keep the dreams of their people alive for generations to come. Our messaging over the years has resulted in a bi-partisan understanding that Tribal Sovereignty means Tribal Governments have jurisdiction over our lands and people without exception. In my home State of Washington, some of these jurisdictional battles played out over water, fishing, and hunting rights. While the State did not always respect Tribes’ viewpoint on Sovereignty, years of hard work and strong wills resulted in conditions that suited both of our jurisdictions. However, with the Supreme Court’s sudden reversal of precedent in the Castro-Huerta opinion, Tribes are facing jurisdictional challenges from the Federal Government itself, and this has opened up new lines of attack from commercial gaming against IGRA and to attacks on ICWA. The Association’s outreach to Congress remains strong and builds upon the new methods of communication started during the pandemic. The Biden Administration ensured Indian Country was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Congress and the President allocated over $11 billion for Indian Country to improve their transportation systems, repair water systems, expand broadband access, and promote Tribal economic self-sufficiency. We must now again turn to Congress and the Administration for help in addressing these devastating Supreme Court rulings and the attacks on Tribal Sovereignty they are generating. Indian Country must remain united behind our core key principles: protecting tribal sovereignty and fostering economic activity on the reservation. This, in turn, will provide for the next seven generations of our Indian communities. I want to thank our Member Tribes for your support over the past two years. We simply could not have achieved so much for Indian Country without your support. I look forward to continuing my work with the IGA Board of Directors, Tribal and Associate Members, and all of Indian Country in this pivotal non-election year. My message as Vice- Chairman is the same since my first term: “Stay in motion…Forward Motion.” I pledge to continue to work together to protect Tribal Sovereignty, Indian Gaming, and all Tribal industries for the betterment of our generations to come. “Together” Indian Country has proven we can confront any challenge, even something as unexpected as challenges to the very existence of our Tribal Government jurisdiction. Always remember, “The bigger the challenge, the bigger the achievement, while always moving forward.”
9 INDIAN GAMING - ANNUAL REPORT 2023
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