"National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairwoman Tracie Stevens proudly reported at the 2011 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) that the commission was “new and improved.” This claim came just a year after she and her colleagues—Vice Chairwoman Stephanie Cochran and Associate Commissioner Dan Little—had taken over at NIGC. Indian Country Today Media Network recently got a preview of the update Stevens will present at G2E this year.

When you were appointed in June 2010, you took over an agency that had inflamed the tribal gaming community with proposals that would have virtually eliminated Class II gaming. A year later tribal leaders and gaming experts at the G2E gave you a rousing hand of applause—twice! How did that make you feel?

The commission is honored to receive such positive responses from tribal leaders. We interpret it as an indicator that our ongoing efforts to respect the government-to-government relationship with tribes have been effective.

When we came into office…we knew that [improving] relations between tribes and the NIGC had to be the first priority. Collaboration and coordination between tribal, federal and state agencies is essential in order to protect the industry. We do not and cannot operate in a vacuum. The positive responses that we receive confirm that our collaborative efforts are working.

All three [of us] came into our positions with the philosophy that each of us was taught growing up, which was reinforced while work."

Get the Story:
NIGC Chair Tracie Stevens Mended Agency’s Relationship With Tribes (Indian Country Today 10/5)