By
Scott Thomas Anderson
In 1985, a struggling, single mother of four children witnessed the glimmer of her dream come true when a bingo hall opened on the Jackson Rancheria.
Now, eight months after the passing of Margaret Dalton, the self-reliant tribe she left behind is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its gaming empire.
Despite recent layoffs, the Jackson Rancheria Casino, Hotel and Conference Center remains by far the largest single employer in Amador County. It's also one of the most consistent contributors to local nonprofits and youth organizations. Money donated to Amador County charities has been in the millions. The Jackson band of Miwok Indians believes the casino - as an entity - has poured tens of millions of dollars, if not more, into the local economy. However, that level of financial power didn't accumulate overnight. According to Jackson Rancheria CEO Rich Hoffman, the first bingo hall Dalton raised on tribal land was a "noisy, leaking metal building."
As the Jackson Rancheria grew in size and stature, Dalton continued to publicly say her mission was to give Jackson Miwoks proper health care and resources, while partnering with various groups to improve Amador's overall community. Her ability to achieve that goal was vastly improved in 1998, when Californians passed Proposition 5, the Tribal Government and Economic Self-Sufficiency Act. A compact between the state and the Jackson Band of Miwoks followed the next year, along with a second proposition passed by California voters reaffirming Indian gaming. In 1998, Dalton was named business-woman of the year.
Today, the Jackson Rancheria includes new neighborhoods, an RV park, general store and gas station, a medical and dental clinic, water and sewage treatment plant, auto mechanic shop and off-reservation apartments.
Last May, Dalton's funeral drew thousands of people, including tribal and county dignitaries. Many employees, former employees and long-time patrons of the Rancheria who'd known Dalton were also in attendance. Commenting on her passing at the time, former Amador County Supervisor Rich Escamilla said, "I know for a fact that she helped many individual families who were in trouble and never told anyone about it."
The truth in Escamilla's statement was evident at the matriarch's funeral, as numerous people stood up to reveal how Dalton had assisted their families in desperate moments, including paying for bills and funerals.
In honor of Dalton's achievements, Jackson Miwoks have declared her birthday, Feb. 9, "Founder's Day." According to Carol Cook of the marketing department, the introduction of Founder's Day, along with the casino's 25th anniversary, will be marked by a year-long celebration. Cook said that patrons could look forward to major promotions and specials throughout 2010.
In a time when jobs are scarce in Amador, employment matters more than ever, according to Jacqueline Lucido, director of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce. Lucido was a long-time friend of Dalton's and feels the Rancheria has kept people working in the foothills in the absence of industry.
"I've got people calling here every single day looking for work," Lucido said last week about the chamber. "Gaming has provided a large number of jobs."
