SECRETARY’S REPORT PAULETTE JORDAN Coeur D’Alene
G reetings to all the Tribal Leaders attending our Tradeshow in Las Vegas this year. It is a privilege to serve you as the Executive Secretary of the National Indian Gaming Association. In 2017, NIGA experienced an interesting year working with a new Administration and Congress. With new faces, there are new challenges, but NIGA’s enduring commitment to Tribal Sovereignty remains steadfast. As a mother and Tribal citizen, I have witnessed the economic hurdles Tribal governments must overcome to address the shortcomings in our tribal educational, health, and administrative agencies. Gaming revenues are a vital source of investing in our communities to strengthen the governmental services provided to our citizens. I am pleased to see that in 2017, Tribal revenues grew another 1.5% and more importantly, the employment numbers in Indian gaming surpassed pre-recession levels of over 700,000 direct jobs created. In more good news, last year, I reported on renewable energy initiatives in Indian Country and how the Indian gaming industry is setting an example in this arena. Many tribal casino expansions now incorporate plans for the use of renewable energy to power their casino operations. Clean energy technology and development is one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. and Indian Country is poised to be on the cutting edge of this technology given our locations, the diversity of our economies, and our cultural respect for mother earth. NIGA will continue to provide leadership and discussion on exploring new ways that Tribal Governments can preserve resources and the environment by committing to bring self-sustaining economic development to our reservations. I have long believed that Tribes are connected to this land in a spiritual sense and have a responsibility
14 INDIAN GAMING - ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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