An uproar continues in central Iowa over a memo outlining hiring practices at the Meskwakie Bingo Casino. A disgruntled employee sent a newspaper a copy of the July memo by Tribal chairman Homer Bear, Junior, in which th chairman says more tribal members should be hired at the casino, even if it means laying off non-Native Americans. Telling managers to put Meskwakie job applicants on a fast track, Bear reminds them the tribe is NOT governed by federal equal-opportunity laws. Iowa’s Department of Inspections & Appeals is negotiating with the Meskwakis on a new state-tribal gambling compact. Right now the general manager says the casino employs about 1250 people and about 150 of those Native American.
