Casino Enterprise Management

As we near the end of another year, I am filled with overwhelming pride and admiration for all that Indian Country has accomplished to make Indian Gaming a successful and promising industry. We entered 2007 knowing that our $22 billion industry not only played an important cultural role in the history of the United States, but for the first time in centuries, was crucial to the economic interests and vitality of the entire country as well. It seems appropriate in this year-end issue of CEM to recognize some of our industry’s accomplishments, highlights and success stories of 2007.

As a national organization representing hundreds of Indian Nations, the National Indian Gaming Association’s (NIGA) first priority is always to protect and defend Indian Sovereignty. We do this by keeping the best interests of our constituents foremost in our thoughts. In 2007, we continued this mission by working as a united front with tribal leaders to advance the lives of Indian people economically, socially and politically.

As 2007 began, we were coming off the heels of mid-year elections. This provided Indian Country an opportunity to educate a number of newly elected officials. We met with several freshmen Congressional members that did not have tribes in their districts, or even their states. NIGA and other Tribal groups and governments worked to inform these leaders of the most basic of principles — that the Constitution they swore to uphold includes the recognition of Indian Tribes as sovereign governments.

Our legislative activity throughout the year included a variety of issues affecting all of Indian Country, not just tribes with gaming compacts. NIGA, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and tribal governments worked hand-in-hand to fight for the passage of the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, for the introduction of a bill to designate a National Native American Heritage Day, and for the introduction of Tribal Tax-Exempt Bond legislation.

In addition to our legislative efforts, NIGA worked on a number of initiatives to help tribal governments build and sustain healthy economies. For example, through our continued relationship with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), as well as other groups, like the National Indian Business Association and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, we worked hard to ensure the future success and well being of our Native- and tribal-owned businesses.

NIGA wants to make certain that our Native businesses are given an equal footing with other non-Native businesses when competing for Indian casino contracts. It was in this spirit that NIGA launched the American Indian Business Network in 2003. With the objective to increase levels of service and products, help gain access to casino business, and ultimately increase the success of Indian-owned businesses, the network has grown steadily each year since its inception.

In 2007, NIGA’s Economic Development Committee hosted a series of forums on economic diversification and opportunities for new partnerships across reservation boundaries. In addition, we asked the American Indian Business co-chairs to work with our leadership to bring together all of the Indian economic development organizations to seek new collaborations, joint ventures and intertribal coalitions that will help create new jobs and bring the energy of Indian Gaming into the circle of Indian economic development.

Indian Country also celebrated some very significant milestones this year. Twenty years ago, two California tribes fought for their sovereign right to create economic opportunity on their reservations. In 1987, the United States Supreme Court ruled, in California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Morongo Band, that Indian tribes have “sovereignty over their members and their territory” and that states have no right to interfere with tribal self-government.

On the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s monumental Cabazon decision, we are reminded how this decision impacted the future of tribal self-governance. In fact, it represents a significant milestone for tribes across the country and is critical to our achievements today. The decision offered tribal governments hope and the opportunity to develop their economies after two centuries of government policies seeking to terminate tribal governments. This decision lit the fuse for a brand-new wave of economic development for Indian nations. As we acknowledge and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cabazon decision, we are reminded of, and are grateful for, the doors of opportunity the decision opened.

In August, the Seminole Tribe of Florida celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the tribe’s corporate charter and constitution. The establishment of its constitution laid the foundation for the tribe’s form of government and stopped the United States government from abolishing the tribe, a policy known during the 1950s as “termination.”

This historical event was a great reminder of the struggles Native people endured in the past and the triumphs that have come about because of great nations’ staunch defense of tribal sovereignty.

Today, the Seminole Tribe is one of the most successful tribal nations in the country. In fact, this year the Seminole Tribe made international headlines when it purchased Hard Rock International for $965 million. The tribe, a veteran in the gaming industry, went global with this single diversification effort and carved a new path other tribes hope to travel.

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in California opened the doors to the U.S. Grant Hotel in the heart of downtown San Diego within the past year. The band had purchased the 11-story, 270-room hotel at 326 Broadway in 2003 for $45 million and spent two years working on renovating the property. It spent $52 million on the 20-month renovation and held a grand re-opening last year.

The hotel’s opening inspired gasps as band members strolled into the grand lobby, resplendent in marble and crystal. “This is the first time I’ve really appreciated the elegance of the original hotel,” Mim Sellgren, a descendant of the nation’s 18th president, said with a sigh. “It sparkles.”

“This is really a tribute to my greatgreat-grandfather, the Kumeyaay Nation and the city of San Diego,” she added. The tribe’s heritage also is preserved at the hotel. Along a wall of the lobby, niches enclosed in glass hold reminders of its history, like a mortar and pestle once used to grind acorns.

Our industry also celebrated the opening and renovation of several casinos and resorts.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in southwestern Michigan opened The Four Winds Casino Resort in August. The casino and resort has already brought 2,400 new jobs to the area, a majority of which are fulltime and include competitive benefit packages. The facility features 130,000 square feet of gaming space holding 3,000 slot machines, 100 table games (including Poker), six restaurants, a 165-room hotel and a 2,200-space parking garage.

Another highlight I’m proud to share is Indian Country’s philanthropic success. Many tribes, both gaming and non-gaming, recognize that the need to help others extends far beyond reservation boundaries. Thankfully, many tribes are fortunate enough to reach out and share their success when they can.

In 2006, tribes provided more than $150 million in charitable donations, a number I’m sure we’ll exceed in 2007. Some of the highlights in tribal giving this year include the opening of the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas’ new Boys and Girls Club. The Kickapoo tribe received a $250,000 donation in May to fund the facility from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) located in Prior Lake, Minn. The proceeds from the Shakopee were used for construction and equipment costs during the final stages of development.

Looking back at 2007, we’ve witnessed amazing success, and I know the momentum will continue in the years ahead. I look forward to future challenges and celebrations with tribal leaders and organizations. Finally, I thank all those who have worked so hard to make 2007 a resounding success!

Ernie Stevens Jr. is Chair of the National Indian Gaming Association and a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. He can be reached at (202) 546-7711.