February 2012 | Volume 3, Issue 9
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NIGA hosts their annual Winter Legislative Summit in Washington, DC
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The CNIGA host their Western Conference at Morongo Casino, Hotel & Spa
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NCAI deliver their Annual State of Indian Nations Address at the Newseum
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Chairman Ernie Stevens Visits Prairie Band of Potawatomi Tribal Council
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+ SUMMIT 2012 + Washington, DC (February 9, 2012) – The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) hosted their bi-annual legislative summit, hosted in Washington, DC, February 7-8, 2012. Over 250 Tribal leaders and industry professionals registered for the event. They gathered in the Hart Senate Office Building to discuss current federal legislation, internet gaming, the Department of Justice Memorandum on the Wire Act, the state of the Carcieri Bill, tribal labor issues, IRS taxation, and NIGC regulatory issues. On Tuesday, Senators Patty Murray from Washington State, Mark Begich from Alaska, and Daniel Akaka from Hawaii, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, provided a firsthand update on the Native issues before Congress. Congresswoman Betty
McCollum from Minnesota, Congressman Ron Kind from Wisconsin and Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, also provided updates. NIGA member tribes also came together at the NIGA evening reception at the Congressional Rayburn Office Building where Senator Daniel Inouye, from Hawaii addressed them. Chairman Ernie Stevens, along with Executive Director Jason Giles, several Executive Board members, member tribes and the staff represented NIGA. “Because we continue to come together in dialogue like this, with the strong dedication of our tribal leadership and Indian gaming professionals, we have consistently fought to defend and strengthen tribal sovereignty for more than two decades.” the Chairman stated. “I am proud to way that our leadership on the frontlines is strong and no matter what the issue is, the bottom line always is protecting tribal sovereignty. We stand together with our NIGA staff firmly planted in the ground.” The morning session on Wednesday will facilitate Tribal gaming policy and attendees will hear new updates from Congressional speakers, the National Indian Gaming Commission and other Tribal Leaders. The winter summit continued on Wednesday at the United States Dirksen Senate Office Building at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing room. Tribal leaders gathered to hear updates from additional Congressional speakers such as Congressman Denham of California, Congressman Kildee of Michigan, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack of California and Congressman Tom Cole, of Oklahoma. NIGA ended the winter summit with a Tribal Leaders reception hosted by NIGA and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). For more photos of the event, please click here; http:// on.fb.me/Az04zB
2 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2012
+ CNIGA + Cabazon, CA (February 1, 2012) – California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) welcomed participating members to their 17th Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference at the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa. On Wednesday morning, all attendees were invited to the general seminars where panelists took an interactive look at federal legislation and other provisions, current California state legislation and new dynamics involving Internet gaming. Moderated by Jerome Encinas, CNIGA’s Director of Government Affairs, litigators and California tribal attorneys were asked by the attendees what future opportunities could be most beneficial to California Indian gaming. Participating in the audience was Ernie Stevens, Jr,, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, who provided reassurance that NIGA’s strong stance on the current re-interpretation of the Wire Act was a tempered issue. “Right now, the issue of Internet gaming this is a not a new one, especially not new to our friends here in California,” Chairman Stevens said. “Here, Tribes have the prerogative to make those decisions that will be best to their communities. Simply put, states cannot move forward without the comprehension of our sovereignty.” “There is a momentum of energy on this topic and we want our nations to know that our work in Washington will not waiver,” Chairman Stevens said. “I applaud our Native issue-based litigators who are here on this panel today, who have a strong relationship with NIGA, and I look forward to working on building a positive conversation regarding our Indian gaming enterprises.” The CNIGA Conference also hosted a golf tournament, a tribal leaders luncheon and an afternoon of seminars with three separate tracks involving; Tribal government, casino operations, and casino regulation. For more photos of the event, please click here; http:// on.fb.me/Az04zB
3 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2012
+ INDIAN NATIONS ADDRESS + Washington, DC (January 30, 2012) – National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel of the Chickasaw Nation delivered an annual State of Indian Nations Address hosted at the Newseum in Washington, DC. In his speech, he outlines the current status regarding Native economies, infrastructure growth, and their relationship with the federal government. Tribal leaders, key presidential appointees, federal officials, and other leaders from respective Native-issue based nonprofits were in attendance. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. and Executive Director Jason Giles were also there. The key economic development issues President Keel outlined are; lack of business counseling, technical assistance, loans, investments, bond financing transportation and infrastructure development. Addressing these issues will help facilitate a stronger economic growth and job creation dialog. “I gladly support the Budget Request for FY 2013 that
President Keel has outlined. In these past few years, we have seen a monumental shift in attention toward our Native communities, and this request outlines exactly what we need and what we have been promised. In regard to building strong economies in Indian country, we know that Indian gaming has and will be a centerpiece on positive community growth,” Chairman Stevens said after the address. “I support the message delivered by Jefferson Keel. The protection of tribal sovereignty will always be the reason NIGA and NCAI are here in Washington, DC, and President Keel’s message takes Indian country in the right direction.” The common commitment and purpose of National Indian Gaming Association is to advance the lives of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. The mission of NIGA is to protect and preserve the general welfare of tribes striving for self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises in Indian Country. In addition, NIGA seeks to maintain and protect Indian sovereign governmental authority in Indian Country.
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+ EXTRA + MORE PHOTOS ARE FOUND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
+ VISITS + NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION CHAIR ERNIE STEVENS VISITS PRAIRIE BAND OF POTAWATOMI TRIBAL COUNCIL The purpose of the National Indian Gaming Association that began in 1985 is to assist tribes with their gaming enterprises in working with the federal government and other entities. Stevens has been the chairman of NIGA since 2001 and is also active in several other national Indian organizations. NIGA is preparing to hold its annual Indian Gaming Trade Show and Convention April 1-4 in San Diego and representatives from the Tribal Council and Prairie Band Casino & Resort are planning to attend.
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Watch highlights of the 2010 Phoenix Convention on YouTube.com