Jim James, Santee Sioux vs Big Reds Keno Empire

Jim James enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe.

Part two of a two part series
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: As reported in last week’s issue, Jim James, Santee Sioux now residing in Lincoln, Nebraska reported that he felt a victim of discrimination at the Big Reds Keno establishment on July 14, 2023. Native Sun News Today published a story about that incident which attracted the attention of
Bis Reds management. They responded both to James and NSNT, very regretful to learn of the incident and James’ concern. Since then, James received a fifty- dollar gift card from Big Reds. It was signed by Ms. Pence with the following message: Thank you for your bravery and service to our country. It has been a pleasure to get to know you.” “That was nice,” James commented. “I think they lawyered up. But what I really wanted was an apology, not buy-off.”” NSNT then contacted Bill Harvey, co-owner, and chief counsel for Big Reds to ask for comment “I was of the understanding that an apology had been made,” he said. “I remain very concerned that nay of our customers have a bad experience at Big Reds.” giving the impression of sincerity. Harvey then said that he would personally call James to apologize on behalf of the entire organization. James then added another detail to his experience. “There is only one Native Keno writer at Big Reds, a young lady from Rosebud whom I have known for years When they approached me on July 14, they brought her along, maybe thinking I would go wild and another Native could calm me down.” “When I get my copy of the story about this incident, I am going to have my daughter take it to Big Reds. I am not going back there again. Afterall there are about a hundred other places in Lincoln where a person can play Keno. I am giving the gift certificate to my daughter so her and her husband can enjoy a meal.” “By the way,” he added, “I sent a pair of beaded earrings to Ms. Spence. “I told her that the Sioux are a giving people. She gave me something and so I gave back.” “She liked that and said she would wear them proudly.” James expressed his appreciation to NSNT for covering his concern. “Most of the Natives in Lincoln are urbanized, the children of children who got adopted in earlier days. Maybe those of us who grew up on Reservations are more sensitive to discriminatory slights. That whole experience at Big Reds brought back old feeling of being belittled.” “I am still going to wear my Native Veteran cap, even if it backfires on me again. All of “us who served should have the right to do that without worry. By the way, per capita Indians enlist at higher rate than other groups.” (Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

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