Australian tribe plans casino in claimed land

Lisa Cheban | 19 July, 2022 12:19 | Last update on: 19 Juli, 2022 12:19

An indigenous tribe in Australia, called the Kombumerri-NgarangWal saltwaterpeople. The Kombumerri-ngarangwal are based on the Queensland´s Gold Coast and they are making a claim on a piece of land where they would like to build a casino in an attempt to be self-sufficient.

The model that is used by this Gold Coast tribe is comparable to what the Cherokee Indians in North America are doing. These North-American tribes are having multiple casinos on their indigenous piece of land. These casinos are the Ak-chin Casino in Arizona, Cherokee Casino in North Carolina and the Prairie Band casino in Kansas.

However, it won´t be easy for the Saltwaterpeople of Kombumerri-Ngarangwal to pull of the same commercialisation of the area as their indigenous brothers in America. Because The Star Entertainment group is the only company that holds a casino license for the Gold Coast.

The tribe claims to have the right on The Spit area, which is the most northern section of the famous Gold Coast stretch of the beach. This is the area where they would like to build the second casino on the Gold Coast area.

On behalf of the traditional families, David Dillon and Anthony Dillon signed the claims of the natives. David Dillon about the claim: “For too long we’ve been emasculated when it comes to the commercial use of native title land. We are saying we now want to create our own destiny. We want to be part of the action so we can stand on our own feet. Our focus is ensuring sustainable connection of our people to country. The subjugation and marginalisation in the past is over. Our corporate and community achievements have moved us forward from what was a permanently impoverished existence through a renaissance of seeking to take control of our own destiny through notions of self-governance and a ‘Success by Design’ context. Saltwater People are inclusive. All those with bona fide connections will be embraced, however no longer will we tolerate the division, deceptions and lack of focus of blow-ins and marauders who regularly sabotage our efforts of unity and progress. Our indigenomics approach, built on the principles of self-determination and collective wellbeing, is important to us.’’

Share article:

Related blogposts: