While it is true that Native Americans are perhaps genetically more succeptible to alcoholism due to its relatively recent introduction to this continent, many tribes are actively fighting drug and alcohol abuse on their reservations with sometimes astounding results. Russel Means, an AIM activist, was arrested in Whitehorse last summer for protesting that (white) town's continued sale of alcohol to Native Americans (Sioux). Seems the White storeowners are more interested in making a buck than in the health of the tribe. Check out Means' book "Where White Men Fear to Tread"--a worthwhile read. But yes, alcohol peddlers have targeted reservations historically as involuntary markets--Budweiser used to send a float to powwows that tossed little cylindrical candies to
children--and the little cello labels were beer labels that read "Budweiser."

Also worthy to note that the poorest areas in the nation are on tribal land--the Pine Ridge Reservation (Oglalla Sioux) has the lowest per capita income in the United States. I mention this by way of noting how prosperous western Washington tribes seem by comparison, but nothing can ensure that--not the fish, obviously, not the casinos, nothing.

Let the natives keep the natives? Sure. It's not like there's a choice. Seems to me the ones who need to get booted off the water are the white guys like the one I saw snag AND RETAIN a dolly on the Stilly a week ago. Pathetic. His "usual and accustomed" should be reduced to the pool under his toilet seat.