NATIVE WOMEN WARRIORS EMPOWER INDIAN GAMING 2017
The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) hosted the 35th Annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego, California and offered a three-day full of events, activities, workshop, and meeting with more than 7,000 attendees. One of the empowering forces of the successful event was the showcase of acknowledgment to the Native American Indian Warriors, beginning with a spectacular opening honoring where NIGA, the Indigenous Women Rise participants, and women attending Indian Gaming 2017 joined the Indigenous Women’s Rise organizers on stage to honor LaDonna Harris, an enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation and founder and president of Americans for Indian Opportunity. NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., said, “We want to start off our annual event by recognizing and honoring an assembly of Women [Indigenous Women Rise] who stand together for the collective human right of women, in solidarity to ensure that our Women are protected. I am committed to continuing to stand with them to do my best to be a good warrior and stand with them. I was raised by my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunties. I learned the Iroquois protocols for honoring our women, and now as a grown man, I try to live by those protocols, and because of that influence in my life, I am more accomplished and successful to this day.”
Stevens added, “It is important to recognize the incredible impact that the Indigenous Women Rise has made in our tribal communities and to see the national civil right organizations take note of this powerful movement.” Sarah Eagleheart from Native American’s in Philanthropy gave an overview and introduced Tribal Elder and Matriarch, LaDonna Harris. The honoring included a beautiful women warrior song, an honoring song of life-givers led by Deborah Parker, Co-Founder of Indigenous Women’s Rise followed by the group presenting Harris with an Indigenous Women’s Rise shawl. Harris thanked the crowd and said, “Let’s continue to recognize the beauty and strength of the women and the importance of their continued contributions to our communities.” Harris served as honorary co-chair for the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. in January. According to the Indigenous Women Rise website, the movement “…stands together in solidarity for the protection of our rights, our safety, our families and our communities. Participation by Indigenous women will ensure that our voices on the issues that affect us all are resoundingly heard.” Closing the annual gathering of Indian gaming professionals, on Thursday, April 13, NIGA presented a distinguished panel of Indian country’s women leaders dedicated to standing strong, protecting their communities
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