Casino yields a windfall: Computers for entire tribe

Susan Montoya Bryan

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 | 10:40 a.m.

SANDIA PUEBLO, N.M. -- Dayle Denetdeel's big brown eyes were fixed on the glowing blue screen and shiny silver and black plastic.

"I'm going to learn how to work it," the 5-year-old said determinedly as she stretched her arms high above her head, reaching for the new computer on the worktable. Her fingers barely hooked onto the table's edge but she was ready to touch the keyboard.

Last week tribal leaders handed out new computers, 17-inch flat-screen monitors and printer-fax machines to every one of the 135 households -- including Dayle's family -- on Sandia Pueblo, just north of Albuquerque.

Hundreds of boxed computers crowded the back of tribal headquarters as people lined up for their piece of new technology and a chance to sign up for computer classes.

The computers -- and training classes on how to use them -- are being paid for with revenue from the pueblo's casino.

"We've always been stereotyped in a sense because of our inability to really integrate as much as we would like to with the rest of society because of a variety of different reasons," Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano said.

"This is my council's initiative to try to give our community the tools in order to be not only a productive member in this community but also in society," he said. "It allows them to compete with everyone else."

Paisano said the idea to give each household a computer stems from a visit to the Navajo Nation in 2000 by President Clinton, who noted at the time that many Navajos lacked back technological items most American families possess, such as telephones and computers.

It took tribal leaders about two months of planning and research before deciding to go with a state-of-the-art Dell. Paisano said the company delivered the computers to the pueblo within three days of getting paid.

Tribal officials declined to say how much they paid for the computers.

"It's a substantial financial commitment but there's no way to place a value as to what this will do for each household and each member," the young governor said. "It's very difficult to place a monetary value on someone's knowledge and learning capabilities."

Rather than using gambling revenue to expand casino operations, Paisano said the tribal council has decided to spend it on the pueblo's education, health and law enforcement needs.

"We believe this is the proper way to use the gaming revenue," he said.

Paisano said the tribal council is dedicated to providing for the pueblo people and that the gift of technology seemed an appropriate tool for helping preserve Sandia's culture and language.

Sandia has an active program designed to teach its native language of Tiwa to all tribal members. Language lessons are videotaped and transferred to DVD and CD-ROM. With the new computers, pueblo members who are unable to attend the twice-weekly classes will be able to go over the lessons at home.

Sandia's head start program for youngsters is also videotaped. Paisano said discs can be sent home with parents so they can share in what is being taught to their children.

Dozens of tribal members turned out Wednesday to get their new computers. Grandchildren were helping grandmothers load boxes into their cars as others signed up for computer classes.

Rose Hinkle, 60, was anxious to take classes so she could e-mail her daughter who lives in Ohio. She also said the computers would be good for the pueblo's children.

"I think it's going to help them with school," she said. "I think it's great because we didn't have nothing when I was growing up."

Many pueblo members planned to use the computers for their work, including Dayle Denetdeel's mother, Valerie, who is a graphic artist. Valerie had considered using her tax refund to buy a computer but she was thankful for the gift she received Wednesday.

"I'm looking forward to using it," she said.

Grace Beverly, 58, took a look at the computer on display while she waited in line. Wondering where to start, she said she will gladly take up the pueblo's offer for training.

"I never thought I would own a computer," she said. "I just could not believe it. The governor said two months ago that every household would be getting a new computer. I had to ask him the next day if I heard him right."