DECEMBER 2012 | Volume 3, Issue 16
PAGE 2
TRIBAL LEADERS DISCUSS STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS, SENATE AND PRESIDENT IN VEGAS
Brian Patterson, President of USET addresses the Tribal Leaders in Las Vegas, NV.
PAGE 3
NIGA SEMINAR INSTITUTE GRADUATES 75 INDIAN GAMING COMMISSIONERS IN LAS VEGAS
Joseph Eve provides training for the NIGA Seminar Institute.
PAGE 6
SENATE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON NATIVE IDENTITY
Witnesses stand with Chairman Stevens in the SCIA Hearing Room .
Brian Patterson, President of USET addresses the Tribal Leaders in Las Vegas, NV.
TRIBAL LEADERS DISCUSS STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS, SENATE AND PRESIDENT OVER 24,000 ATTEND VEGAS TRADESHOW Las Vegas, NV (November 9, 2012) - The National Indian Gaming Association invited Tribal Leaders to South Point Casino in Las Vegas to discuss the results of the November 6 Election. Top items of discussion were Internet gaming and IRS tribal taxation issues. The results will also effect how the “lame duck” Congress addresses Indian country’s priorities of Internet gaming, Carcieri fix legislation and taxation of benefits. “We are staying ahead of our message and building a conversation with our tribal leaders,” NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. said. “We are analyzing who is coming into the 113th Congress and looking at ways on how
we can continue to work with President Obama and moving Indian Country forward.” Over 100 tribal leaders and Indian gaming professionals attended the two-day meeting which concludes on the 9th. The “lame duck” governing session begins November 13th to resolve some vitally important issues. The strategy meeting was hosted in conjunction with the 37th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo hosted in the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. The INFR currently has 11 Regions within the United States and Canada.
2 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012
NIGA SEMINAR INSTITUTE GRADUATES 75 INDIAN GAMING COMMISSIONERS IN LAS VEGAS Las Vegas (November 13, 2012) - Hosted in conjunction with the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the National Indian Gaming Association’s Seminar Institute invited all Indian gaming commissioners to a three-day intensive training and certification course. The NIGA Seminar Institute, the premier training in tribal gaming regulation, trained 75 commissioners in a three-part certification series with real-life scenarios and hands-on activities. Elizabeth Homer of joined gaming expert George Joseph of Worldwide Casino Consulting and Joseph Eve CPA Specialists to bring the most current topics facing Indian gaming and the entire gaming industry.
“We brought the best executives to represent the gaming industry for our commissioners. We provided thorough education of today’s industry and gave them real insight to casino operations,” said NIGA Seminar Director Missy Tracy, who facilitated the courses. “We think it is crucial that every Indian gaming commissioner take this training.” The purpose of the NIGA Seminar Institute is to keep Native American casinos up to regulations and standards. The training is designed for new regulatory staff, experienced tribal gaming regulators, Tribal leaders and casino managers, tribal attorneys, and economic development/gaming board. For more information on the Institute and upcoming schedule, please visit www.indiangaming.org.
3 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012
Senator Daniel Inouye and Chairman Ernie Stevens at the NIGA 2011 Legislative Summit.
A MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE BY NIGA CHAIRMAN ERNEST L. STEVENS, JR., AND NIGA VICE CHAIRMAN KEVIN LEECY We mourn the loss of our friend, leader and elder statesman, Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Dan Inouye was one of the giants of our time, serving in the Senate for 50 years and in the House before that. Senator Inouye’s tenure in Congress reaches back to Hawaii’s statehood and the election of President John F. Kennedy. His tenure reaches forward to the election of President Barack Obama, whom he served as a mentor and councilor. Senator Inouye was a warrior for our Nation and a warrior for civil rights. After surviving Pearl Harbor, when the United States interned his Japanese American people as foreign enemies, Dan Inouye left his job as a Sunday school teacher to volunteer for the Army. He fought in some of the most fierce battles in the Allied liberation of Italy, leading his men through danger. He lost his arm and earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, leading his men in the capture of a fiercely fortified German redoubt. Later, he secured an American apology to the Japanese American people for their wrongful internment.
AS CHAIRMAN, SENATOR INOUYE MOVED SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INDIAN LEGISLATION OF OUR TIME THROUGH THE SENATE, INCLUDING: • THE INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT; • ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN; • THE NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT; • THE TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE ACT; • THE AMERICAN INDIAN TRUST FUND MANAGEMENT ACT; • THE INDIAN FINANCING ACT; • THE NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION ACT; AND • THE NATIVE AMERICAN BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER TREATMENT ACT.
4 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012
SENATOR BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL SAID OF HIS LONGTIME FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE,
“I WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF MY DEAR FRIEND, DANNY INOUYE. SENATOR INOUYE WAS BOTH A MENTOR AND A BROTHER TO ME. HE WAS A GREAT AMERICAN WHO SERVED HIS COUNTRY AS A WAR HERO AND AS A GREAT STATESMAN.” “WHEN I WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, HE WAS MY VICE CHAIR, AND WHEN HE WAS CHAIRMAN, I WAS HIS VICE CHAIR. THERE WAS NEVER ANY PARTISANSHIP ON OUR COMMITTEE, WE ALWAYS SHARED THE GAVEL. THERE WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE BEEN A FULL COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS IN THE SENATE, IF NOT FOR SENATOR INOUYE. SENATOR INOUYE WAS A CHAMPION OF INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY AND A MAN OF ENORMOUS COMPASSION. HE WAS THE GO-TO GUY FOR INDIAN COUNTRY.” “THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DAN INOUYE. I AM HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF HIS LIFE.” STATEMENT OF BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, NORTHERN CHEYENNE, U.S. SENATOR (CO-RETIRED).
He was a champion who stood strong and firm in his beliefs, which were instilled on to him as a young boy by his mother to do whatever he could to help his people and he truly cared for our Native people. In 1986, Senator Inouye was appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, which he later used his influence in the Senate to establish as a full Committee. Senator Inouye recognized the difficult history between the United States and Native Americans. Addressing the United States Apology to Native Americans, Senator Inouye said: “In our early days as a nation, we entered into treaties with Native Americans pursuant to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution that recognize them as sovereigns. But later, we abandoned the path of an honorable course of dealings, and turned to war…. The treaties could have signaled a return to a course of honorable dealings … had the United States not proceeded to break provisions in every single one of the treaties….” When Indian country faced difficult times and outside interest groups attacked Indian rights, Indian Country could completely rely on Senator Inouye’s support for American Indian rights. For example, in the 109th Congress, when Indian gaming was under attack, Senator Inouye worked to provide fairness and to protect the integrity of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Senator Inouye was a champion for Indian sovereignty, and while he was not a supporter of gaming, he respected the right of Indian nations as sovereigns to choose gaming to provide for their communities, and would often tell us “Never give up your sovereignty. It is the foundation for your survival.” Senator Inouye was like a father to us. He was Indian Country’s Champion. To us, he is a true Chief, vested with dignity, love for the American people and our Nation, and a deep sense of the Nation’s honor. Senator Inouye had a special place in his heart for Native peoples, and we embrace the legacy that he left to tribal governments. His work is embedded in the growing presence Indian country asserts in Washington, D.C. today. He is our foundation. We honor and thank Senator Inouye for all of his work, his friendship, and support. On behalf of Indian country, we wish him well on the journey to the Spirit World.”
5 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012
(L-R) Tonantzin Carmelo, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award Nominated Actor, Sam McCracken, General Manager & Nike N7 Programs and CEO of the N7 Fund, Mary Kim Titla, Educator/Journalist, Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association, Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman, Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), Steve Valbuena, Lynn’s Husband, Marjorie Tahbone, Miss Indian World 2011-12 and Andrew J. LeeTrustee, the National Museum of the American Indian and Executive at Aetna Inc.
SENATE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON NATIVE IDENTITY On Thursday, November 29 2012, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on “Reclaiming Our Image and Identity for the Next Seven Generations.” Witnesses included; Lynn Valbuena, former NIGA Secretary and Chairwoman of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) from Patton, California. In her testimony, Chairwoman Valbuena said, “Tribal people should not be in the position of constantly having to undo misperceptions caused in part by flawed policies… We look for Congress’s collaboration in to the future so that tour image and identity is strong and vibrant for the next seven generations.” Other witnesses included; Andrew J. Lee, a Trustee of the National Museum of the American Indian; Mary Kim Titla, an educator and journalist; Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike N7 Programs; Tonantzin
Carmelo, a SAG nominated actress; and Marjorie Tahbone, who served as Miss Indian World 2011-12. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. also attended the hearing to support the witnesses. This hearing on November 29, 2012 was also the last that Hawai’i Senator Daniel Akaka will preside over as he is retiring at the end of his term in the Senate. “Every single witness here today provides a unique perspective on our Native identity. Throughout American history, the authors of our stories have not been told from our perspective, and a Congressional hearing like this gives us the opportunity to do what is right and that is to put our stories back in our hands so that it is told truthfully and with conviction, “ Chairman Stevens said. “Our organization also came here on this day to thank Senator Akaka for leading the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in a way that provided a venue that respects Nation-to-Nation cooperation and acknowledges our sovereign rights as Native people of this land. He has truly become a dear friend of mine and we will truly miss his presence. Senator Akaka has long been a warrior for Indian country and will be remembered as one of the greatest heroes in American history.”
6 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012
Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Clara Pratte and Joseph Sarcinella stand with NIGA Chairman Stevens Jr. during a check presentation.
SPIRIT OF SOVEREIGNTY FOUNDATION DONATES TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE DINÉ NATION The Spirit of Sovereignty (SOS), a entity of the National Indian Gaming Association, donated $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Dine’ Nation. The donation will help to continue service to five locations within the Navajo Nation to youth with educational activities, organized athletics, citizenship and leadership groups, cultural activities and life skills programs. “We are happy to support our future leaders in our community,” Ernie Stevens Jr., Chairman of the NIGA, said in a statement during the check presentation. Clara Pratte, of the Navajo Nation Washington, DC Office remarked, “The Navajo Nation is appreciative of the National Indian Gaming Association’s commitment to the Boys and Girls Club of the Dine Nation and we look forward to working in partnership with NIGA for the benefit of our Navajo youth. We are especially thankful for the leadership of Chairman Stevens and his continued leadership with President Shelly.” There are agency offices located at Chinle,AZ; Crownpoint, NM; Fort Defiance, AZ; Shiprock, NM; and Tuba City, AZ. The administration office is located in Window Rock, AZ at the Navajo Education Center. The Office of Youth Development (OYD) is committed
to insuring that Navajo Youth under 21 years of age benefit from youth services available to them and that the services be provided in a manner that develops positive attitudes, enhance positive self-image, confidence, maturity, and pride in being a productive member of society. The Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded by its parent entity, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), to reward the educational goals of exceptional Native-American students. The Spirit of Sovereignty also will participate in the annual gift drive at the Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City. This will be the twelfth year the SOS has participated. Started in 2000, the Foundation has awarded many scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students. The organization is committed to generating scholarship funds, and welcomes contributions of both time and money. The Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation currently awards scholarships through the American Indian College Fund. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diné Nation (BGCDN) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
7 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - DECEMBER 2012