Three tribal leaders share how they are advancing their tribe’s priorities through gaming, embracing innovation across their enterprises, and developing the next generation of leadership to ensure long-term stability and growth.
Deann Kamalani, Chairperson
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino – Coursegold, CA
chukchansigold.com / chukchansi-nsn.gov
PRIORITIES: Today, our highest priority is taking care of our tribal members while continuing to build a strong future for generations to come. That means investing in housing, education, healthcare, language and cultural preservation, and creating opportunities that allow our tribal members and families to thrive. Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is the economic engine that makes those investments possible. Indian gaming was intended to promote self-determination and strengthen tribal communities where they have deep historical roots, not simply wherever economic opportunity may be the greatest. That principle has guided our tribe from the beginning and continues to shape our decisions today.
We are also proud of the role we play throughout Madera County and the Central Valley. Through our giving program, Chukchansi Cares, and Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, we support non-profits, schools, first responders, youth programs, and organizations that improve the quality of life in our region. I think people sometimes see us only as a casino. They do not always see the tribal government behind it, the tribal members we serve, or the investments we make in our surrounding communities. Being a good neighbor has always been important to us, and it always will be.
INNOVATION: The gaming business changes quickly, so standing still really is not an option. Innovation is not about adding technology simply because it is new. It is about listening to our guests, understanding what they are looking for, and continuing to improve the overall experience. Whether it is enhancements to our resort, new entertainment, improvements to our restaurants, or finding better ways to serve our guests, we are always looking for ways to improve.
Before becoming Chairperson, I spent many years working in marketing, player development, and other leadership roles at Chukchansi Gold. Those experiences continue to shape how I think about serving our guests and strengthening our enterprise. I want every guest who visits Chukchansi Gold to leave saying they had a wonderful experience and cannot wait to come back. When we keep improving the guest experience while staying true to who we are as a tribe, that is the kind of innovation that really matters.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: I have always believed our greatest investment is our people. I was fortunate that others believed in me, encouraged me to grow professionally, and gave me opportunities to take on new responsibilities throughout my career. That experience shaped the kind of leader I try to be today. I believe in mentoring others, encouraging new ideas, and creating opportunities for people to grow because that is how strong organizations are built.
Our Tribal Council is committed to responsible governance, transparency, and making decisions that put the long-term interests of our tribal members first. I hope that ten years from now people will say we made thoughtful decisions, honored the work of the generations who came before us, and left the tribe stronger for those who follow. I have had the opportunity to watch Chukchansi Gold grow from the day we opened our doors. Today, I have the privilege of helping guide its future. That is a responsibility I never take for granted because every decision we make today affects the opportunities our tribal members will have tomorrow.
Andy Mejia, Chairperson
Lytton Rancheria of California
San Pablo Lytton Casino – San Pablo, CA
sanpablolytton.com / lyttonrancheria.com
PRIORITIES: One of the things I am most proud of is that our tribe is living proof of what can happen when tribal leaders stay committed to a long-term vision. My mother, former Chairperson Margie Mejia, spent years fighting to rebuild the Lytton Rancheria of California and create opportunities for future generations. She often spoke about creating a permanent homeland for our people, and today tribal members are living on tribal land in a thriving community that once existed only as a vision.
Our gaming enterprise has made that possible. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gave tribes the opportunity to achieve economic self-sufficiency and strengthen tribal governments. For the Lytton Rancheria of California, gaming has never been an end in and of itself. It has been a tool for self-determination. Gaming revenue has allowed us to invest in housing, education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and economic opportunities. It has also helped support healthcare advocacy, water sustainability initiatives, and the development of a 146-home tribal community built without state or federal grant funding. Our goal is simple: leave a stronger tribe for the next generation than the one we inherited.
INNOVATION: Innovation is critical in today’s world, and the gaming industry is no exception. Our industry must continue to evolve as customer expectations change, technology transforms how we do business, and new opportunities emerge. Whether it is enhancing the guest experience, improving operational efficiency, or evaluating developments such as sports betting and online gaming, innovation guides our decisions and keeps us focused on the future.
Innovation is also about recognizing the broader impact of tribal gaming. The San Pablo Lytton Casino has become a major economic driver for the City of San Pablo, helping support essential city services, public safety, jobs, and economic activity throughout the region. We take pride in being a strong community partner while creating opportunities for tribal members and guests. That commitment extends beyond gaming through support for local non-profits, educational initiatives, arts and cultural programs, and other efforts that strengthen the communities we serve.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Leadership begins with understanding that we are temporary stewards of something larger than ourselves. I learned that lesson from my mother, former Chairperson Margie Mejia. She never stopped believing in what the Lytton Rancheria of California could become, even when others doubted it. Her vision and determination helped create opportunities for tribal members that previous generations could only hope for, and I view it as my responsibility to build on the foundation she worked so hard to create.
Leadership also requires looking beyond today. Indian Country faces a wide range of challenges and opportunities, from protecting water resources in the West to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the continued evolution of the gaming industry. Effective leadership means preparing for change while remaining grounded in the values that have guided our people for generations. It also means maintaining strong government-to-government relationships at the local, state, and federal levels and ensuring that tribes remain constructive partners in their communities.
That same long-term perspective applies to tribal gaming. Tribes have always competed, and competition is healthy. What matters is preserving the integrity of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the principles that have guided tribal gaming for nearly four decades. Those principles recognize tribal sovereignty, respect tribal history, and honor tribes’ connection to their ancestral lands.
As leaders, we have an obligation to think beyond immediate opportunities and consider the legacy we leave behind. Whether we are managing natural resources, embracing new technologies, or making decisions affecting future generations, our responsibility is the same: to protect what has been entrusted to us and leave our tribe stronger than we found it.
Anthony Roberts, Chairman
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
Cache Creek Casino Resort – Brooks, CA
cachecreek.com / yochadehe.gov
PRIORITIES: For the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, our priorities are centered on strengthening tribal sovereignty, preserving our culture, protecting our lands, and creating long-term opportunities for our people. We view economic success as a tool to advance those goals rather than an end in itself. The success of Cache Creek Casino Resort provides the economic foundation that allows us to invest in housing, education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and other initiatives that strengthen our tribe and support communities throughout our ancestral homelands.
Giving back has long been part of who we are as a people. Guided by our philosophy that what is gathered should be shared for the benefit of the community, we invest in initiatives that create opportunities for others and strengthen the places we call home. Through efforts such as the Yocha Dehe Community Fund and Doyuti T’uhkama, we support tribal communities, local and national organizations, and projects that deliver lasting benefit throughout the region. These efforts reflect our belief that lasting success is measured not only by what we achieve for ourselves, but by the positive impact we create for others.
INNOVATION: Innovation plays an important role in how we approach both gaming and economic development. At Cache Creek Casino Resort, innovation means continually enhancing the guest experience, investing in operational excellence and adapting to evolving market expectations. At the same time, we recognize the importance of diversification. Through business ventures such as Séka Hills – our tribal-owned agricultural enterprise known for its estate-grown olive oils, wines and other products cultivated on our tribal lands – we are building a more resilient economic future while advancing responsible land stewardship and sustainable resource management. Innovation is not simply about adopting new technology; it is about finding thoughtful ways to grow, adapt, and remain competitive while remaining grounded in our values.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Leadership development is equally important to our long-term success. We are committed to investing in the next generation through education, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities that prepare future leaders across tribal government, business enterprises, and community service. That commitment also extends beyond our tribe. For example, programs such as the Yocha Dehe Youth Fire Academy provide hands-on training and mentorship for young people interested in careers in the fire service, helping cultivate future firefighters, public servants and community leaders from throughout the region. We believe strong communities are built by investing in people, and our responsibility is not only to prepare future leaders, but to leave them strong institutions, strong communities, and opportunities to succeed.