recognized as United States citizens, Native men and women warriors have stepped up to protect and serve our nation. And this democracy is five times the national average per capita served in our Nation’s military.” Stevens shared. He shared the importance of the session, recognizing the important role Native women play in Indian Country. He said, “Women are equal in our life and culture from day one. Even today, Women play a dominant and amazing role in our world in helping our country be where it is today.” Holly Cook-Macarro shared her path working on behalf of Indian country and the importance of becoming the authentic voice for Indian Country. She said, “It is important that we convey to our agents and tell our stories. She added, “I think that was probably my earliest experience of, you know what, I’m here to do a job, even though I’m in a room full of non-Indians, non-women, and it’s been a good ride, being part of shattering that glass ceiling knowing that people finally understand that there is no better person to learn from than those of us who know our story. Chairwoman Bryan also shared, I have served for many years in tribal leadership with eight men sitting around the table with me, and of course, they will say that she is a woman, and she will roar, so watch out. Adding, “But it’s those challenges that we go through, and just people who helped shape my life is why I’m on this global stage today to tell the story, shattering glass ceilings. Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin also shared her thoughts, adding, “I’ve had the honor and the privilege of being elected every four years. And when I think about where I come from. We have a wealth of talent there on our reservation. We have ceremonial people, we have medicine people, we have teachers, we have artists,
we have singers, all those people that give me their strength. So, when I walk into a room, I have shattered those ceilings because of those people. On Tuesday, IGA hosted its annual Tribal Leaders reception at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) on the tradeshow floor and honored special guest film and television star Actor Danny Trejo with the Chairman’s Leadership Award. Trejo has developed a prolific career in the entertainment industry with a hard-earned and atypical road to success. Trejo’s name, face, and achievements are well recognized in Hollywood and beyond, from years of imprisonment to helping troubled youth battle drug addictions, from acting to producing, and now on to restaurant ventures. Trejo is no stranger to the screens – be it film or television and has starred in dozens of films, including Desperado, Heat, the From Dusk till Dawn Series, Con Man, and television shows such as From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. He also had recurring roles on Sons of Anarchy, King of the Hill, and Breaking Bad, to name a few. Trejo accepted the recognition and shared that through research, he discovered he was half-Yaqui Indian. He also spoke about his life that led him to his successful acting career. He said he grew up in a life of crime, which, throughout the 1960s, put him in and out of jail and prison. He said he changed his life in 1969 after being released from jail and started helping his neighbors with daily tasks. He said, “And from 1969 to now, that’s all I’ve done is help other people pay it forward. That’s all, and my life has turned into an absolute miracle from almost going to the gas chamber to being one of the most recognizable Latinos on the planet.” “I just want to thank everybody. I want to especially thank you for having invited me today. It means so much.” Trejo concluded.
26 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
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