Tribal Leader Roundtable

As a tribe, we feel an obligation to support those that depend upon us – that starts with our tribal members of course, but it also means neighboring state and municipal governments we partner with, and private entities we do business with. We know that public health and economic security are intrinsically connected.

Even with the economic downturn during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, revenues from our Golden Mesa Casino in the panhandle region have enabled us to revive and expand our higher education awards.

Candace Schmidt, ChairwomanPonca Tribe of NebraskaPrairie Flower Casino – Carter Lake, IAprairieflowercasino.com / poncatribe-ne.gov BENEFITS OF GAMING: I think what sets our gaming enterprise apart from...

We had additional closures when rioters and looters came through our area. We had to make immediate decisions to close our whole Quil Ceda Village area down and had police barricades everywhere. The word went out and tribal members helped guard the area along with the police...

We’ve incurred financial losses in the millions of dollars; we’ve had to furlough and lay off hundreds of tribal government and business employees; we’ve had team members and customers who have lost loved ones; and we’ve been forced to conduct operations in a whole new way throughout our organization, etc.

I am immensely proud to share that the Karuk Tribe is continuing to make major strides towards our long-term economic and cultural resilience. Recently, we celebrated a major victory with the passing of California’s new cultural burn law (SB 310).

Kenneth Kahn, ChairmanSanta Ynez Band of Chumash IndiansChumash Casino Resort – Santa Ynez, CAchumashcasino.comchumash.gov CHALLENGES/REWARDS: In today’s climate, we all face the challenge of being...

Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort are dedicated to creating employment opportunities for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and its enrolled community members. As such, the Pathways to Success Program is available to all enrolled community members from their first day of employment.

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians believes in the sovereignty of all tribes to be able to provide for their people. But, we believe strongly that this right should not allow for one tribe’s economic enterprises to be at the expense of sister tribes...

Doug Welmas, ChairmanCabazon Band of Cahuilla IndiansFantasy Springs Resort Casino – Indio, CAfantasyspringsresort.com / fantasyspringsresort.com/cbmi BENEFITS OF GAMING: Gaming revenues have benefited our tribe and community...