Sandra Pattea, President
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort – Fort McDowell, AZ
wekopacasinoresort.com / fmyn.org
RESILIENCE: Gaming remains the cornerstone of our economy, but we have also diversified into enterprises that strengthen our long-term stability. These include the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and Conference Center, two championship golf courses, an RV park, and Fort McDowell Adventures, which hosts weddings, trail rides, cultural tours, and other events. Longstanding enterprises, such as our sand and gravel operation and the Fort McDowell Farm, also continue to provide important contributions to the tribal economy.
Equally vital is cultural preservation. Our creation story is permanently displayed on the flooring of the casino atrium, and the resort hotel’s windows are arranged asymmetrically to symbolize the weave patterns of our baskets. The Cultural Department offers Yavapai language classes, produces audio and video recordings of native speakers, and works with a grant-funded linguist to refine the written spelling of Yavapai words. Our cultural director also shares stories of past generations who overcame great challenges, reminding us of the resilience that guides our future.
GAMING: Our primary focus is completing the rebranding transition from Fort McDowell Casino to the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. Our facility opened in 2020 during the pandemic. We are now implementing a comprehensive strategy with a refreshed new image, a strong social media presence, updated graphics, new commercials, and visual storytelling designed to solidify the We-Ko-Pa brand.
While we continue to rely on seasonal visitors, we are expanding efforts to engage the surrounding community by using targeted offers and marketing drawn from our customer database. Entertainment, historically underemphasized, is now a priority. Featuring nationally recognized acts has already generated a sharp increase in both new guests and returning customers who had not visited in years.
