NIGA CELEBRATES THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF CABAZON/MORONGO SUPREME COURT DECISION
Californa Tribes join Chairman Stevens and members of the NIGA Executive Board to honor the 30th Anniversary of the landmark Cabazon/Morango Decision that affirmed Tribal Sovereignty and the rights of Tribes to regulate gaming.
At the conclusion of the tribal leader’s woman’s panel, Tribal leaders moved to the Tradeshow Exhibit floor to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the landmark Cabazon/ Morongo decision, the historic Supreme Court decision that affirmed Tribal Sovereignty and the rights of Tribal Governments to regulate gaming on their lands. In the 1987 California v. Cabazon and Morongo decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Indian tribes retain the inherent sovereign authority to conduct gaming on tribal lands free of state interference. The Court reasoned that Indian gaming is crucial to Indian self-determination and economic self-sufficiency, noting that gaming provides the sole source of governmental revenue and is the primary source of employment for many tribes. In upholding these rights, the Court acknowledged that Indian gaming was an act of tribal self-determination that aligned with the then relatively recent federal policy supporting tribal governing authority. As part of the celebration, Mark Powless, Chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Gaming Commission provided an overview of the history that led to the decision. “This was one of the most significant milestones in not only the history of Indian gaming and tribal sovereignty when the Cabazon and Morongo Bands of Mission Indians defended their sovereign rights to create economic opportunities on their reservations against attempts by the State of California to impose state laws on tribal lands. The tribes stood firm, and the results were great for us all. It was a historic time for all of our tribes.” Powless said. Chairman Stevens presented a Chairman’s leadership award to Brenda Soulliere, member-at-large of the Cabazon Business Committee was presented with a Chairman’s leadership award during the recognition. In 1987, Soulliere worked in the card room. She said, “All we were trying to do was keep our card room, a 25-table card room... That’s all it was about. But when everybody wanted to stop us, it mushroomed and grew,
and we were just working to build upon a form of business, economic development, and we just got tired of being told no. This time, we put our foot down and said, we’re going to keep going.” Chairman Stevens said, “Because of these determined gaming leaders, our industry set the foundation for economic prosperity for all of Indian country. This legal fight was a defining moment. From the seeds that they planted more than 30 years ago today, we have responsibly grown into a $30 billion industry that is working to bring opportunity and self-determination to tribes.
Mark Powless, Chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Gaming Commission provides an overview of the historic Cabazon/Morongo decision that tribes celebrate 30 years later. Brenda Soulliere, member-at-large of the Cabazone Business Committee and Chairman Stevens look on.
11 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - TRADESHOW EDITION 2017
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