late Rick Hill, relied extensively on Fracis Killer to help maintain its non-profit status and build their presence as a lobbying force in D.C. Francis Killer did this pro-bono work at a time when most Tribes and organizations had very little money. Francis Killer’s contributions to Native Organizations, combined with Lee Cook and Ernie Stevens Sr.’s work at the B.I.A., laid the foundation today that we see embedded in the President’s Tribal Leaders Summit: Respect for Tribal Sovereignty and Tribal economic self- sufficiency. The Indian Gaming Association wanted to highlight these Indian trailblazers in D.C. to connect the generational work being conducted at this Tribal Summit. Tribal Leaders in attendance this week working with the Biden Administration will be remembered for their efforts at providing for the next generation of Tribal Leaders. Perhaps the words of Sitting Bull are a guide for this week’s work with President Biden: “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” The First In-Person Presidential Tribal Leaders Summit Since 2017 First initiated under the Clinton Administration, and then the Obama Administration, the White House Tribal Leaders Summit has evolved into one of the largest and most widely attended gatherings of tribal leaders in America. The President began the day by promising tribal leaders that the final meeting held today would build upon the foundation of his Administration’s commitment to work with the First Americans in a true nation-to-nation relationship with respect for tribal sovereignty. Secretary Haaland began the Summit with an uplifting message to the assembled Tribal Leaders. She said that government to government meetings such as this highlights why it’s so important that we redouble our efforts to make
sure that every federal agency truly consults and listens and works with Tribes: Sovereign to Sovereign. The days events were later followed up with great news on the Tribal broadband front. The Departments of the Interior and Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance electromagnetic spectrum access opportunities and the deployment of broadband and other wireless services on Tribal lands. Additionally, the Department of the Interior is establishing a new Office of Indigenous Communications and Technology (OICT) to assist Tribal Nations and Tribal entities in managing and developing new technological and wireless services on Tribal lands to advance true self- determination over digital resources. National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Fawn Sharp, representing the Quinault Indian Tribe and the more than 500 tribes of NCAI, praised President Biden’s work on Native American issues and told the assembled Tribal Leaders that this Summit is a welcome change in the Government’s interaction with Tribal Nations. The Summit continues tomorrow with Tribal Leaders’ meetings with the Cabinet Secretaries to discuss important Tribal issues such as protection of natural resources, economic development, health, public safety, housing, and education. This is Indian Country’s first opportunity to meet with the United States since the historic November 8th elections. Tribal Leaders are hoping for the continued consultation and collaboration from President Biden’s Administration, which has been a welcome change of policy.
Chairman Stevens joins tribal leadership at the Indian Gaming Association dinner following the Tribal Leaders Summit hosted the Biden Administration In the photo L-R: Chairman Stevens, Mark Macarro, President of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Reggie Wassana, Governor of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes
15 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - OCT - DECEMBER 2022 EDITION
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