Tribes use casino money to pay for education

TULSA - It's a billion dollar industry in Oklahoma that has as many critics as it does supporters. Advocates say Tricia Fields is one reason why gambling pays.

Fields, who is a single mother of four, says there's no way she could have gone to school, had it not been for the College of Muskogee Nation, which is financed by the Muskogee (Creek) Nation. She currently holds two associate degrees and is working on her third, with several job interviews already lined up.

"The income pay range that I'm interviewing for is probably four times what I made before I started," said Fields.

Jason Nichols, gaming commissioner for the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, says the money is going back to his people.

"Gaming has been big in Oklahoma for the last several years, and its really helped our people raise a standard of living," said Nichols.

Abut 30% of the tribe's casino revenue is spent on education, according to Nichols. Part of that money is building a new facility for the tribe's college in Okmulgee, where Fields is getting her degree.

Fields wants to educate others about Native American history or work for the Muskogee Nation social services department.

"Helping other people the way others have helped me."