NIGA Tribal Leadership Come Together at Mid Year Meetings in New Mexico

POJOAQUE, N.M.- September 16, 2009 - The 2009 National Indian Gaming Association Mid-Year Conference at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino was held on Sept. 15-16. The conference brought together tribal leaders and leaders in the Indian gaming industry.

Over 250 people were in attendance from across the country, representing over 60 tribes. They attended training seminars on issues affecting Indian gaming and enjoyed networking opportunities with gaming industry experts and tribal leaders.

Hosting the conference was the Pojoaque Pueblo's shining achievement of gaming, the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino. Pojoaque Pueblo Governor George Rivera said the tribe was honored not only to host the mid-year conference, but also to unveil the monumental achievement of the resort, which was initiated back in the early 1990s.

"This development was the result of many struggles," Rivera said. "This property was dreamed about in the early 90s and completed one year ago, just to give you an idea of the challenges the tribes faced."

To realize gaming in Pojoaque took the combined efforts of tribal leadership, supporters in state legislature, friends, lobbyists and lawyers, he said. The orchestration of NIGA throughout the process was instrumental, he added. Getting the resort built was only half the battle, however.

"It's really important that now we have made big strides in gaming that we remember what it took to get there and not get relaxed," Rivera said. "It's important that you are all here to meet and talk and continue with the vision that's been developed."

NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. agreed with Rivera and said the purpose of the mid-year conference was for solidarity and reaffirmation of the fight for Indian sovereignty. While Indian prominence in Washington, D.C. has been revealed through the years and we continue to reenergize our visibility to keep the Indian voice prominent in the Nation's Capitol. "Thank you to all the leaders here. You are the leadership that is taking us where we need to be in Washington, D.C." Stevens said.

He said with the nation in the grips of the economic recession, Indian Country is actually doing moderately well. "While some tribes are doing well, there are many that continue to feel the strife of economic disparities, together, we continue to analyze the Indian economy and work towards vitalizing all."

Stevens continued, "This is not a new recession for us. This has been synonymous in Indian country and something we've dealt with for centuries," Stevens said. "America, welcome to our world."

Despite the economic climate, Indian gaming has been creating new jobs, not only for Indians, but non-natives as well. In that aspect, gaming has been stimulating the American economy with viable jobs in addition to the taxes states and the federal government receives through Indian gaming.

Chairman Stevens continued, "We all know the state of the economy is a real issue but tribal government gaming is a great part of the reason we continue to see enhancements in many communities throughout Indian country."

"While we see great hope for Indian country with the new administration in Washington, D.C., we have to keep working at it. We have to continue to do our part, not only at home, but also for all the Brother and Sister tribes who need us the most. We must continue to work diligently together."

National Congress of American Indians President Joe Garcia agreed with Stevens and recalled the struggles of the New Mexico Pueblos to bring Indian gaming into fruition on their Pueblo lands.

Garcia said the Pueblos stood their ground on the basis of Indian sovereignty and noted the federal agents never did shut down their operations. That example of asserting Indian sovereignty should be a model for tribes today, he said.

"Indian gaming has been a blessing for us and we've really benefited from these efforts. It all came from sacrifices, it didn't just happen," Garcia said. "All of the gaming facilities that exist throughout Indian Country say something about what we've accomplished."

NIGA Executive Director Mark Van Norman said the network of tribes working together has been the best protection for Indian sovereignty. The vigilance must continue, along with education, he said.

"If we let them, the public would do their best to misinterpret Indian Country," Van Norman said. "We have our detractors out there and it is our job to educate.

The message of the 2009 NIGA Mid-Year Conference was loud and clear: Indian sovereignty must be protected at all costs. Sovereignty was the basis for the survival of Indian nations and will be the source of strength for generations to come.

Stevens said, "No matter where you go in Indian Country, it's about building communities and providing vital services for our people, whether it is schools, hospitals, police and fire services, these are all resources that are imperative to the health and welfare of our communities. I call upon the leadership out there to join with the National Indian Gaming Association and the National Congress of American Indians.

"Let's work together, because we are not just building our tribes and communities. We're not just rebuilding Indian Country, but we have a role to play in helping America to recover."

Women Tribal Leaders Honored at NIGA Mid Year

POJOAQUE, N.M.- September 17, 2009 - The National Indian Gaming Association hosted their Mid-Year Conference at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino on Sept. 15-16, 2009. The conference highlighted the accomplishments of Indian leaders dedicated to the advocacy of Indian sovereignty.

Over 250 people were in attendance from across the country, representing over 60 tribes. They attended training seminars on issues affecting Indian gaming and enjoyed networking opportunities with gaming industry experts and tribal leaders.

On Sept. 15, the Sovereignty Awards Banquet spotlighted two women leaders, both of whom are champions of Tribal sovereignty. Rosemary Morillo, Vice Chairwoman of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians received the coveted John Keiffer Spirit of Sovereignty Award, while NIGA's Lifetime Achievement Award went to A. Gay Kingman-Wapato, of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe." National Tribal leadership selected these outstanding recipients.

NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. praised the leadership of both women for their powerful dedication as protectors of Indian country. "We have a lot of great leaders throughout Indian Country," Stevens said. "Rosemary and Gay are two of the best."

"Rosemary has a long list of working accomplishments locally, regionally and nationally. I feel her most treasured accomplishments are in her own community. She wholeheartedly embraces her role in leadership, holding family, youth, and culture near and dear to her heart in every aspect." Chairman Stevens said.

Upon receiving the John Keiffer Spirit of Sovereignty Award, Rosemary Morillo said, "I always take a lot of pride in helping my people, and that is what it is all about. I come from a long line of leadership in my family, so I grew up knowing that helping my community was important, in order to make change." She added, "To be able to accept an award like this is very humbling and I am honored by it."

Morillo made reference to the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act of 2007, which ended a 75-year-old lawsuit over water rights in southern California. "We never gave up," Morillo said. Her dedication, along with the leadership in Soboba helped secure $29 million for the tribe and up to 2 billion gallons of water a year, ensuring the future water supply of the 6000-acre reservation.

The John Kieffer Spirit of Sovereignty award is named in the honor of John Kieffer, a member of the Spokane Tribe. He was a selfless and dedicated member of the NIGA Executive Committee from 1993 until his untimely death in 1999. Keiffer was instrumental in the development of the modern NIGA structure and dedicated himself to the protection of Indian sovereign rights. In his memory NIGA chooses honorees dedicated to the organization's mission and purpose.

A. Gay Kingman-Wapato was honored with the NIGA Lifetime Achievement Award. Kingman-Wapato is no stranger to Capital hill, where she fought numerous battles for Indian Country alongside her late husband, Tim Wapato, who passed on earlier this year. Chairman Stevens told the crowd, "Gay's continued resiliency to fight to protect Indian sovereignty is an inspiration to all in Indian country."

"I am just a poor girl from the reservation." Explaining that this was a common quote of her late husband Tim Wapato, as she accepted her award. Kingman-Wapato continued, "I have been blessed by opportunities that have come my way all throughout my life. The main lesson I learned is you have to just to keep moving on behalf of tribal sovereignty, because what we do today will impact the future of Indian country."

Kingman-Wapato spoke of the NIGA beginnings. "There is something special to say about NIGA, it was born out of nothing, and it is where it is today because of those that have gone on like my husband Tim Wapato and John Kieffer." She continued, "I am glad that Chairman Stevens, Mark Van Norman and the NIGA Executive board have continued to work hard and take NIGA upwards and foreword to one of the most powerful Indian organizations."

Upon closing, Kingman-Wapato presented NIGA a check to create a NIGA scholarship fund in the memory of her late husband to be established for Native American students interested in pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice or Business.

Before Lumbee entertainer Jana Mashonee took stage, Chairman Stevens shared a closing message of unity and strength. "Honoring these strong beautiful women is a special moment and we can all feel the power of their energy. They truly exemplify the reason we have been successful in leveraging our presence in Washington, D.C. and all throughout Indian country and I am confident that we can continue to count on their strength and experiences as we move forward." Stevens concluded, "There is still a lot to accomplish and we cannot afford to rest. I know together we can successfully move the Indian country agenda forward."