[0] Kickapoo Tribe Breaks Ground for Grand Casino -- Better Life!Gaming/Entertainment/Travel Editors; Feature & Lifestyle Writers EAGLE PASS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2000 The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas broke ground Oct. 1 at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino outside Eagle Pass. The historic groundbreaking signifies not only the start of an enormous expansion of the casino, but also better economic times for the tribe, for Eagle Pass, for the area along the Rio Grande Rio Grande, city, Brazil Rio Grande (rē`  grän`dĭ), city (1991 pop. on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border and eventually for the state. Four years ago, living conditions living conditions npl → condiciones fpl de vida living conditions npl → conditions fpl de vie living conditions living for the 800-member tribe improved substantially with the opening of the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, one of only two gaming casinos in the entire state of Texas. The casino currently provides employment for about 160 people. Before that time, life was grim for members of the tribe, who worked mainly as migrant mi·grant n. 1. One that moves from one region to another by chance, instinct, or plan. 2. An itinerant worker who travels from one area to another in search of work. adj. Migratory. farm laborers. The director of the reservation's Head Start preschool program estimated in 1996 that most of the families subsisted on about $7,000 a year, and some survived on as little as $1,700 annually. Just 18 years ago, the tribe, which had no land of its own in Texas, lived in a primitive makeshift village under and around the U.S./Mexico International Bridge. The sole water source for all members of the tribe was a single water spigot. Then-Eagle Pass City Manager Isidro Garza, his wife Martha, Congressman Abraham "Chick" Kazen and others came to the aid of the impoverished im·pov·er·ished adj. 1. Reduced to poverty; poverty-stricken. See Synonyms at poor. 2. Deprived of natural richness or strength; limited or depleted: and homeless Kickapoo, assisting them in getting the U.S. Congress officially to recognize their status as the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. Garza, a registered professional engineer, currently serves as the tribe's official representative. The core group of people touched by the plight of the tribe, along with churches and charitable organizations This article is about charitable organizations. For other uses of the word charity, see Charity. A charitable organization (also known as a charity) is an organization with charitable purposes only. , helped the tribe acquire 125 acres 12 miles southeast of Eagle Pass. Building the casino, whose stock in trade is poker and high-stakes bingo, gave the tribe a foothold foot·hold n. 1. A place providing support for the foot in climbing or standing. 2. A firm or secure position that provides a base for further advancement. foothold Noun 1. on the first rung of the ladder to financial security. The expansion will give them a substantial advantage -- to better jobs, housing, educational opportunities, health care for the tribal members, especially the elderly, and a decent living standard. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has a tribal court system that allows them to exercise their sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Construction will begin soon on a new road that will lead to the planned 100,000-square-foot casino and auditorium, luxury hotel with 75 to 150 units, and 18-hole golf course. The expansion and added amenities bode bode 1 v. bod·ed, bod·ing, bodes v.tr. 1. To be an omen of: heavy seas that boded trouble for small craft. 2. well to make Eagle Pass and the reservation of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas a prime tourist destination A tourist destination is a city, town or other area the economy of which is dependent to a significant extent on the revenues accruing from tourism. It may contain one or more tourist attractions or visitor attractions and possibly some "tourist traps". for the 10 million people who live within a 200-mile radius in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Mexico. Makateonenodua, chief of the tribe, said, "All the tribal members express their most sincere appreciation for the embracement of their efforts." Note to Editors: B-Roll Available Upon Request |
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