Many of Canada's First Nations say gaming is an ancestral right, similar to rights related to hunting and fishing.It's sort of the same way my Irish ancestors felt about whiskey. The only thing standing in the way is that pesky "white mans law".
Traditionally, the key questions have been: Can the aboriginal communities show that the activity existed when the first Europeans arrived? Can they show they never surrendered the right. The Kahnawake Mohawks south of Montreal, along with certain other First Nations, say gaming passes the test raised by both questions.
And by extension, they say, online gaming is included.
"The jurisdictional or territorial argument that's often put forward has been shot down in a number of cases all the way to the Supreme Court," said Detective Sergeant Dave Taylor of the Ontario Provincial Police illegal gaming unit. "They have no right to their own gambling, as is claimed every time we lay a charge."
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