INDIAN GAMING 2019 AT THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
NIGA Member Tribes Come together to discuss critical Legislative Issues
Cody Martinez, Chairman of the Syucan Band of Kumeyaay Indians welcomes tribes to San Diego for Indian Gaming 2019
The member tribes of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) came together last Tuesday to conduct their annual membership meeting at the San Diego Convention Center to discuss many issues related to not only the Indian gaming industry but critical legislative issues surrounding Indian country. President Jefferson Keel of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) joined Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Rory Wheeler, NCAI Youth Commission Co-President to assist in welcoming the tribal leadership. Cody Martinez, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, welcomed the tribes to San Diego. “We welcome you all here to not only celebrate the National Indian Gaming Association but ultimately we are here to celebrate tribal sovereignty at work. It is outstanding to see so many of our industry gather here.” He added, “Over the last thirty-five years, Indian gaming has enabled Sycuan and many other tribal governments to thrive, but we recognize that Indian gaming is not an end to itself, but a means to a better future for our tribal government and communities.” David Bean, Vice Chairman of NIGA, greeted the tribal leadership “I raise my hands to each one of you for being here today. It is an honor to serve alongside each of you, standing for the people and the tribal communities we serve, protecting tribal sovereignty. I know many of you and those before you have paved a better way for our future generations.” Bean added, “We work hard as tribal leaders always engaging with members of Congress, and the administration in defense of tribal sovereignty and promoting economic development through Indian gaming.”
NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., delivered the annual State of Indian Gaming address, recognizing the tribal leadership and tribal government gaming success by saying, “You know why we have a $34 billion industry? You know why we provide jobs and how the offshoot of this industry generates more than 700,000 jobs? You come from the heart of those communities.” Stevens continued, “Where we come from is where our wealth is, it is the reason we create these opportunities – more housing, more development, more programs, and services. It is so our kids can invest in their future. That is what we are here for, and that is why we do what we do. That is what Tribal government gaming is and how we define wealth.” “Indian gaming has always been about job creation; about seamless, comprehensive regulation; and about giving back to our brother and sister tribal governments and our neighbors.” 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.” Stevens spoke about the recent 30-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. We celebrate the things that we did to make the best of something that was intended to dilute our supreme court victory. We have made the best of the congressional action we call IGRA; we will continue to build a strong future. Today, here we stand, advocating for our industry - continuing to take charge of moving Indian Country forward.”
4 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - SPECIAL 2019 TRADESHOW EDITION
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