Looking Back 2009

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you and your families as we begin the New Year!

As we move into a new decade, the National Indian Gaming Association and I will continue to place a premium on protecting Indian Gaming and defending Tribal Sovereignty. Our commitment to the Tribal leadership, entrusted by 184 member Tribes and 103 Associate Members, is to “stand strong” with Indian Country and further advance our platform.

It was a very productive legislative year for Indian country on Capitol Hill and we can attribute that to the hard work, dedication and a unified effort from our Member Tribes, the NIGA team here in DC, and our sister organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). On an inspirational note, the Native American Heritage Day 2009 Bill was passed and signed into law by President Barack Obama in June.

Last year, President Obama also made good on his promises to Indian country, as a result we have witnessed a renewed energy from our nation’s Capitol. First, upon his confirmation in the White House, Obama appointed qualified Native Americans to key Cabinet and White House positions.

Second, in November, he made history by hosting Tribal leaders to a White House Forum, giving Tribal leadership an opportunity to voice their concerns over issues confronting Tribal communities. Working along side other National organizations such as NCAI, and regional Tribal gaming organizations, Indian country secured a pledge from the White House that executive agencies, including the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), will truly consult with Tribal Governments. President Obama issued an Executive Memorandum to all federal agency heads directing them to review and implement their Tribal consultation policy. We hope to use this momentum to renew the government’s focus on meaningful government-to-government consultation.

After six years of service, Chairman Phil Hogan retired from the NIGC. We will immediately begin working with the new appointees as we move forward. It has always been our commitment to work with the NIGC actively to enhance the communication and dialogue with our Member Tribes. With the momentum shown by the Obama Administration, we are confident that we can look forward to beginning a new chapter with the NIGC, built upon the administrative rules for federal agencies and the presidential executive orders

It is also critical that we stand firm insisting that the NIGC use Indian preference for hiring practices, in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act. The NIGC is a federal agency serving Indian country and intended to promote tribal self-governance and strong Tribal government. Two of its three commissioners must be Indian, and thereby Indian preference should be observed when hiring staff. Finally, NIGA will continue to request that the NIGC implement a “best practices” procedure for Indian gaming regulation in order to assist Tribal governments to build strong Tribal regulatory agencies.

Our industry continues to be one of the most well regulated industries in the country. Upon this foundation, Tribes continue to build and strengthen their communities and provide essential services to their citizens. Indian gaming has also helped the American economy with the creation of over 550,000 jobs. While the Indian gaming industry has remained strong and resilient over all, we are very cognizant of the current state of the economy and we continue to rely on the outstanding commitment of the Tribal leadership and our Industry professionals to work our way through today’s economic climate.

The National Indian Gaming Association will continue to encourage Tribes to look towards helping diversify their economies with gaming revenues though such avenues as the tourism industry, tapping in on the most majestic and prominent natural resources of Indian country. While many predict that 2010 shows promise for economic improvement, we know that in order to continue to maintain the quality of life in Tribal communities, economic diversification is key.

In supporting this effort, we continue to build upon the American Indian Business Network (AIBN). By establishing this non-profit organization as an arm of the National Indian Gaming Association we are building upon one of our greatest resources - Our Indian people. In March, we appointed AIBN board members from throughout Indian country, who will work to provide the leadership and direction of AIBN. With the AIBN, everybody has a role, whether it is a Tribally owned business, Native owned business, or any businesses ready to support the development and creation of jobs and opportunities for Indian country. The AIBN will be key in helping develop additional revenue and further spread the opportunities that gaming has provided to all of Indian country.

We also established the National Indian Gaming Association Climate Change Committee to help do our part in address environmental concerns in our industry. This Committee is comprised of environmental advocates, Tribal educators, and industry leaders who coordinate with other organizations to push forward this national Tribal initiative. As we expect Congress to move forward with Climate Change legislation early this year, NIGA has continued to use our Climate Change Committee to make climate change education a priority in our industry.

Indian gaming is an energy intensive industry, yet we are a young industry with many new, modern facilities. While many Tribes are already doing their part in practicing energy efficiency, we want to promote and encourage climate change adaptation by urging Indian gaming operations to model eco-friendly designs or “go green” and beyond in keeping with our traditional and cultural values.

I want thank all of our Tribes and corporate sponsors who have supported NIGA’s various fundraising activities throughout the year. In particular, our annual Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation Scholarship and holiday giving program. It was a tremendous success once again this year. For the third year, we joined the Lakota Nations Invitational events in Rapid City, South Dakota to present contributions and Christmas gifts. This is a very special program, which brings joy to so many Indian communities during the holidays. It has been my honor to work with South Dakota State Representative Kevin Killer for nine years on the Christmas drive and each year we are left with even more special experiences.

As we begin our work in 2010, The National Indian Gaming Association will be on the legislative front in Washington, D.C., we will continue to join forces with our sister organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to promote and protect the interests of Indian country. NIGA expects the 2010 congressional election to bring new faces to Capitol Hill. New faces represent new opportunities to educate and enlighten Congressional leaders about the numerous treaties, laws, and court decisions recognizing Tribal sovereignty.

This April, thousands of people will visit San Diego for NIGA’s 20th annual trade show and membership meeting. We are excited about the energy and potential of this year’s show at the San Diego Convention Center. For Indian country, this is an important gathering as it brings together Tribal leaders, businesses and organizations from across the country who are working hard to build upon one of America’s true success stories, Indian gaming, which has advanced the lives of Indian people economically, socially and politically.

As we look forward to a new year, it is more important than ever that we approach 2010 with a united front. Working together, we can continue to defend our sovereignty and advance the lives of our Indian people while helping bring restoration to America’s economy.

As Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, I pledge once again to work at the direction of our Tribal leadership. I can assure you that it is with confidence and determination that NIGA will stand with Indian country in 2010.

Sincerely

Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Chairman

Everybody Leaves a Footprint

Last November, Nike, Inc., officially launched the Nike Air Native N7 Collection, created to promote youth fitness and youth sport programs in Native American communities throughout the country. Nike will use the shoe collection to help finance the N7 program and the Nike “Let Me Play on Native Lands Fund.”

Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. who also serves as a board of director for the Nike Native Lands Fund Board has made it his personal commitment to visit a Nike store in every town in conjunction with his travels throughout, representing the National Indian Gaming Association and do his part to personally purchase one or two pairs of the N7 shoe line until each member of his family is wearing the shoe.

During the Native American Heritage Day celebrations in Phoenix, Arizona, in November, Stevens was able to visit the Nike Outlet Store in Tempe, Arizona where he personally purchase two pairs of the N7 shoes for two of his nine grandchildren.

Native American Heritage Day 2009

Native American Heritage Day 2009 was greeted with coast to coast events that welcomed the long-deserved and wellearned recognition of American Indians and celebrated Native tradition, history and culture.

In June, President Barrack Obama signed into law the Native American Heritage Day 2009 Bill, making the day after Thanksgiving Native American Heritage Day, which was Friday, November 27, 2009.

Out west, in the Valley of the Phoenix Suns, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., joined the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI) in celebrating Native American Heritage Day 2009 on Wednesday, November 25, at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Stevens, who also serves as Vice President of Tribal Relations for the NABI Foundation said, “We are proud to be celebrating Native American Heritage Day with the Phoenix Suns Organization, once again.”

“National recognition of Native American Heritage Day is powerful because it is an enduring symbol of this country’s appreciation and respect for America’s First Nations.“ Stevens said.

During the pre-game activities, Stevens and NABI cofounders Mark West and Gina Marie Scarpa presented Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire a pair of the recently released Nike N7 shoes for his work on behalf of NABI. Stoudemire serves as an honorary member of the NABI board.

“Amare and the Phoenix Suns have always reached out to our Native communities and have also shown great support for NABI since its inception. Implementing a Native American day celebration each year further acknowledges their commitment to Indian country” Stevens said.

Prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Suns representatives and NABI representatives greeted Native American ticket holders and were given Phoenix Suns garb commemorating the celebration. They also had an opportunity to join a pre-game Phoenix Suns warm up session. After the pre-game practice session, a NABI youth mini basketball scrimmage took place on the Suns court. Outside the U.S. West Arena, the Heritage Day dance group from Phoenix, Arizona provided a display of Native American traditional dance that entertained the crowd. The night proved even more satisfying for Suns fans as they watched their beloved team defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-91.

On the East coast, in our nation’s capital, hundreds of people packed the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) on November 27th to celebrate the holiday and learn about the culture and countless contributions of Indian people.

Traditional Tlingit dancers and the Yaaw Tei Yi Dance Group from Juneau, Alaska, performed cultural dances for the celebration attendees. In addition, the event featured several booths and exhibitions on Native food and arts.

“The performance at NMAI on Native American Heritage Day was attended by the largest audience the Yaaw Tei Yi Dance Group has seen in the foyer area in the three times we have performed here. The main floor, the area around the gift shops, and the first and second floor railings were filled to capacity of 300 plus audience,” said NIGA executive board member and dance group leader Andy Ebona.

In addition to their performance at NMAI, the Yaaw Tei Yi performed at Darnestown Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. About 100 students learned about Native culture, and also got to sing and dance with the Yaaw Tei Yi.

“It was an absolute thrill to be able to share our culture with so many on Native American Heritage Day,” said Ebona.

Spreading Holiday Cheer with the Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive

The holiday spirit of giving was in full force at this year’s Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) in Rapid City, South Dakota, as the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. made presentations on behalf of the annual Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive.

The presentations took place during half time at the LNI, an annual celebration that includes a sports tournament, youth festival, cultural showcase, and powwow. This year’s invitational was held from December 15-19 at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The invitational features a basketball, cross country, and cheerleading tournament as well as other events such as a language and cultural bowl. Hundreds of attendees in the Great Plains Region flock to LNI every year to show their support for the participating youth and to share in the holiday spirit this event brings.

The Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation, an entity of NIGA, is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide tribes, tribal programs, and Indian country students with funding, scholarships, and other types of aid. For nine years, the Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive has helped tribes, tribal programs, and tribal non-profit organizations with funding to continue their holiday programs and services throughout Indian country. This is the third year that Drive was part of the LNI events.

With help from Kevin Killer, South Dakota State Representative and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Native American hip-hop artist and actor Litefoot, Chairman Stevens presented checks to the Christmas Drive recipients and encouraged the attendees of the tournament to continue to do all they can do to make their communities a better place.

Earlier in the day, during the LNI youth festival, Chairman Stevens and Litefoot challenged the youth to tap into their creative writing abilities by asking them to provide personal written testimonials of their good deeds at home or in school in 2009. In exchange, NIGA and Litefoot partnered in donating sweatshirts and T-shirts from the Native American Clothing line, a subsidiary owned by Litefoot to the participants of the writing exercise.

In addition, Chairman Stevens and Litefoot were presented with painted buffalo hides from Rep. Kevin Killer for their dedication to aiding the tribes and program within the Great Plains region through the Christmas Drive.

Both Chairman Stevens and Litefoot were thrilled with the success of the Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive.

“The opportunity to provide donations to those in need through our Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive would not be possible without the great support we continue to get from all of those who have contributed. Once again, this allows us to give Christmas gifts to those who might have gone without on Christmas day.”

“Litefoot, The Association for American Indian Development, and Native Style Clothing are proud to have been part of the National Indian Gaming Association’s Christmas Drive at the Lakota Nation Invitational. We are honored to help bring upliftment and holiday cheer to hundreds of our Lakota people and we look forward to joining in and helping with next year’s Christmas Drive,” said Litefoot.

Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas Drive
2009 CONTRIBUTORS
Forest County Potawatomi Tribe	International Gaming Technology
Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians	Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians	Hawaiian Gardens Casino
Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians	The Bicycle Casino
Barona Band of Mission Indians	Commerce Casino
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians	Hollywood Park Casino
Table Mountain Rancheria Tribe	Litefoot & Native Style Clothing
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community	Thalden-Boyd Architects, LLC
	Bobby Barrett Foundation
	Soaring Eagle Foundation
	Rodney Grant
Thank you for your support!
Thanks also goes to those Tribes, Organizations and Individuals who contributed after publication deadline of the Indian Gaming Update