SEATTLE, WA – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Chairman, David Z. Bean, delivered the keynote address at the UNITY 50th Anniversary Kickoff Breakfast at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, where he joined Native youth, advisors, and UNITY alumni in celebrating five decades of leadership and community strength.
Chairman Bean began his remarks by celebrating UNITY’s long history of empowering young people and providing them a space to find their voice. He reflected on his own youth and the influence of attending early leadership gatherings across the Northwest. These experiences, he shared, helped him realize that Native youth possess value, purpose, and real influence in their communities. “When I attended youth conferences as a teenager, we learned that we matter, that we have a voice,” said Bean, remembering the guidance that shaped the start of his leadership journey.
He spoke about overcoming challenges and finding strength through teachings passed down from parents, grandparents, and ancestors. He reminded the audience that each generation carries the prayers and sacrifices of those who came before. “We are who our ancestors prayed for. We are who our ancestors sacrificed for,” he said, explaining how those teachings guide him as a father, grandfather, and leader in Indian Country.
A central focus of the UNITY breakfast was the lasting dedication that the late Ernie Stevens Jr. showed toward Native youth throughout his life. As a longtime Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, he worked tirelessly to ensure young people were seen, supported, and given every opportunity to lead.
Chairman Bean emphasized that Stevens consistently stood with UNITY and similar programs because he believed deeply in the strength and promise of Native youth. As Bean reminded the room, “Unity was built for each and every one of you,” a message that echoed Stevens’ lifelong commitment to lifting the next generation. Bean also shared, “Through his actions, encouragement, and unwavering presence at youth events, Ernie Stevens Jr. set a powerful standard for honoring and preparing young leaders who will guide their communities forward.”
UNITY leaders, tribal advisors, and IGA representatives continue to carry that message forward as a tribute to Stevens’ legacy and lifelong work to create more opportunities for Native youth.
Chairman Bean encouraged UNITY participants to understand that leadership starts well before holding a title or formal position. He reminded them that their actions for their families, schools, and communities are already shaping the future of their nations. “Each and every one of you is important. UNITY was built for you,” he said, urging them to carry on the teachings and responsibilities that come with being part of Indian Country’s next generation of leaders.
He closed by affirming that the next 50 years of UNITY will be defined by the young people who were in the room, and by those who will follow. The future of tribal nations, he said, is held in the hands of young people who know who they are and where they come from.
Tribal government gaming revenues are a vital source of support for Native American youth in many nations. These funds help finance scholarships, youth leadership travel, cultural and language programs, and other opportunities that enhance identity, community bonds, and personal growth.
These investments enable young people to take part in national events like UNITY, pursue higher education, and develop valuable skills that prepare them to give back to their communities. Tribal gaming also funds programs for elders, veterans, and essential community services, creating a stable foundation that helps youth grow into strong, confident leaders for the future.
