INDIAN GAMING UPDATE
2023 IN THIS ISSUE
Indian Gaming First Half Edition
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IGA & NCAI Task Announce Reactivation Hosts Join Press Conference at the National Press Club in DC
IGA Member Tribes Meet at Tradeshow Tribal Leaders Discuss Indian County Issues
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2023 Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow Tribal Government Gaming Comes together to celebrate the Industry
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Indian Gaming 2023 Winter Legislative Summit Discuss 2023 Legislative & Policy issues and impacts on Indian Country
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Message to Tribal Leaders
IGA/NCAI Reactivate Task Force to Protect Tribal Sovereignty
By Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Chairman
From the Indian Gaming Magazine June 2023 Issue
Country. We see the growing environmental destruction of our lands, natural resources, and sacred places from climate change. Native women and men continue to suffer from the scourge of murdered and missing relatives throughout Indian Country. Suicide is the second leading cause of death – 2.5 times the national rate – for Native youth between the ages of 15 to 24. Native youth continue to be overrepresented in the foster care system at more than 2.4 times the general population. The most ominous threats facing tribal governments come from a United States Supreme Court that is increasingly willing to ignore the U.S. Constitution, federal law, policy, and its own legal precedent. The Court is actively weighing the constitutionality of whether federal laws designed to uphold the government’s legal obligations to Indian tribes are unconstitutionally based on “race” and not the political or governmental status of Native Nations. In June of 2022, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, which overturned two centuries of federal Indian law, granting state courts jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-Indians in Indian Country. The decision is a unilateral grant of power from the judicial branch
On May 10th the Indian Gaming Association hosted a joint press conference with the National Congress of American Indians to announce the reactivation of the IGA-NCAI Task Force at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The primary mission of the Task Force remains the protection of tribal sovereignty and the inherent right of Tribal Governments to conduct gaming to generate revenue to support their communities. The need to reinvigorate and refocus the Task Force comes in the face of unprecedented U.S. Supreme Court attacks on tribal sovereignty. At the request of Tribal Leaders nationwide, I joined NCAI President Fawn Sharp to unite the two largest Tribal advocacy organizations to start a national dialogue and to develop strategy to confront these challenges and identify opportunities for tribal governments to assert their inherent sovereign rights over Indian lands. The Task Force will hold its first official meeting at the NCAI Mid-Year Convention on the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community homelands on June 4 – 8, 2023. It’s difficult to recall a more challenging time for Indian
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to state governments over Indian lands. The case is one of an increasing list of federal court challenges to longstanding tenets of federal Indian law. A blistering dissent in the Castro-Huerta case, authored by Justice Neal Gorsuch, exposed the extent to which the Court’s majority broke from normal legal standards. “[T]he Court announces that, when it comes to crimes by non-Indians against tribal members within tribal reservations, Oklahoma may “exercise jurisdiction.” But this declaration comes as if by oracle, without any sense of the history recounted above and unattached to any colorable legal authority. Truly, a more ahistorical and mistaken statement of Indian law would be hard to fathom. Tribes are sovereigns…. Tribal sovereignty means that the criminal laws of the States ‘can have no force’ on tribal members within tribal bounds unless and until Congress clearly ordains otherwise. After all, the power to punish crimes by or against one’s own citizens within one’s own territory to the exclusion of other authorities is and has always been among the most essential attributes of sovereignty. This Court may choose to ignore Congress’s statutes and the Nation’s treaties, but it has no power to negate them. The Court may choose to disregard our precedents, but it does not purport to overrule a single one. As a result, today’s decision surely marks an embarrassing new entry into the anticanon of Indian law. Native legal scholars agreed with Justice Gorsuch, calling out the Castro-Huerta Court’s stunning hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty, full of broad sweeping statements that lack any historical context or regard for settled law. The Castro-Huerta Court inserts, out of whole cloth, a new 10th Amendment doctrine into Indian law. This is judicial activism at its worst. The IGA-NCAI Task Force will develop policy proposals to address this deeply misguided decision, and we will educate the public and policy makers about the true history of the tribal- federal government-to-government relationship. We cannot let the Supreme Court strike at tribal sovereignty with the simple stroke of a pen.
It is an undisputed fact that Native Nations pre-date the formation of the United States. Prior to contact, Indian Tribes were independent, self-governing entities vested with full authority and control over their lands. Upon its formation, the United States acknowledged the sovereign authority of Indian tribes, entering into hundreds of treaties with Tribal Governments to secure trade agreements, establish peace alliances, and reach promises on related governmental powers. The U.S. Constitution acknowledges these treaties and the status of Indian tribes as distinct governments. The Constitution provides that “Congress shall have power to ... regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” This clear text establishes the framework for the federal government- to-government relationship with Indian Tribes. The IGA-NCAI Task Force will work to hold the United States accountable to the solemn promises and enshrined in our Treaties and the governmental status of Indian tribes reaffirmed in the U.S. Constitution. This Task Force will call upon Congress and the President to utilize every available tool to protect Tribal Government self-determination, treaty rights, and the ability of Indian tribes to exercise authority over Native lands. The work of the Task Force is more urgent than ever. Sovereignty and our sacred Treaty rights are under direct attack. Working together, tribal nations will make a difference. When we are united, Indian Country is truly unstoppable. Indian Country will meet these challenges with a collective voice. Together, we will emerge stronger.
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IGA AND NCAI ANNOUNCE THE REACTIVATION OF THE TRIBAL LEADERS TASK FORCE
Joint Press Conference hosted on May 08, 2023 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
and how Tribal Governments can continue to assert their inherent sovereign rights over their land, jurisdiction, and tribal citizens. “The work of the Taskforce is more urgent than ever as we await potential adverse rulings from the Supreme Court on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the continuing scourge of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons. The work of the Task Force is more urgent than ever as we await potentially adverse rulings from the Supreme Court on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the continuing scourge of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons.” Stevens said. NCAI President Sharp shared, “The damage caused by these adverse decisions and the danger they create are some of the greatest challenges facing Indian country today. We need swift and decisive action to address these threats. And that is why we are here today; there’s a need to reactivate this task force. It is timely, necessary, and desperately needed across Indian county.” Sharp added, “I am confident that together tribal nations can and will make a difference, and when we are united, Indian Country is truly unstoppable. No matter what the challenge, no matter what the threat. We always meet that threat and emerge stronger, and I’m confident about reactivating this task force.”
Washington, D.C. – May 08, 2023 – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) and the National Congress of American Indians hosted a press conference today, announcing the reactivation of the IGA/NCAI Tribal Leaders Task Force. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. and NCAI President Fawn Sharp made the announcement to the press present and by Zoom at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., shared that the reactivation of the Tribal leader’s task force comes at the direction of tribal leaders from around the country and is a direct response to the emergent threats endangering Tribal sovereignty and Tribal treaty rights. “We are here today at the request of the National Tribal Leadership. Tribal leaders have requested that the two largest Tribal advocacy organizations come together and activate the IGA-NCAI Taskforce to start the national dialogue on forming a strategy to confront Indian Country’s challenges at the national level.” Chairman Stevens said. Stevens added, “From adverse Supreme Court decisions to climate change, Indian Country is facing a myriad of challenges negatively impacting Tribal sovereignty, Tribal jurisdiction, economic self- sufficiency, women’s health, and the protection of our precious children, among many others.” He continued, “This Taskforce will hold this Country to its commitments and promises. Commitments and Promises made by numerous Presidents and enshrined in our Treaties and the Constitution.” The Tribal Leaders Taskforce will develop strategies to counter the unprecedented anti-Tribal Sovereignty Supreme Court decisions
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Washington D.C. – May 6, 2023 – The Tribal Gaming Protection Network (TGPN) hosted their sixth annual Women in Tribal Gaming Conference last week at the Wild Horse Pass Casino Resort in Chandler, Arizona on May 2 – 3, 2023. The TGPN was initially founded in 2002 by Indian Gaming Association, established a national Tribal association that would promote sharing of information among tribes on impacting the Tribal gaming industry to ensure the integrity and protection of gaming operations and regulations. Today, the organization empowers gaming professionals, regulators, and tribal governments to ensure the integrity and professionalism of gaming and the prosperity of tribes. One of the critical events of the TGPN is the Women in Tribal Gaming confab. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., shared, “It is great to see the tremendous growth of the TGPN throughout the years. It is a formative organization that strengthens the integrity of tribal government gaming by empowering those serving on the frontlines protecting our industry. I commend the TGPN for creating and presenting the Women in Tribal Gaming Conference. It is such an outstanding event highlighting the women involved in tribal gaming to promote diversity within tribal gaming and celebrate the Warrior Women of our industry and the essential contributions and leadership in our industry.” Indian Gaming Association Board member Denise Harvey represented the gaming organization at the conference. She shared, “It was such an inspiration not only to attend but to speak and also to be an inspiration to all the women working on behalf of tribal gaming at the Women in Tribal Gaming conference.” This year’s theme, Enrich, Empower, and Embrace, included an impressive panel of speakers whose focus was on education, diversity, and elevating women’s roles in the industry for the development of a robust corporate culture. TGPN Chairwoman Frances Alvarez said, “The most successful event is the one that achieves your goals and exceeds your expectations. That’s exactly what we accomplished in the two days at Gila River.” She further describes the event as “empowering” and “enriching.” The TGPN Women in Tribal Gaming event brought together more than 250 attendees representing over 30 Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations. Tribal Gaming Protection Network Hosts Women in Tribal Gaming Conference in Arizona
Presented by Aristocrat Gaming, the symposium launched the inaugural Women in Tribal Gaming Ambassador cohort. This ambassador program comprised six emerging leaders who were empowered to learn, share, and grow as active participants in the symposium. Each ambassador received a complimentary registration and was paired with industry leaders in their areas of aligned interest and expertise. Additionally, ambassadors were given an opportunity to meet with TGPN board members for a mentorship session as a benefit to their role. They were given the opportunity to share their insights during a talking circle on day two of the symposium, which a representative of Aristocrat Gaming moderated. Highlights of the conference included the Warrior Women recognition, presented to DeJuana McDonald of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, a keynote address by Jeanne Hovland, Vice Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, and empowering highlighted panel entitled Tribal Leadership: Voices and Inter- generational Point of View, which included, Monica Antone, Lt. Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, Rebecca Richards, Chairwoman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Victoria Diaz, Vice Chairwoman of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and Hermina Frias, Council Member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The conference also included workshop topics such as IT, legal, regulatory finance, compliance, human trafficking, safety and security, human resources, responsible gaming, youth development and leadership, and pathways to learning. Featured panels included a tribal leadership “Voice of Wisdom” session and a Global Gaming Women co-hosted session featuring C-Suite Executive Women and TGPN’s next generation of gaming professionals.
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INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION MEMBER TRIBES CONVENE FOR THEIR ANNUAL MEETING AT INDIAN GAMING 2023
San Diego, CA – April 02, 2023 – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) kicked off its Annual Convention and Tradeshow with its Annual membership meeting at the San Diego Convention Center. Tribal Leaders came together to discuss important issues related to the Indian gaming industry and critical legislative issues impacting Tribal Sovereignty. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. delivered the annual State of Indian Gaming address, recognizing the tribal government gaming success through the Covid period: “We have been through a lot these past three years. We’ve suffered loss but have done much to help each other. Indian Country and our industry have shown remarkable perseverance, and thanks to your work, I am proud to report that the State of the Indian Gaming Industry is powerful. Indian gaming revenues topped $43 billion in revenue from 2022.
Stevens spoke about the recent 35-year celebration of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA.) He said, “We celebrate what Indian country did for an act that diminished our rights as sovereign governments. I’ve said this many times before, IGRA did not come from Indian Country. The Act is far from perfect. Despite the limitation, Tribal governments have made it work at the detriment of tribal sovereignty. Tribes adjusted well, and we celebrate making the best of something intended to shut us down. Today, we stand, taking care of our industry - continuing to take charge and move Indian Country forward.” Jason Giles, Executive Director of IGA, provided the tribal leaders with Indian country legislative and policy updates in Washington, D.C. “Despite our financial resiliency, Indian Country is facing unprecedented attacks from the Federal Courts and State Governments. Tribes need to continue to educate our communities, neighbors, and representatives about Tribal Governments and our inherent rights under our Treaties, Federal Law, and the Constitution.” IGA Treasurer Andy Ebona presented his treasurer’s report, which included the annual audit update submitted by WIPFLI LLC. “I want to thank our IGA Member Tribes for all their financial support and cooperation during these tough times. I am proud to report that the IGA’s financial position continues to improve, and the future is bright. Thank you for providing the resources so the IGA can carry out its primary mission: to defend and protect Tribal Sovereignty and Tribal economic self-sufficiency.”
Stevens added, “Indian gaming has always been about job creation; about seamless, comprehensive Tribal regulation; and about giving back to our brother and sister tribal governments and our neighbors.” He shared that nationwide, Indian gaming is a proven job creator, delivering over 700,000 American jobs in 2022 alone. Stevens added, “Indian gaming is about our future: Indian Gaming is educating our Native youth and providing a path forward for the next seven generations. It is because we have great leadership with our boots on the ground, working hard and educating the world about our gaming industry.”
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Dr. Cynthia Chavez-Lamar, Director of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), provided the keynote address to our Tribal Members, reaffirming her work with the Indian Gaming Association. The NMAI is excited about hosting the Native Farm Bill Coalition’s Food Sovereignty Exhibit, on May 11th, in Washington, D.C., at the NMAI. IGA Vice Chairman David Bean then 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. They both ran unopposed, successfully garnering unanimous support from tribal leadership to continue to serve in their current positions. In the afternoon membership meeting, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Council and members of their business council presented a check, contributing to IGA to support the organization’s mission of representation in Washington, DC. Keith Anderson, Shakopee Chairman, presented the check to the IGA Board of Directors and said, “It is our humble honor to present IGA with this contribution today. We value the work they do for Indian Country in Washington, D.C.,” Anderson added, “We have done this for many years. We agreed to do this well over a decade ago.” Other reports and updates to the tribal leadership included a report from National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Sequoyah Simmermeyer and John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The afternoon included the first of two panels discussion, which focused on Sports Betting, entitled “The Future of Sports Betting for Indian Country: Prospective Outlook by Region.” Moderated by Jason Giles, IGA Executive Director, included panelists James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Matt Morgan, Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, and Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The final panel discussion entitled “Tribal Leader Strategy Discussions: Taking the Next Steps in Protecting Tribal Jurisdiction” included panelists Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Ryman LeBeau, Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). The 2023 Indian Gaming Association membership meeting concluded with the official swearing into the next two-year term for Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Secretary Paulette Jordan.
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HONORED BY THE INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION AT TRADESHOW
Boys & Girls Club recognized by the Indian Gaming Association for their thirty years of service. In the photo Carla Knapp, National Vice President of Natives Services at the BGC speaks after accepting the award at the Chairman’s Leadership Luncheon.
San Diego, California — April 28, 2023 – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) hosted their annual leadership luncheon at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention, where they honored the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for their 30 years of service with the Chairman’s Leadership Award in San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Each year the award is presented to those who have shown exceptional representation in Indian country. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said: “Today we celebrate the tremendous work and dedication of the Boys & Girls Clubs – Native American programs who have continued to support Native youth throughout Indian Country with their clubs. They are truly committed to providing top-quality support to Native Clubs, so today we are celebrating these Native Clubs, which work to instill valuable lessons and skills in our Native Youth.” Chairman Stevens, who was inducted into the BGCA hall of fame in 2012, shared that the clubs have a special place in his heart. He said, “While I was raised by my Mother, grandmother, and aunties who set the table for me, my club in Oneida gave me the much- needed male role models. They also allowed him to compete in sports,
helped him develop self-discipline – and convinced him to return to school. The clubs played a major role in my life and prepared for leadership today.” Carla Knapp, National VP of Native Services, and Kelly Concho- Hayes, Lead Director of Organizational Development for Native Services, accepted the honor on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club. Carla is a tribal citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation. She is a proven visionary and strategic leader with 20 years of executive-level, non-profit experience. She began her work in BGCA by chartering the first Native BGC in the Northeast as the Chief Professional Officer. Carla grew the service area for youth and partnered with five federally recognized tribes to expand programming for Native youth. The Boys & Girls Club - Native Clubs continue to play a critical role in the care, safety, and support of Native youth. As the preeminent Native youth-serving organization, Boys & Girls Clubs on Native Lands has risen to meet the rapidly changing needs of our communities. The Boys & Girls Club is the nation’s largest youth service provider for Native youth, with over 200 Native clubs, nearly 150 tribal communities represented, and over 120,000 Native Youth Served. For 30 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have proudly served American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Samoan youth. The first Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country were established by Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC).
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INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION HONORS NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHT FUND LEADER JOHN ECHOHAWK WITH THE 2023 RICK HILL - TIM WAPATO SOVEREIGN WARRIOR AWARD
Kingman recalled the early years of the Indian Gaming Association under Hill’s leadership. Gay shared that in 1991, contemporary Indian gaming was in its infancy, and tribes were losing the war. Rick was then the Chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and he stepped up to lead our Indian gaming industry. She said, “Rick was an effective Warrior who accomplished many things for Tribes in his quiet yet determined way. Kingman-Wapato, the wife and family members of the late Tim Wapato, joined IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., on stage to present the coveted award to Echohawk. Gay said, “We talk a lot about sovereignty, but we must recognize those who practice it, defend it at all costs, and believe that we must educate others. John has humbly devoted his life to sovereignty. Not only in his career but in his life.” She thanked Echohawk for all of the work he has done for Indian country.” Accepting the award, Echohawk said, “I am honored by this recognition. I knew Tim and Rick very well. They were Sovereign Warriors, and it was always great to work with them. We worked as a team, always ready to stand up and defend tribal sovereignty. As we did then, we must continue to do now, stand together, and defend our rights as tribal nations. John Echohawk, a Pawnee citizen, is the Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund. John has been with NARF since its inception in 1970, continuously serving as Executive Director since 1977. He was the first graduate of the University of New Mexico’s special program to train Indian lawyers. He was a founding member of the American Indian Law Students Association in law school. He has been recognized as one of America’s 100 most influential lawyers by the National Law Journal. He has received numerous service awards and other recognition for his leadership in the Indian law field. He serves on the Boards of the American Indian Resources Institute, the Association on American Indian Affairs, the Indigenous Language Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. B.A., University of New Mexico (1967); J.D., University of New Mexico (1970); Reginald Heber Smith Fellow (1970-72); Native American Rights Fund (August 1970 to present); admitted to practice law in Colorado
San Diego, California — April 28, 2023 –T he Sovereign Warrior Celebration highlighted the Tuesday evening of Indian Gaming 2023, where a champion for the protection of tribal sovereignty and Indian country was honored. John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), was presented the Sovereign Warrior Award in memory of Tim Wapato and Rick Hill, two tribal government gaming legends who worked tirelessly in the early days of the IGA. “Rick and Tim were two of the greatest leaders of our time. They dedicated their time to working hard. They both took me under their wings as a young leader. Tonight, in their honor, we recognize one of the most prolific Indian Country leaders, John Echohawk, who is always ready to go to work, prepared to defend Indian Country. John is one of the finest modern-day warriors. He is a family friend and a personal mentor.” Gay King-Wapato, the wife of Tim Wapato, took the stage and gave an early overview of the beginnings of the Indian Gaming Association. The Sovereign Warrior recognition has recognized many tribal leaders instrumental to tribal government gaming in the past years since Wapato passed on in 2009. Gay Kingman said, “The reason we established this Sovereign Warrior Award’ is because Tim used to say, ‘when I’m gone dust to dust, know that someone will try to take away your sovereignty. If I have a legacy, let it be that I spent my life preserving tribal sovereignty. The honor continues today, memorializing Tim Wapato and Rick Hill, who passed away in 2019.
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INDIAN GAMING TRADESHOW BRINGS INDUSTRY TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE
The Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention concluded on Thursday after almost a whole week of events and celebrations focused on the Indian gaming industry, its professionals, industry experts, tribal leadership, and gaming employees at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. The event drew over 7,000 attendees, record-breaking sponsorships, and sales. On Sunday, March 26, the Executive Board discussed an array of gaming and legislative issues and updates. A yearly conference favorite, the IGA golf tournament, was hosted on March 27th at the Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan Hotel and Casino. This year the Chairman’s Golf Classic is a fundraiser for the continuing support of Tribal Education in partnership with the Native Forward Scholarship Fund, which is the largest direct scholarship provider to Native students in the U.S. Golf Tournament sponsors included KeyBank, ABBIATI, TTCA, Whitehat Gaming, ICE London, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Sparket, IlummiNative, Novomatic, Konami, the Seneca Resorts & Casinos. At the Convention Center, a full day of conference sessions took place, focusing on topics related to Class II gaming, including the history, business, and regulation of Class II gaming. The Association
of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the University of Phoenix sponsored the sessions. The day concluded with a case study with the Pokagon Band Gaming Commission and the Four Winds Casino. Attendees ended the day with the official Chairman’s Welcome Reception at the House of Blues in San Diego. The reception was sponsored by WOW Lottery, BMM, AGEM, Ainsworth, RG24seven, Big Cyber, Everi, Rymax, and the Pechanga Band of Indians. Tuesday’s agenda included the IGA membership meeting; IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. welcomed the membership by opening with his annual Industry address. He shared, “We have been through a lot these past three years. We’ve suffered loss but have done much to help each other. Indian Country and our industry have shown remarkable perseverance. Thanks to your work, I proudly report that the State of the Indian Gaming Industry is powerful.” Stevens also shared the frontline work the IGA continues to do in Washington, D.C., “The Tribal Government gaming industry’s comeback is a resounding affirmation of your work and our resilience. But you know that we cannot rest. We must do more to continue to protect and strengthen tribal sovereignty.” The Indian Gaming Association held annual elections for the
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Chairman and Secretary positions. Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Secretary Paulette Jordan sought re-election to their jobs. Both were unopposed and successfully garnered unanimous support from tribal leadership to continue serving in his current position. Other membership agenda items included a Sports Betting panel entitled “The Future of Sports Betting for Indian Country: Prospective Outlook by Region” and a tribal leader discussion on “Tribal Leader Strategy Discussions: Taking the Next Steps in Protecting Tribal Jurisdiction.” In the afternoon membership meeting, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Council and members of their business council presented a check, contributing to IGA to support the organization’s mission of representation in Washington, DC. The 2023 Indian Gaming Association membership meeting concluded with the official swearing into the next two-year term for Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Secretary Paulette Jordan. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian Country were honored at the Chairmans Leadership Awards Luncheon. Carla Knapp, National VP of Native Services, and Kelly Concho-Hayes, Lead Director of Organizational Development for Native Services, accepted the honor on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said: “Today we celebrate the tremendous work and dedication of the Boys & Girls Clubs – Native American programs who have continued to support Native youth throughout Indian Country with their clubs. They are truly committed to providing top-quality support to Native Clubs, so today we are celebrating these Native Clubs, which work to instill valuable lessons and skills in our Native Youth.” The Indian Gaming Tradeshow and convention resumed on Tuesday with the Seminar Institute Training and a full day of conference sessions.
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The IGA hosted the inaugural Sovereign Warrior Celebration, which highlighted the Tuesday evening of Indian Gaming 2023, where a champion for the protection of tribal sovereignty and Indian country was honored. John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), was presented the Sovereign Warrior Award in memory of Tim Wapato and Rick Hill, two tribal government gaming legends who worked tirelessly in the early days of the IGA. The evening also featured food and music, with a special food- tasting presentation by Yazzie the Chef, a Navajo chef from Saint Paul, Minnesota. The evening ended with entertainment by the award- winning singer-songwriter and sound curator, Native American musician PJ Vegas, the son of Patrick Vegas of Redbone and IGA presented a Chairman’s Leadership Award to Patrick Vegas, the founder, producer, writer, bassist, & vocalist of Redbone. On Wednesday, the ever-popular tradeshow ribbon-cutting event kicked off with Tribal leaders and guests, including founding member of KISS, one of rock-n-roll’s most iconic acts, Gene Simmons, joining in cutting the ribbon officially, which ushered attendees onto the tradeshow floor. At the Chairman’s lounge, the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming presented a panel discussion on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University. The panelists included Sycuan Chairman Cody Martinez, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Chief Dan King of Red Lake College, and Dr. Katherine Spilde, San Diego State University. The group shared the partnership and commitment to tribal gaming and community. After the presentation, the group received the Chairman’s Leadership Award. Chairman Steven also presented the IGA Chairman’s Leadership Award to former Chairman Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians Michael Hunter and Walter Lamar, former FBI Agent and President of Lamar Associates. At the Tribal Leaders lounge, the Imagine This Award was presented to recognize the late Danny Saenz. On Thursday, Indian Gaming concluded the event at the Chairman’s Leaders lounge with closing remarks by Chairman Stevens and Indian Gaming Conference with a grand prize cash drawing. Chairman Stevens said, “The success of this year’s event is because of our industry’s remarkable perseverance and resiliency. Over the past two years, we have shown our determination to come back strong.” Stevens added, “It was phenomenal to be together again because we have much to celebrate. This week, we rolled up our sleeves addressing new challenges and opportunities, continuing our work to protect Tribal Sovereignty and strengthen Native communities.”
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IGA HOSTS WINTER LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT Discuss 2023 Legislative & Policy issues and impacts on Indian Country
Senator Martin Heinrich meets with tribal leaders at the 2023 IGA Winter Legislative Summit
A central panel of tribal representatives brought together a discussion on the Native American Farm Bill. With the 2023 Farm Bill on the horizon, the Coalition will continue to advance Native policy
Washington, D.C – January 31, 2023 – The Indian Gaming Association kicked off the 2023 Winter Legislative Summit today at the Stanley Crooks Tribal Leaders Conference Center in Washington, D.C., with the two-day legislative summit. The first onsite summit post-COVID-19 pandemic. The forum is designed for Tribal Leaders from around the country to discuss issues central to tribal communities and governments. Indian Gaming Association Chairman Stevens welcomed the leadership: “The Winter Legislative Summit is one of the most instrumental gatherings of tribal leadership at the Indian Gaming Association. It allows us to dialogue with the leadership at the Nation’s Capital, and more importantly, it is another opportunity to continue to educate this administration and Congress about the critical need of our tribal communities.” Stevens added, “With the political climate that Indian Country currently faces, after the recent midterm 2023 elections, we again stand ready to deal with our issues head-on, and that means educating, talking, meeting, and holding our ground with dignity and respect in protecting tribal sovereignty. We win the battle by standing together no matter what comes before us.” Tribal leaders were focused on current legislative and regulatory topics, which present a broad array of issues for the 2023 legislative calendar. These issues were explored in the panel “The 2023 Outlook – Engaging with the new 118th Congress”, moderated and presented by John Harte, Partner at Mapetsi Consulting, and Aurene Martin, Managing Partner at Spirit Rock Consulting. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) joined the summit providing key Senate updates and promising his continued commitment to Indian Country in the Senate.
priorities such as “Buy Indian” and “Indian Procurement” from the Federal Government. The panelists included Abi Fain of the Intertribal Agricultural Council, Jon Van Pool, Director of Policy and Governance of the Indigenous Foods and Agriculture Initiative from the University of Arkansas School of Law, and Phil Baker-Shenk of Holland & Knight, LLP on behalf of the Shakopee Sioux Tribal Nation. The Treasurer of the United States, Chief Lynn Malbera, joined Tribal Leaders to provide updates on the Treasury’s Tribal Affairs and the Treasury’s new Office of Tribal and Native Affairs. She was joined by Fatima Abbas, Director of the Office of Tribal & Native Affairs of the U.S. Treasury, and Rico Frias, Executive Director of the Native American Financial Officers Association (NAFOA), to wrap up the morning sessions of the summit. The afternoon discussion with tribal leaders included a visit from Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2). It was followed by updates from Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, and Jackson Brossy, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Native Affairs, with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Both joined the summit and provided an organizational update and a further commitment to continue the strong collaborations developed with Indian country and organizations such as the Indian Gaming Association. The final session of the day was entitled the “Broadband Spectrum Licensing” panel, which included speakers Dane Wilson, Assistant Director for Internet Access from the White House, Heidi Todacheene, Senior Advisor to Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Alex Blenkinsopp, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
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On Wednesday, February 1, the Indian Gaming Association continued with Day 2 of the 2023 Winter Legislative Summit at the Stanley Crooks Tribal Leaders Conference Center. The IGA Winter Legislative Summit is one of two yearly forums designed to bring Tribal leaders from throughout Indian country to discuss issues central to tribal communities and governments. A special guest joined Tribal Leaders on the second day to announce some big news. Representative Rueben Gallego (D-AZ) visited with Tribal Leaders and announced he would be launching a Senate campaign this year. Arizona Tribal leaders in attendance, such as Chairman Terry Rambler San Carlos Apache, enthusiastically supported his announce candidacy and urged Indian Country to unite behind him. Representative Gallego is a long-time supporter and defender of Indian Country and, most notably, helped secure much-needed Covid relief funds for Tribal Governments on par with State and Local Government relief. As a Marine Corps Veteran, Mr. Gallego has much in common with our Tribal warriors who have served this Nation at the highest per capita rate of any group. Indian Gaming Association Vice-Chairman David Bean picked up on the day’s theme when he helped to introduce Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), co-founder of the House Native American Caucus with Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK). Vice-Chair Bean said, “As we continue our dialogue with Congress and Federal agencies, we are continuing to impress upon them the importance of our critical Indian country issues, and this summit serves as a major catalyst for increasing our education efforts.” Bean added, “The work that we must do here is immense and comes with an enormous responsibility to make sure Indian Country’s concerns are heard. The list of priorities is long, but they are all centered upon improving the lives of our Tribal citizens and our neighbors.” Congresswoman McCollum did not mince words when she told the assembled Tribal Leaders that Indian issues have many hurdles to overcome this year to become law. She urged unity in purpose and to lean into our allies in Congress so that this new body of Congressmen and women understand the pillars of Indian policy rest upon their oath to the Constitution. Tribal Leaders received a Supreme Court Update from NARF on the many challenges to Tribal Sovereignty and Tribal Government jurisdiction being pressed in the Federal Courts. In addition to the Brackeen Indian Child Welfare case heard by the Supreme Court last term, there are new challenges to Tribal independence from cases such Arizona Senator Rueben Gallegos joined the IGA and representative from San Carlos Apache Tribe after meetiing to discuss legislative and policy issues related to 118th Congress and Indian Country.
as Maverick in Washington State and Smith v. U.S. in Oregon. Tribal litigators from NARF and Oklahoma pressed upon Tribal leaders to fill gaps in the law and jurisdiction with their own Tribal laws before the Federal courts rule on Tribal issues. Further, there is still time for Indian legislation from Congress to send a message to federal judges that Tribal Nations are distinct separate sovereigns that pre-dated the United States and their inherent sovereignty cannot be diminished. The agenda continued with representatives from the Biden Administration. Tribal Leaders heard from Daron Carreiro, Senior Policy Advisor for Native Affairs at the White House, and Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, and Paula Hart, Director of the Office of Indian Gaming, Bureau of Indian Affairs. These Administration officials engaged in a long, open dialogue with Tribal Leaders in attendance. While acknowledging the many accomplishments in just two short years, including the game- changing Infrastructure and Jobs Act, Tribal Leaders pressed the Administration to capitalize on these successes and strengthen Tribal self-sufficiency and economic independence. There is still a lot to accomplish in protecting Tribes from State Government overreach on dual taxation and leveling the playing field for Tribal Governments and Tribal Enterprises. Tribal Leaders will continue to meet in D.C. and push for these reforms and provide the Administration with the momentum it needs to move Federal Indian policy into a new era. Finally, the Interior representatives stated they continue to work on the development of policies and procedures to clarify and streamline land into trust issues and Class III compacting with State Governments. Tribes view the Secretary’s responsibilities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA) as sacrosanct when it is related to land acquisition, tribal-state gaming compacts, and gaming-related contracts. These are not merely regulations carrying out the mandates of Congress; they are federal trust responsibilities as mandated by Treaties and the Constitution. Tribal Leaders are looking to build upon last November’s in-person Tribal Summit with the President and hope to accomplish these goals in advance of 2023’s Tribal Leaders Summit.
15 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - 2023 FIRST HALF EDITION
INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL GAMING INDUSTRY AT ICE 2023 IN LONDON
Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. presented the ICE Landmark Awards, a recognition of the gaming industry’s most notable individuals on the international stage
ICE 2023 – ExCel London, February 9, 2023 - ICE Landmark Awards - Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. was honored at the ICE London 2023 Gaming conference in London with the International Gaming industry’s most influential honoring – the ICE Landmark Award.
temperatures, put up the dividers, wiped down machines, and did all they did to get Indian Country’s economic engines moving again.
They imposed the highest standards industry- wide to stop the spread of the virus by putting the health and safety of people first. Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, said: “The Landmark Awards serve as recognition of the extraordinary achievements of the individuals and organizations that make up this extraordinary industry.” Hunter explained that the recipients of these Awards have all been nominated from within the industry and labeled it an honor “to have them with us at this historic edition of what is the world’s most influential and international b2b gambling exhibition.” The Indian Gaming Association joins other Industry professionals at ICE 2023, which includes a world of gaming representing a record 68 nations. The figure is an uplift on the previous best of 65 set in February 2020, which was the last edition of ICE pre-COVID.
Chairman Stevens, who was pegged as one of the industry’s most influential personalities, received recognition for his leadership during COVID. Indian gaming association helped to protect and preserve tribal gaming and secure the vital funding needed to keep tribal casinos solvent through the worst of the pandemic on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Upon receiving the award, Stevens said, “This recognition is an acknowledgment beyond me. It is a recognition of the outstanding commitment of our tribal leaders who guided the Indian Gaming Association in our work to secure the vital funds needed to help bring our tribal government gaming industry through the worst of the COVID pandemic. Stevens asked the IGA representatives to join him on stage, and he shared. “It took a team beyond those who are joining
“This recognition is an acknowledgment beyond me. It is a recognition of the outstanding commitment of our tribal leaders who guided the Indian Gaming Association in our work to secure the vital funds needed to help bring our tribal government gaming industry through the worst of the COVID pandemic.” Ernie Stevens, Jr.
tonight. Stevens added, “I must also credit the creativity and flexibility of many of our experts on the ground throughout Indian country. This is a recognition of the hundreds of thousands of Indian gaming managers, employees, and regulators at the frontlines who took
The global distribution of the 623 exhibitors who will be at ICE 2023 stretches from Argentina to Australia, Macao to Mexico, and Ukraine to the United States.
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Stevens continued, “This early respect for Indigenous peoples was followed by misguided federal policies that fostered the taking of Indian lands and the removal of Native children from their families. However, our ancestors persevered, fought back, and fought back to protect tribal sovereignty and our way of life.” This was followed by a discussion entitled “California Sports Betting: Towards a Positive Solution.” The panel included Jason Giles, Executive Director of IGA; Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians; James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and James Mijia, Director of Public Affairs at Pechanga Development Corporation. The panel looked at how the lack of understanding of the stakeholder positions led to the most expensive and least effective regulatory battle in the modern history of sports betting, highlighting tribal positions. The tribal gaming track next included the “Tribal Gaming as Incubators for Innovation” panel, which discussed the unique regulatory set-up of tribal government gaming and how tribes continue to experiment with gaming formats and products to compete with commercial gaming. This panel discussion looked at the various approaches adopted or explored by the tribes to be innovative. It explored how to partner with the tribes and benefit from their regulatory standing to enter and be successful in the USA. The day ended with the panel entitled “Regulatory Obligations and Requirements in Partnership Agreements with the North American Tribes. This session looked at the unique regulatory set-up in tribal gaming that ensures sovereignty and oversight and leveraging the tribal partnerships regulatory framework as an entry route into a regulated market in the United States and a focus on understanding the obligations in the partnerships agreement and management contracts that ensure the integrity and financial benefit to the tribes and an overview of the relationship between tribal commissions and the regulatory NIGC framework. Holly Cook Macarro moderated this panel, Partner at Spirit Rock Consulting, panelist Sequoya Simermeyer, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, and Jonodev Chaudhuri, Principal at Chaudhuri Law and Ambassador of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. ICE 2023 organizers reported vast successes of this year’s event, which included a significant representation from the Indian Gaming industry, added to an overall global attendance of some 50,000, including 28,000 attendees on the gameshow floor, beating pre- COVID records.
ICE 2023 – ExCel London, February 10, 2023 - The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) kicked off the first day of the International Casino Exhibition (ICE) front and center by joining international gaming industry leaders at the 2023 last week by presenting a full day of sessions with tribal leaders and the Indian gaming industry experts about tribal government gaming. The tribal gaming track began with a panel entitled “Innovation, new channels, new vertical and new opportunities – exploring the evolving attitudes toward gaming and betting in Indian Country.” The discussion reviewed the differing approaches to gaming innovation in Indian Gaming vs. commercial gaming. IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. joined a panel discussion that included Victor Rocha, Editor at Pechanga.net, and Sheila Morago, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. While the focus was innovations in Indian Country, Chairman Stevens shared the importance of sharing the history of Indian country contributions to the United States. Stevens told the audience that the essence of the tribal government gaming industry is about advancing the gaming revenue to build upon tribal communities, our Native people, and their livelihood. It’s that simple. He said, “It is always important to me to use every opportunity to educate all and tell the story of our perseverance and important contributions to America.” He added, “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 well known. It should be a well-known fact that our ancestors inspired the infrastructure of America’s early democracy. Of course, even before being 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.”
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