David W. Anderson
Encyclopedia
David W. "Famous Dave" Anderson, best known as the founder of the Famous Dave's
restaurant
chain, was the former Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, with jurisdiction over the Bureau of Indian Affairs
and the Office of Indian Education Programs (now the Bureau of Indian Education
). Anderson is a Choctaw
and Ojibwe Indian
, and lives in Edina, Minnesota
. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up there as well as on reservations
in Wisconsin
. Famous Dave Anderson now travels the country speaking and is the author of several award-winning books.
. Berman is a gambling
entrepreneur
who had Anderson sign on as an investor
when his company, now known as Lakes Entertainment, was started. Some people view this as a conflict of interest
, although Berman has stated that Anderson has not been involved with the company for nearly a decade.
Still, the connection between Anderson and gambling has been viewed as a major conflict for Anderson. He stated that he would recuse himself from any decisions relating to Berman. A few months later, he stated that he would let others handle all decisions related to gambling. This drew fire from leaders in the Congress
, as oversight of casino
gambling on Native American reservations takes up much of the resources of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Anderson has stated that allows him to focus on other ways to improve the lives of Native Americans living on reservations in the U.S., a view that some sympathize with because many believe that, overall, Indian casino gambling has not helped those populations.
a 501(c)3 which provided leadership experiences to at-risk and underprivileged Native youth.
Famous Dave's
Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que, formerly Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Shack, is a chain of southern-style barbecue restaurants serving pork ribs, chicken, and beef brisket. Dave Anderson, an Ojibwe who served as the head of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs from 2004 to 2005, started the...
restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
chain, was the former Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, with jurisdiction over the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
and the Office of Indian Education Programs (now the Bureau of Indian Education
Bureau of Indian Education
The Bureau of Indian Education is a division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It operates tribal schools for Native Americans in the United States. The BIE is headquartered in Washington, DC and runs 59 of the total 183 schools and dormitories it oversees in 23 states. -External links:*...
). Anderson is a Choctaw
Choctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
and Ojibwe Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, and lives in Edina, Minnesota
Edina, Minnesota
Edina is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and a first-ring suburb situated immediately southwest of Minneapolis. Edina began as a small farming and milling community in the 1860s. The population was 47,941 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up there as well as on reservations
Indian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Famous Dave Anderson now travels the country speaking and is the author of several award-winning books.
Department of Indian Affairs
Since he first took over as head of the department in February 2004, Anderson has become involved in controversy because of his previous business partnership with Lyle BermanLyle Berman
Lyle Arnold Berman is a professional poker player and business executive.-Business:Berman grew up in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in business administration. He then went to work for his father's leather business, Berman Buckskin. ...
. Berman is a gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
who had Anderson sign on as an investor
Investor
An investor is a party that makes an investment into one or more categories of assets --- equity, debt securities, real estate, currency, commodity, derivatives such as put and call options, etc...
when his company, now known as Lakes Entertainment, was started. Some people view this as a conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
, although Berman has stated that Anderson has not been involved with the company for nearly a decade.
Still, the connection between Anderson and gambling has been viewed as a major conflict for Anderson. He stated that he would recuse himself from any decisions relating to Berman. A few months later, he stated that he would let others handle all decisions related to gambling. This drew fire from leaders in the Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, as oversight of casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
gambling on Native American reservations takes up much of the resources of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Anderson has stated that allows him to focus on other ways to improve the lives of Native Americans living on reservations in the U.S., a view that some sympathize with because many believe that, overall, Indian casino gambling has not helped those populations.
The LifeSkills Center for Leadership
In 2001, Anderson and his family founded The LifeSkills Center for LeadershipThe LifeSkills Center for Leadership
The LifeSkills Center for Leadership is a Minneapolis based 5013 non-profit that provides leadership and personal development trainings and workshops for college students.-History:Founded in 2001 by 'Famous' David W...
a 501(c)3 which provided leadership experiences to at-risk and underprivileged Native youth.