TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING AT G2E ONCE AGAIN REPRESENTS A PROMINENT FORCE IGA & G2E CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY WITH INDIAN COUNTRY WOMEN LEADERS PANEL
IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. moderates the G2E 2023 Indian Country Women’s Leadership panel on Indigenous People’s Day at G2E. In the photo (L-R), Chairman Stevens, Holly Cook-Macarro, Principal at the Angle, Stephanie Byran, Chairwoman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians.
Las Vegas, Nevada – October 16, 2023 – The Indian Gaming Industry converged upon the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2023 last week in Las Vegas with a dynamic array of tribal government industry-led standing-room-only workshops and sessions and gaming recognitions. Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said, “It is always great to see our tribal government gaming representatives join this global event. Indian Gaming plays a vital and significant role in the overall gaming industry’s success, and our representation continues to be a prominent force. These outstanding sessions bring further insight into the significant advancements and successes of our Indian gaming industry.” During the four days of G2E, they also hosted gaming panels and educational workshops, including a track focusing on Indian gaming-related topics and issues showcasing the success of tribal government gaming. That included an extensive and vast tribal gaming track that explored various topics, from politics, the legislative landscape, policies, and opportunities to regulation, human trafficking, and economic diversification through tribal gaming.
To celebrate Indigenous People’s Day and recognize the decisive role of Indian Country Women leaders, the mainstage keynote track at G2E hosted the final day’s keynote address entitled “Shattering Ceilings: Women Leaders in Tribal Gaming.” Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr moderated it. The panelists included Holly Cook Macarro, Principal at the Angle, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Mission Indians Melanie Benjamin, and Chairwoman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Stephanie Bryant. Stevens shared a message about the importance of acknowledging Indigenous People’s Day. He said, “At its core, Indigenous People’s Day is an opportunity to tell the story not only of our perseverance but our essential contributions to this nation.” Stevens noted, “It should be a well-known fact that our ancestors inspired the infrastructure of America’s early democracy.” “Countless advances in American medicine, agriculture, and engineering, without the influence of native healers, farmers, and thinkers, would not have been possible. It should be a well-known fact that our ancestors inspired the infrastructure of America’s early democracy. Of course, even before being
25 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
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