Ten years after the casino cash started flowing, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' good fortune is on display across the peaceful Capay Valley. Tribal Chief and CEO Marshall McKay reads to Briana Roberts, 9, center, and Paige Kinter, 8, at the tribe's Yocha-De-He tribal school, where 20 students learn native culture and virtues along with history, science and the three R's. One of McKay's biggest challenges is educating future leaders of the tribe's gambling empire. Marshall McKay embodies the modern Indian gambling chief as he strolls through his tribe's 21st century village while wearing a dark suit. He is one of the few tribal members to have attended college. He has seen his tribe ravaged by the ancient problems of drugs, alcohol and broken families despite their new wealth. Many children have been raised by single parents. "There's a blank space in their hearts and souls," he says. The Cache Creek Casino Resort generates $300 million in revenue a year, allowing each of the 60-member Wintun Band of Rumsey Indians' 26 adults to receive about $1 million a year after taxes plus an allowance for travel. But despite the perks that come with wealth -- luxury cars, custom homes and a private school -- only three tribal members have finished high school since the riches began rolling in 10 years ago. Former Chairwoman Paula Lorenzo helped transform the tribe into a political and economic powerhouse in the 1990s. The former welfare mo ...
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Ten years after the casino cash started flowing, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' good fortune is on display across the peaceful Capay Valley. Tribal Chief and CEO Marshall McKay reads to Briana Roberts, 9, center, and Paige Kinter, 8, at the tribe's Yocha-De-He tribal school, where 20 students learn native culture and virtues along with history, science and the three R's. One of McKay's biggest challenges is educating future leaders of the tribe's gambling empire. Marshall McKay embodies the modern Indian gambling chief as he strolls through his tribe's 21st century village while wearing a dark suit. He is one of the few tribal members to have attended college. He has seen his tribe ravaged by the ancient problems of drugs, alcohol and broken families despite their new wealth. Many children have been raised by single parents. "There's a blank space in their hearts and souls," he says. The Cache Creek Casino Resort generates $300 million in revenue a year, allowing each of the 60-member Wintun Band of Rumsey Indians' 26 adults to receive about $1 million a year after taxes plus an allowance for travel. But despite the perks that come with wealth -- luxury cars, custom homes and a private school -- only three tribal members have finished high school since the riches began rolling in 10 years ago. Former Chairwoman Paula Lorenzo helped transform the tribe into a political and economic powerhouse in the 1990s. The former welfare mo ...