NIGA HOSTS TRIBAL LEADERS AGENDA AT INDIAN GAMING 2017
The 184 member tribes of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) convened their annual membership meetings in conjunction with the 32nd Annual NIGA Indian Gaming 2017 Tradeshow and Convention at the San Diego Convention Center on Tuesday. Former National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Joe Garcia offered the opening prayer, and also provided a message to the membership tribes about unity and shared responsibilities. Cody Martinez, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, located near San Diego officially welcomed the tribal leadership. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman presented his State of the Industry address. He said, “Our industry is healthy, and it is not by accident. It is because we have great leadership with our boots on the ground. Today, we celebrate and acknowledge that we are a $30-billion-dollar industry, and we continue to contribute to the overall economy and job creation of America, but we also know that our work is not done until all of our tribal communities are self-sufficient.” Organizational updates were presented by Kevin Leecy, NIGA Vice Chairman, and Danielle Her Many Horses, Deputy Director, who gave an overview of the legislative issues in Washington, D.C. NIGA Secretary Paulette Jordon conducted the official membership roll call which declared a quorum and NIGA Treasurer Andy Ebona presented his treasurer’s report, which included the annual audit update submitted by Joseph Eve, of Joseph Eve CPA’s. National Congress of American Indian’s (NCAI) organizational and legislative updates were given by NCAI President Brian Cladoosby. Cladoosby will complete his 8-year term and President of NCAI this year The New Developments in the Regulation of Indian Gaming: Class II Sub-Committee and National Tribal Gaming
Commissioners & Regulators panel was conducted by moderator Brian Simmons of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Gaming Commission. Panelist included Mathew Morgan of the Chickasaw Nation, J.R. Mathews of the Quapaw Nation and Jamie Hummingbird, Chairman of the National Tribal Gaming Commission & Regulators Association. National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Jonadev Chaudhari addressed the NIGA tribal membership, presenting regulatory and legislative updates on behalf of the NIGC. The afternoon sessions included a Native American Rights Fund update by John Echohawk, Executive Director of NARF, as well as updates from the Derrick Watchman, Board Chairman of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and updates from the National Veteran’s Memorial project, presented by former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Kevin Gover, National Museum of the American Indians Director. Chad Harrison, Councilman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, followed with updates on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Camps. NIGA officially opened up nominations for the positions of Chairman and Secretary, where both current Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. and Secretary Paulette Jordon received sole nominations. The day concluded with an Indian Gaming Legislative panel moderated by Danielle Her Many Horses with opening comments by former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and included panelist included Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe, Robert Martin, Chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Obijwe, Holly Cook Macarro, of Spirit Rock Consulting, Loretta Tuell of Greenberg Traurig and John Tahsuda, of Navigators Global.
Indian Gaming Legislative Update Panel includes L-R: Robert Martin, Chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Holly Cook Macarro, Spirit Rock Consulting, Melanie Benjamin Chief Executive, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Ron Allan, Chairman, Jamestown S’kalallam Tribe, Mark Van Norman, Van Norman Law and Loretta Tuell, Greenberg,Traurig
8 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - TRADESHOW EDITION 2017
Made with FlippingBook Online document