Tribe opens books for S-R

Betty Squires, of Moscow, tries her luck at the Coeur d’Alene Casino on Wednesday, Kathy Plonka SR

When the Coeur d’Alene Tribe first signed a gaming compact with the state of Idaho in 1992, tribal leaders insisted on donating 5 percent of net casino gaming proceeds to education on or near their reservation – a gesture that has added up to $16.8 million in donations since 1994, including $1.5 million this year and $1.8 million last year.

“The tribe originated the idea,” said David High, the now-retired deputy Idaho attorney general who for years oversaw negotiations with the state’s Indian tribes over gaming. “They didn’t have to do it.” Full story. Betsy Russell, SR

Why do you suppose the Tribe initially refused to disclose this information? Will this story be enough to quiet the their critics?