereotypical image of Native Americans based on Plains Indian traditions, picturing individuals "with long hair, hunting buffalo, with a teepee." This idealized image, he argued, fails to capture the diversity and complexity of Native American cultures, including the unique history and experiences of the Pequot people.
McBride further explained that many people are surprised by the ethnic diversity within the Mashantucket Pequot tribe. The museum’s exhibition directly addresses this perception by displaying a large photograph featuring approximately 100 tribal members, showcasing a wide range of skin tones, hair colors, and facial features. The photograph includes individuals with fair skin and blonde or red hair, as well as those with darker complexions and features that more closely align with traditional representations of Native Americans.
This diversity, according to the tribe, is a direct result of centuries of intermarriage with individuals of various ethnicities. Over the past 400 years, Pequot people have formed unions with individuals of European, African, and other Native American descent, leading to a blending of genetic heritages and a corresponding diversification of physical characteristics. The tribe argues that their mixed ancestry does not diminish their tribal identity but rather reflects the complex and evolving nature of race and ethnicity in America.
Regardless of the ongoing controversies surrounding race and identity, the Mashantucket Pequot tribe has undeniably achieved remarkable success in the realm of business and economic development. The transformation from struggling bingo halls on Indian reservations in the 1980s to the sprawling Foxwoods Resort Casino is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision.
Foxwoods Casino boasts the largest square footage of gambling space of any casino on the North American continent, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the thriving Indian gaming industry. In 2007, the nationwide gross revenues of Indian gaming exceeded $27 billion, highlighting the significant economic impact of tribal casinos. The 30-story MGM Grand tower further expands Foxwoods’ offerings, adding 1,400 slot machines to the existing 7,200, a 4,000-seat theater that has hosted renowned performers such as Gloria Estefan, restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, and a luxurious spa. Gamal Aziz, president of MGM Mirage, a partner in the development, aptly described the evolving landscape, noting that Foxwoods is "beginning more and more to look like Las Vegas." The keyword Gambling success brings controversy for Mashantucket Pequot tribe.
The Mashantucket Pequot tribe, numbering around 800 to 900 individuals, with approximately half under the age of 18, directly benefits from the casino’s profits. Tribal member Jason Guyot, who works for the MGM Grand five years after graduating from college with tribal funding, emphasized the profound impact of the casino on revitalizing the tribe. He recalled his uncle’s involvement in the struggling vegetable business that preceded the opening of the bingo hall in 1986, a time when "nobody had dreams and aspirations."
The financial benefits derived from Foxwoods Casino extend beyond individual tribal members. Since the casino’s opening in 1992, the Mashantucket Pequots have contributed approximately $2.6 billion to the state of Connecticut, representing 25 percent of their slot revenues. As a sovereign nation, the tribe is not legally obligated to pay taxes or disclose its financial records publicly. Rodney Butler, treasurer of the tribal council, explained that a significant portion of the profits is reinvested in the business and used to fund essential community services. While he declined to specify the amount of per capita payments received by tribal members, Butler emphasized that the gaming industry is "capital-intensive" and that the tribe operates like any other "family owned business."
Butler, who grew up near the Mohegan reservation across the river from Foxwoods, reminisced about visiting his cousins in an area that was once devoid of significant development. The arrival of the casino has transformed the landscape, both economically and socially.
Foxwoods Casino is a major employer, directly providing jobs for 10,000 people. The tribe also cites studies indicating that the casino indirectly supports an additional 30,000 jobs in the surrounding region. Butler underscored the significance of the casino in attracting tribal members back to the reservation, creating a vital "economic engine" for the community.
Joe Smith, spokesman for the Mohegan tribe, owners of the rival Mohegan Sun casino, revealed that Mohegan tribal members receive approximately $28,000 per year as their share of the casino profits. Smith, attributing his European features to a Swiss grandfather and the "genetic lottery," noted the friendly rivalry that now exists between the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots. He also mentioned rumors that Pequot tribal members receive significantly larger payments, potentially in the six-figure range, due in part to their smaller tribal population.
The Mohegan tribe has utilized casino profits to renovate a tribal burial ground, improve infrastructure, construct low-income housing and a retirement home for elderly tribal members, and develop a park on the site of a Mohegan fort. These investments reflect a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and improving the quality of life for tribal members.
According to the National Indian Gaming Association, approximately 225 tribes in 28 states are involved in gaming activities out of the 562 federally recognized Indian tribes. However, only about a quarter of these gaming tribes distribute per capita payments to their members.
Foxwoods Casino and the Mohegan Sun generate combined annual gambling revenues of approximately $2.5 billion, according to data from 2006 compiled by Alan Meister, an economist with Analysis Group. In comparison, the 54 tribes with gaming operations in California generate $7.7 billion in revenues, while commercial casinos in Nevada, home of Las Vegas, generate $12.6 billion.
Patrick Mirabal, a musician from the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico who performed at the MGM Grand opening, acknowledged that despite the growth of gaming, many tribes continue to grapple with social challenges such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and domestic violence. However, he also recognized the positive impact of Foxwoods’ success, both for the Pequot tribe and as a model for other tribes seeking economic self-sufficiency.
Angela Gonzalez, a Hopi tribe member and professor of American Indian studies at Cornell University, emphasized that the focus on the "enormous wealth" generated by Foxwoods often overshadows the broader impact of tribal gaming development. She argued that tribal gaming has played a crucial role in "reversing this history of poverty that many tribes have confronted for years." However, she also acknowledged that gambling remains a controversial issue, with some arguing that it contradicts tribal traditions and promotes materialism. The keyword Gambling success brings controversy for Mashantucket Pequot tribe.
In conclusion, the rise of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe from near-extinction to a position of economic power through the success of Foxwoods Resort Casino is a remarkable and complex story. While the tribe’s success has brought undeniable benefits, including economic revitalization and improved quality of life for its members, it has also been accompanied by controversy and scrutiny regarding tribal identity and the impact of gambling on Native American communities. As Angela Gonzalez aptly stated, "There’s certainly a lot of mixed feelings within all native communities."