flag disrespect Indian casino's

[hootchief1654]

Hi Forum
I'am Hootchief1654 korean veteran, vfw service officer, and military honors team member.
recently at the firekeepers casinio in Battle Creek,mi (home of VA, and FtCuster nat.cemetery,) I bought to the attention of gen manager,that flags in the main lobby were posted inproperly, Tribal flag at viewers left, and old glory at right of viewer. I was told that it was tribal land so our their rules apply,
The last i knew this was the united states and the us govt, and the state of michigan gave them permits to build off the reservation.
I am a stickler about flag use and improper display of over 50 yrs.
The national cemetery with ten miles of the casinio and thwe Battle Creek VA Center, and federal building inthe downtown, all part of OUR VA and Govt.

[Peter Ansoff]

Greetings, Hootchief! Welcome to the forum.

Strictly speaking, the General Manager you spoke with has a point. The flag code is a set of guidelines for display and use of the flag -- if a particular organization chooses not to follow them, that's basically up to them. A good example is the Christian flag. There's a separate Christian flag code that gives it precedence over the US flag, and many churches choose to observe that instead of the US flag code.

Having said that, however, I have a feeeling that the person you spoke with really did not know what he/she was talking about. Most Native American governments seem to acknowledge the precedence of the US flag over their tribal flags, and it would be surprising if this one were different. Perhaps you could make some inquiries about whether the tribe really does have its own rules about display of the US and tribal flags. Let us know what you find out!

Best regards,

Peter Ansoff

[APS221]

I agree with Peter, and I also think the Manager has a point. While many tribes may acknowledge the United States Flag's precedence over tribal flags, they aren't under any obligation to do so. The tribe is considered sovereign by the United States Government, and it is free to create its own rules governing flag display. Even if the casino is located outside of a reservation, I suppose it may still be considered tribal territory like an embassy or consulate.

I found this page on the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan. It's a display with the United States Flag, and the flags of the 12 sovereign tribal nations in the district.

The United States Attorney's Office - Western District of Michigan

[Bergschlawiner]

Very interesting thread. Our city has a casino and a Native American Tribe and I am now wondering about inviting the Tribe to have their flag, if they have one, in the annual local parade along with the other flags. I would suspect it would be with the "organizational' flags (American Legion, VFW, VVA, etc) but have as a state officer ran into some tribal vehicles where they called themselves "Nation" This raises the question of being on tribal property, i.e. the casino, or on US territory in the city. I hope no one gives this tribe any ideas.

[Peter Ansoff]

I would suspect it would be with the "organizational' flags (American Legion, VFW, VVA, etc) but have as a state officer ran into some tribal vehicles where they called themselves "Nation"

I don't think that this is entirely accurate. The US Government recognizes Native American tribes as "domestic dependant nations," and the tribes are sovereign in the sense that they deal directly with the federal government rather than the states. Their flags should certainly have precedence over organizational flags like the VFW. The question of whether they should have precedence over state flags is not so clear -- I think that there are still some unresolved constitutional issues underlying that. To my knowledge, there are no codified rules on that issue.

Peter Ansoff

[coasterville]

To add another data point to this. Earlier this week I was on the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. (eastern band, according to their seal). Their flag is their great seal done in orange on a yellow background.


In front of an important building they had three staffs. The US flag was on the (taller) center one, the tribal flag was on the left as viewed from the street, an the North Carolina flag
mom the right

I tried to get a tribal flag for the collection but the gift shops I went into didn't have them, but it looks like the extensive collection of CRW flags may be able to hook me up.

[lgwallace]

Not really able to offer any help as I am not familiar with tribal rules. I DO believe our Country's flag should always be in the 1st position anywhere IN our country, but that is a personal opinion. Mostly, I want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank you for your service Hootchief.

[NAVA1974]

To add another data point to this. Earlier this week I was on the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. (eastern band, according to their seal). Their flag is their great seal done in orange on a yellow background. ... I tried to get a tribal flag for the collection but the gift shops I went into didn't have them.

The most extensive collection of tribal flags is available from the source that most tribes use, TME Co. Inc. The proprietor, Peter Orenski, is also a NAVA member.

Flags of Native American Tribes

Nick A
Columbia MD

[coasterville]

I actually looked at them when looking for my (Eastern Band) of Cherokee Nation flag. (Let's face it there aren't too many sources). My decision came down to the fact CRW wanted $65 and TME wanted $91.50(!).

Here is the flag I received:

Flag of The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. by Coasterville, on Flickr

Apparently, the date on the seal is the date of the charter for the Qualla Reservation (Boundary). (The Eastern Band being those Cherokee that avoided the Trail of Tears) If I remember, I'll plan on flying that flag on Nov 28.