[Cerek the Barbaric]

Some interesting points on both sides. Since the Indian reservations are considered "sovereign nations", I would say the tobacco store should be tax-exempt. The state agrees with this as long as the sales are made to Native American residents of the reservation, but do not apply if non-residents go there to purchase their tobacco. I say it should be tax-exempt - period. If the whiteys choose to drive to this "sovereign nation" to purchase their tobacco, I don't see that the state of Rhode Island should have much to say about it.

But the point about the federal government subsidizing them with welfare and other federal funding is a good point also. If the reservations want to truly be a "sovereign state", then they should also be willing to stand on their own. Of course, the issue is more complicated than that. The debate over the casino is a perfect example. If the reservation were truly a sovereign nation, the Rhode Island legislature shouldn't be able to say diddly-squat about whether they can or can't build a casino there.

I live close enough to drive to the Cherokee reservation here in western NC. For many years, the residents there lived in severe poverty conditions (for the most part). Alcoholism and teen pregnancies and unemployment were major concerns. Then the reservation opened a Bingo parlor and started generating some good revenue. When the Atlanta Braves finally became a contender in baseball, it proved to be another boon for Cherokee, NC - they were the ones that made all those tomahawks the Atlanta fans waved so feverishly. Finally, Cherokee got a full scale Harrah's casino. The amount of money (and jobs) THAT generated is unbelievable. And it doesn't just benefit the residents of the reservation. Any resident of western NC that can prove a heritage of at least 1/16 Cherokee can be added to the official "role" of Cherokee people. Anyone on that role receives a monthly check from the Cherokee tribe representing their portion of the proceeds generated by these various businesses.

{OFF TOPIC} - Speaking of the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears, have any of our Native American members ever heard of "Cross Rocks"???

These are rocks that are shaped like a cross (theoretically anyway - in actuality, many of them look more like an "X") and are supposedly found ONLY along the Trail of Tears. Legend has it that these rocks mark the burial spots of those who died along that Trail and were formed from the tears of their loved ones. Those who hunt these rocks verify that they are very "localized". They will find a spot containing several Cross Rocks, then a few feet away, there won't be any at all. They are always very closely grouped.

Another theory is that these were made as crude markers by their surviving loved ones and left to mark the graves. There is only one problem with that theory, the Cherokee weren't Christians...so WHY would they use the holy symbol of their oppressors to mark the graves of those killed by the cruelty being inflicted upon them?

The reason I'm asking is that my wife's coworker brought several of these rocks to work and gave some of them to her. I've seen them for myself, so I know that they DO exist. I was just wondering if anyone could give an explanation of them from a Native American perspective.