SEARCH NEWS:

 

NIGA Chair Honored

LAS VEGAS – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development today awarded its most prestigious honor - the "American Indian Tribal Leadership Award" - to Ernie Stevens Jr., a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA).

In 1969, Stevens' father -- Ernie Stevens Sr. -- was one of the seven founding members of the National Center. Stevens said that the award would be dedicated to both his father and to his tribe.

National Center board member David Lester, a member of the Creek Nation and President of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, called Stevens "one of the great leaders in the country."

"Ernie Stevens Jr., and the National Indian Gaming Association have been at the forefront of defending tribal governments' right to self governance and the right to build their economies," said Lester. "In a very real sense, the conceptual idea of an organization dedicated to assist individual Indians and tribal enterprises was born in the mind of Ernie Stevens Sr., and today, I am very proud that his son is being honored by the organization that has grown to become a very strong force in the success of Indian business today.

"I dedicate this award to my father," said Stevens. "Through him I have learned that we have to carry out our dreams and these dreams are what the National Center is all about...the dreams about Indian economic development and empowering Indian Country through business."

Stevens also thanked Nancy Plon of the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) and Marty Hale, President and CEO of Blue Moon Solutions, Inc., for their work in helping Indian communities bridge the communications gap that currently exists between many parts of Indian Country and the rest of the country.

"The use of modern technology will help us expand our businesses and be successful," said Stevens. "This is very important -- we cannot be intimidated by the new technologies, because it is communications and technology that will take us into a an era of prosperity for Native people."

Stevens said that the NIGA's and the National Center's missions were similar in that both organizations seek to expand economic opportunity in Indian Country.

"There is a tremendous amount of business diversification going on today throughout Indian Country, much which has been brought with the help of Indian gaming," said Stevens. "We have world class resorts and spas, waterparks and shopping centers," said Stevens. "There is Quil Ceda Village, owned by the Tulalip Tribes in Washington and my own tribe has a Walmart."

"Our gaming facilities bring in some of the world's best entertainment," said Stevens, noting that the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut owns a NBA team and that Indian casinos are hosting world championship boxing matched, watched by millions on national networks.

Stevens talked about the 2004 partnership between NIGA and the National Center and its two major components, the American Indian Business Network and the Native American Hotel and Resort Network, which are designed to bring more Native businesses into Indian casinos.

"Our Indian reservations are located on some of the most beautiful lands in the world," said Stevens. "We have some of the best hotels and resorts, spas, fishing and hunting."

"This is a very exciting opportunity to promote Indian businesses...we owe this to our Indian entrepreneurs," said Stevens. "We owe them the opportunity to get seed funds, to get training and to get into business...that's what our partnership with the National Center is all about."

Stevens noted that Pete Homer, President of the National Indian Business Network will be a co-chair in this effort.

Stevens also referenced the issue of tax-exempt bonding, which NIGA continues to battle in the Congress. "States and other entities can do this, but Indian Country cannot...we must work on changing this."

"I am very excited about what our future may hold with regard to Indian gaming, but we must understand that Indian Country must be included in our success," said Stevens. "That's what the partnership between NIGA and the National Center is all about."

In closing, Stevens encouraged everyone to attend NIGA's trade show, which will take place April 10-13 in San Diego, Calif.

The National Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit trade association comprised of 184 American Indian Nations and other non-voting associate members. The mission of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people - economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.

< Gaming News