September 2012 | Volume 3, Issue 14
Page 2
the 2012 Mid-Year conference wrap up
Ernie Stevens Jr. with Dick Trudell, Julius Erving and his associate Herbert.
Page 4
seminole leaders are honored
Joel M. Franks Sr. and President Tony Sanchez Jr. are honored at the Sovereignty Awards Banquet.
Page 8
Rock the vote
Jaynie Parrish addresses Tribal leaders at the NIGA Mid-Year Conference.
NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. introduces Julius Erving at the Mid-Year Sovereignty Awards Banquet.
NIGA CLOSES OUT MID YEAR CONFERENCE WITH SUCCESSFUL TRIBAL LEADERS MEETING & CHAIRMAN’S LUNCHEON INTERNET GAMING, HONORING SEMINOLE HISTORY ARE TOPICS National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. opened the last day of the successful Mid Year Conference with tribal officials representing their membership, centered around current issues related to gaming, legislative updates and the upcoming National elections. Stevens addressed the member tribes; “The purpose of this conference is not just get together, but it is to move Indian country forward. We have so many leaders here that have made a commitment to preserve and defend our sovereignty and rights for generations to come. I respect that commitment.” “We are facing new challenges today, and by coming together at such a historical place such as Seminole, we understand that when we work together, we can accomplish much for our people,” Stevens added. Some of these challenges were discussed in depth during the NIGA Executive Board meeting held during the Tribal leaders membership meeting. Action items such as Internet gaming, the IRS tax regulations, and Land Into Trust issues were top topics.
Jaynie Parrish, Field Coordinator for Rock the Vote, addressed the tribal leadership and encouraged the Native American community to be active in the voting process by casting their ballots for the upcoming election. NIGA and Rock the Vote have joined forces to emphasize the importance of the Native American vote and the difference it can make in tribal communities. Chairman Stevens, who has been excited to work with a young Native American leader, who he has known for many years in Jaynie Parrish. Stevens said, “No question, Indian people and the folks we interact with through business and employment are a tremendous voting influence. It is not out of our reach to dramatically impact any election, from local, municipal and State elections, all the way to the President of the United States.” Closing out the conference was the Chairman’s Luncheon, which included some of the most memorable highlights of the mid year meeting. During the luncheon, Chairman Stevens presented
2 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
Basketball Legend Julius Erving addresses the attendees at the Awards Banquet.
Chairman Stevens facilitates a pre-conference meeting with the NIGA Board.
The Mini-Expo was full of great products, like what Penta Building Group showcased.
NIGC Chairwoman Stevens revealed NIGC’s new 2013-2018 Strategy Plan at the Mid-Year Conference.
the Chairman’s Leadership Award to Chairman James Billie of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Chairman Billie is credited with being the one of the first leaders to bring modern gaming to his land after a long battle with state and federal courts in the late 1970s. Since that time, the Seminoles have become a successful gaming tribe in the United States. In presenting the award to Chairman Billie, Stevens told the crowd, “Indian country is a strong benefactor of the leadership of the Seminole tribe of Florida. Chairman Billie has dedicated his life to working for the Seminole community. It’s great to be here and to share in this legacy as we present him this leadership award. The Seminole tribe is a very important examples of positive economic development and growth in Indian country. Chairman Billie thanked NIGA for the honor, stating, “I’m usually at the wrong place at the wrong time, but with Indian gaming, I was there at the right time, and I thank the National Indian Gaming Association for recognizing the Seminole’s efforts to get where we are today.” In addition, acclaimed filmmaker Chris Eyre, of Smoke Signals and Skins fame, presented his latest project at the Chairman’s Luncheon. In collaboration with Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT), Eyre will produce “Growing Native,” a seven-part series focusing on reclaiming traditional knowledge and food ways to address critical issues of health and wellness, the environment, and human rights. “Growing Native” will focus on tribes, stories, and events from seven geographic regions, including the Northwest, Southwest, Southern Plains/Oklahoma, Northeast, Southeast, Northern Plains/Canada, and Alaska. The two-day conference also highlighted the Mid Year banquet where NIGA presented the prestigious John Kieffer Sovereignty Award to Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., president Tony Sanchez, Jr. and Joel Frank, Sr., who served as the first National Indian Gaming Commissioner in 1990, appointed by the former Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan, Jr. Chairman Greg Abrahamson, a long-standing at-large member of the NIGA Executive Board, presented the awards to Tony Sanchez Jr. and Joel Frank Sr,, took a moment to share Kieffer’s life and commitment to NIGA and Indian economic development and why these individuals are honored with an award with his namesake. This year, more than 500 Indian gaming professionals and tribal leadership from around the United States gathered at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for the NIGA Mid-Year Conference.
SEMINOLE LEADERS ARE HONORED Seminole Tribe of Florida President Tony Sanchez Jr. and tribal member Joel M. Frank Sr. to be honored by NIGA.
Joel M. Franks Sr. and President Tony Sanchez Jr. are honored at the Sovereignty Awards Banquet.
The National Indian Gaming Association, honored Seminole Tribe of Florida President Tony Sanchez Jr. and tribal member Joel M. Frank Sr. at the 14th Annual Sovereignty Awards Banquet on Tuesday with their prestigious John Kieffer Award. The award recognizes a selfless dedication to advancing the lives of Indian peoples socially and economically, building self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises, and being an advocate for Indian selfdetermination. Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., President Tony Sanchez Jr. has shown his leadership by identifying and developing new business holdings within his community and strengthening the Seminole Tribe’s business presence by significantly engaging in the diverse Florida marketplace. President Sanchez has exhibited a tireless dedication to the gaming industry through his work as the General Manager of the Seminole Casino in Immokalee. Joel M. Frank, Sr., also a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, has dedicated four decades to the furtherance of economic prosperity and the protection of stable governments for American Indians through his participation in organizations such as the National Indian Gaming Association, the United South & Eastern Tribes, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, AMERIND Risk Management Corporation, the Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs, and the North American Indigenous Games Council and the Indigenous Language Institute. In 1990, he accepted an appointment to serve on the newly formed National Indian Gaming Commission as their first commissioner. Mr. Frank has earned a reputation for integrity as an advocate and spokesman for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Greg Abrahamson, a NIGA Member-at-Large, presented the awards to Tony Sanchez Jr. and Joel Frank Sr,, took a moment to share Kieffer’s life
and commitment to NIGA and Indian economic development and why these individuals are honored with an award with his namesake. NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. said at the banquet, “We honor two great leaders from the Seminole Tribe of Florida who have devoted their lives to improving the well being of their people, their community and Indian country. The historical impact of the Seminole Tribe’s pursuit of economic self-sufficiently has already set a high standard regarding the preservation of tribal sovereignty. President Sanchez and Joel Frank’s determination of carrying on this tradition, has inspired many beyond their Tribe and the state of Florida. They have increased jobs, opportunities and given back a sense of pride to their people, and we thank them for their devoted service.” The awards were presented at the National Indian Gaming Association‘s Mid-Year Conference hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tuesday, September 18th, 2012.
4 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
photos from the 2012 MID-YEAR CONFERENCE
check out more photos on our facebook page!
5 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
INDIAN GAMING PATRIARCH IS HONORED AT CONFERENCE MODERN INDIAN GAMING warrior RECEIVES CHAIRMAN’S LEADERSHIP AWARD. During the last day of the National Indian Gaming Association Mid-Year Conference, James Billie of the Seminole Tribe of Florida was honored with a Chairman’s Leadership Award at a luncheon honoring his legacy. James Billie is credited being the first to bring legalized gaming to his land through battling state and federal courts during the late 1970s which has led to the Seminoles becoming one of the most financially solvent tribes in the United States. Elected Chairman of the tribe in 1979, he put a plan in motion that engineered the concept of Indian Gaming. That year the sum total of all the tribe’s net worth was less than $500 thousand dollars, by 2011 its financial success continued to grow, thanks to the acquisition of the Hard Rock franchise, a worldwide consortium of restaurants, hotels and casinos. Today, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, based in Hollywood, employs more than 12,000 through its government and its six gaming operations in the state. Billie, 67, who is recently recovering from a mild stroke, is reported to have missed only one tribal council meeting since the stroke, but Seminole officials are hoping he will be back for a slate of meetings next week. He narrated his history at the luncheon which follows the entire of Indian gaming, from the beginning to what is it today. “I’m usually at the wrong place at the wrong time, but with Indian gaming, I was there at the right time, and I thank the National Indian Gaming Association for recognizing the Seminole’s efforts to get where we are today,” Chief James Billie said. He is an expert Chickee builder, and was nominated for a Grammy for his song “Big Alligator.” As recreation, he plays “folk-rock” with his band “The Shack Daddies” A kind of music he playfully calls swamp-rock. In 1997 he was named a judge in the Miss Universe Pageant. He lives in Florida near the shores of Lake Okeechobee Lands of the Seminole Nation.
James E. Billie gives his remarks at the Leadership Luncheon honoring his service.
Under the leadership of Chairman James E. Billie, the Seminole Tribe opened the first high-stakes bingo hall in Florida.
6 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
The host of Growing Native Chris Eyre discusses the day’s shoot with Tulalip Tribal Chairman Melvin R. Sheldon, Jr. The Growing Native crew visited the Tulalip Reservation to film the 24th Annual Canoe Journey.
Chris Eyre SHares New project Filmmaker Presents his “Growing Native” to NIGA.
Chris Eyre addresses attendees of the NIGA Mid-Year Luncheon.
Every once in a while, the very idea of a documentary series exactly matches what’s going on at home. Such is the case with Growing Native. During the National Indian Gaming Associations 2012 Mid-Year Conference, filmmaker Chris Eyre presented his latest project. In a collaboration with Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT), Eyre will be a sevenpart series focusing on reclaiming traditional knowledge and food ways to address critical issues of health and wellness, the environment and human rights. NAPT exists to serve Native producers and Indian country in partnership with public television and radio. NAPT works with Native producers to develop, produce and distribute educational telecommunications programs for all media including public television and public radio. Growing Native will focus on Tribes, stories and events from seven geographic regions, including the Northwest, Southwest, Southern Plains/Oklahoma, Northeast, Southeast, Northern Plains/Canada and
Alaska. Across the country, Native people are regaining health and strength through the recovery and revitalization of traditional knowledge systems of land, language, traditional arts and health. The series will offer concrete advice and tools for Native viewers and others whose communities are struggling with obesity and related health problems. Additionally, the program website will feature resources for students and parents about Native history, language, food production and community health for each region the series explores. An online cookbook will provide information about how to grow and prepare Indigenous foods. Nutrition guides, games, mobile apps and community engagement will increase the project’s potential impact. Growing Native will feature events that are open to the public in hopes of broadening the impact this series will have on tourism. To learn more, go to www.nativetelecom.org
7 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
Jaynie Parrish addresses Tribal leaders at the NIGA Mid-Year Conference.
Rock the Vote Jaynie parrish informs NIGA Members of her new partnership. Did you know, according to the U.S. census, that Latinos and Native Americans account for more than 50 percent of the U.S. population growth over the past decade? Rock the Vote is a 21-year-old organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to build political power for young people. Its website says these growing Latino and Native American populations are “disproportionately young, and unregistered.” “In many Native communities, up to 40 percent of the population is under the age of 25, so this is a real focus point for Rock the Vote. It’s another big election year, so we want to make sure that more young Native Americans are involved,” said Jaynie Parrish, the field organizer/coordinator for Rock the Vote Southwest. However, this is no easy task. Rock the Vote says
that not only are states refusing to modernize election systems, they’re moving in the opposite direction of progress and making it harder to vote with restrictive new laws on voter registration, early voting, voter identification and residency requirements. Indian country is moving in the digital era, nationally, nearly 80 percent of Natives with Internet service have high-speed access. A big part of the Rock the Vote Southwest strategy is to employ online and mobile technologies such as tweeting, texting and blogging, as well as the social networking hotspot Facebook to reach, educate and register young Latinos and Native Americans. Parrish said she needs “armies of volunteers” to form “Rez Teams” who will be dedicated to setting up their own registration events. She can be reached at jaynie@rockthevote.com.
8 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012
SAVE THE DATE!
Executive Director Jason Giles listens to tribal leaders discuss Internet Gaming issues.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TRIBAL LEADERS discuss top topics Throughout the Mid-Year Conference, NIGA board members and tribal leaders met to discuss the latest legislative agenda at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, September 18-19, 2012. Some of these challenges were discussed in depth during the NIGA Executive Board meeting held and during the Tribal leaders membership meeting. Action items such as Internet gaming, the IRS and tax regulations, and Land Into Trust issues were top topics. Chairman Ernie Stevens convened the meeting with a strong reminder that the Internet gaming debate and NIGA’s dialogue on this issue will be driven by Tribal leaders and their representatives. “We are hosting this meeting as to receive tribal
leader input. I can say, that our NIGA principles regarding Internet gaming have guided the organization for the past two years, and those principles were debated and developed by our tribal leadership,” Chairman Stevens said to a full banquet room of about 200 people. “NIGA and our Member Tribes have been engaged in this debate for 12 years. We will continue to on top of this issue, inform our Members, and, working as a united front, Indian Country will work hard to ensure that any Internet legislation coming out of Congress will fully respect tribal sovereignty, provide equal access to Tribal operations, and protect the rights of tribes under IGRA and in existing compacts.”
10 | Indian gaming update - SEPTEMBER 2012