Brandin Paya, Chairman
Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
Rolling Hills Casino and Resort – Corning, CA
rollinghillscasino.com / paskenta-nsn.gov
RESILIENCE: As Chairman of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, I see resilience as our tribe’s ability to stand strong economically while staying rooted in our identity and traditions. We are taking bold strategic steps to ensure that strength lasts generations. Economically, we are expanding and diversifying. We have Tepa, which is our SBA (8)a company, and it assists us with entering into the federal contracting space in the U.S. Also, we are renovating and modernizing our tribal health clinics, which will enhance access and healthcare for members in our community. Additionally, we have launched a tribal microgrid project that will help us achieve energy independence and improve environmental resilience for our people and our enterprises. We are also expanding our tribal gas stations with more pumps to meet increased demand and further support our local economic activity.
Culturally, we are investing in programs connecting our people to our heritage and are building a new tribal arbor dance area. This is a sacred space for gathering and ceremonies to share our traditions. We also host a weekly language class and bring our Nomlaki dances to the local schools to educate and inspire our community and the next generation. We are excited to host our second annual Big Time Event in November – a wonderful opportunity for the tribe to come together and celebrate our culture and heritage, ensuring it’s preserved and shared with everybody in the community. This year, the Golden State Warriors honored us during the Native American Heritage Night, recognizing Phil Jordan, who was the first Native American NBA player, and who was Nomlaki. We also celebrated the 30th anniversary of our tribe’s federal restoration. We’re showing the world that the Nomlaki people are still here. Our vision of resilience blends economic strength, cultural pride and self-determination, all grounded in the belief that what we build today must serve our people tomorrow.
GAMING: At Rolling Hills Casino and Resort, we are focused on elevating every part of the guest experience while using our success to uplift the tribal community. We are enhancing our entertainment offerings and expanding our dining and hospitality experience. We are also investing in facility upgrades and technology to keep our casino modern, competitive and welcoming guests from across this region. At the same time, we acknowledge the economic uncertainties facing both our industry and the broader economy right now. As a result, we are approaching growth cautiously, focusing on sustainability, strategic reinvestment, and maintaining a friendly and high-quality gaming experience that keeps our guests coming back.
Our workforce development is another major focus for us with training programs, career paths, and tribal economic initiatives. These are designed to prepare our people for leadership, hospitality and gaming in the future. Every job created, every show hosted, and every guest served contributes to our broader mission to provide financial support for crucial tribal services, including healthcare, housing, education, and cultural preservation. For us, gaming is so much more than just a business. It’s a way to achieve our sovereignty, share our tribe’s story, and create a sustainable future for the next generation of the Nomlaki people.
