NIGA CONGRATULATES NATIVE WOMEN INDUCTED INTO THE WEWIN “WARRIOR WOMEN CIRCLE.”
National Indian Gaming Association joined the Women Empowering Women for Indigenious Nations (WEWIN) National Conference to support the induction of WEWIN’s four inductees to the WEWIN Warrior Women’s Circle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the photo L-R - Marjorie Stevens, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibiwe, Marlene Helgemo, of the Ho-Chunk Nation and Minnesota State Representative Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Milwaukee, WI – July 31, 2018 – The National Indian Gaming Association, a sponsoring partner of the Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations (WEWIN) National Conference, congratulates the four recipients of the WEWIN Warrior Women’s Circle honor, which was held at their conference on Tuesday, July 31st. The honorees included Minnesota State Representative and citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Peggy Flanagan, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, Marjorie E. Stevens of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Marlene Helgemo of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. Each year the WEWIN board selects Native American women who they recognize for their dedication, hard work and contributions to tribal communities, and honor them for their commitment to these efforts. State Representative Peggy Flanagan accepted her award and shared with the audience that this award is more about the native women who inspire her to do the work she does. Flanagan has joined U.S. Rep. Tim Walz’s bid for governor of Minnesota, running for lieutenant governor in this year’s gubernatorial election. Flanagan attributed the honoring to the long legacy of Native women who have been leaders of Native nations throughout history. She indicated that it is essential that the Native women voice be heard. Melanie Benjamin first gained experience in tribal government in 1989 when she was recruited by the late Arthur Gahbow to serve as his chief of staff in the position of Commissioner of Administration, a role which she held between 1989 and 1997, and which is the top appointed position in Band government. After Art’s passing, Benjamin continued in this post throughout 1997 under the late Marge Anderson. Upon accepting her award, Benjamin dedicated her honoring to her mother, who went on the spirit world last year. She received the award with family members who were attending the WEWIN Conference. Marlene Helgemo, who serves as the Executive Director of the Pastor of the All Nations Indian Church and the part-time Executive
Director for the American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Marlene not only is a pastor but also she is nationally known as a defender and advocate of the rights of Indian people and tribes, tribal sovereignty, and the federal trust responsibility toward Indian Nations. Under her direction, the All Nations Church has had a profound impact as a voice supporting Indian tribes and people, as well as organizing other faith traditions to impact our issues at the federal level. Marjorie E. Stevens, a grassroots Native Woman who was instrumental in changing the course of Native American history through her concerted activism and standing up for the rights of Native and Indigenous people was also recognized. Her lifetime achievements span from early activism in the American Indian Movement, to education, to drug and alcohol prevention, to the promotion of hiring of Native American tradespeople and utilizing Native American owned and operated businesses. Her service not only impacted all of Indian Country but her Tribe and her community. Among her accomplishments of service to her community, she was one of the three “Founding Mothers” of the Indian Community School in Franklin (Milwaukee), WI. It was established in 1969 as the result of three Oneida mothers who wanted a better education for their children who were struggling in the public-school system. Marj and the other two mothers were innovative and resourceful, and today many Native American children are enjoying a first- class education in a Native-run school with strong cultural and native language programs inclusive in the curriculum. Now retired, Marjorie has left her work in the hands of new leadership that will carry on her advocacy for generations to come. NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., said, “It is always an honor to be part of this event. This honoring is an amazing event highlighting the powerful ongoing role of Women leaders, who have help mold and shape the success of many of our Native American communities.” WEWIN was established in 2004, to strengthen and sustain tribal cultures for the benefit and destiny of the children and to educate about tribal cultures of the history of native people and the inherent rights exercised for the good of Native people.
3 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - SPRING EDITION 2018
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