The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe suffers 44 percent unemployment. Most tribal members are considered poor, and yet they resist development of their land because they recognize a higher value than money.
The Paiutes own Pyramid Lake, a scenic, unpopulated setting near Reno, Nev. Despite their alleged poverty, the Paiutes refuse to cash in on developing the lake because they believe in what the lake represents - the traditional, sacred values of pristine nature.
"The historical aspect of the lake has always been to keep it as it is," said Norman Harry, chairman of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribes' Reservation. "The lake is sacred to the people and always will be."
Lake Tahoe is the flip side of that coin, a beauty spot that has been paved and plundered by resort development, generating $1.8 billion annually, mostly from tourism. While Tahoe thrives economically, the Paiutes thrive spiritually, steadfastly refusing development offers for casinos and other tourist attractions at Pyramid Lake.
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http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20050822/COLUMN/108220009
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