Casino Enterprise Management

In late April, one of my greatest mentors, S. Timothy Wapato, passed on to the spirit world and left many of us with fond memories of the great legacy he leaves behind. Wapato was a family man, a humble man and one who cared for Native America.

As the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) embarks on its 2009 gaming agenda on behalf of Indian country, it is empowering to see the continued excitement in Washington, D.C. The new congressional leadership has taken office and the presidency of Barack Obama is in full swing. And while we continue to foster a solid relationship with the new administration, we are working toward true government-to-government consultation between tribal governments and federal agencies.

Stimulus. Spendulus. Depending on your political persuasion the name may change, but whatever the moniker, there is a new $800 billion gorilla in the United States following the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. The act has plenty of new incentives designed specifically for Indian country.

Join Stevens and a wealth of other tribal gaming leaders and executives at NIGA’s annual tradeshow and convention held in Phoenix this April, as they honor this year’s Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award winner Dr. Clinton Pattea and celebrate the success of more than 20 years of Indian gaming.

It was only three months ago that Indian country joined the rest of the world to watch one of the most historical events of our time unfold, the election of Sen. Barak Obama (D-Ill.) as our 44th president of the United States. Now that President Obama is sworn in, Indian country stands ready to fulfill Obama’s commitment to “change.”

Last year the National Indian Gaming Association worked tirelessly on Capitol Hill to protect tribal sovereignty from any legislation or regulation that would have negatively impacted Indian country. We expect the upcoming year to be no different. As a national organization representing 184 Indian nations, our biggest priority is to protect and defend Indian sovereignty, and there should never be any doubt about our commitment to this principle.

The holidays are a time for togetherness with family and friends, and it is a time to reflect upon the joys of this year. Whatever your faith may be, the holiday season fills us with a sense of spiritual recognition and revival. It signifies the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new year. We should use this opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in our lives.

Read about Native American gaming news from November 2008. News included the possibility of minimum security regulations in California, an update on a proposed casino in Maine's Oxford County, discussions between the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and the municipality of Needles in Nevada, and issues between South Dakota's Indian casinos and the govenor's office.

This November, people from all walks of life, native and non-native alike, will recognize November as Native American Heritage Month. Schools will plan special curricula for children and traditional gatherings will be held on Indian reservations throughout the country. Local and national museums, like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Indians, will schedule a variety of special events, exhibits and films.

Last year, Indian Country recognized the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. A significant turning point in Native American history, the decision was a successful end of the fight to create economic opportunity on the reservations of two California tribes, the Cabazon and Morongo Bands of Mission Indians.