"If Bernadine Burnette could describe herself with one phrase, it would be, “I shoot straight from the hip!” As the vice president of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Burnette must makes important decisions that affect her community on a host of tribal issues, and she is sure to accomplish these tasks with the perfect amount of sass.

National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. selected Burnette as this year’s recipient of the Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year award. The award, he says, is one of the most significant awards in Indian country, and Burnette was an obvious choice. “Bernie is a straightforward, no-nonsense leader, who wants to get the work done efficiently and effectively,” Stevens said. “She encourages everyone to work hard in everything that we do, and has a way of projecting that in a manner that is respectful and pleasant. Bernie is a fine, hardworking, contemporary leader.”

CEM has hosted the Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year awards for several years, and looks to Stevens for a selected individual each year. Past winners are Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Lynn “Nay” Valbuena and W. Ron Allen. “The award really highlights one of hundreds of tribal leaders who go the extra mile to stand up and support tribal sovereignty and help us to educate America about tribal government gaming,” Stevens said. “Not enough people really understand the term tribal government gaming, so the people that are out front are really spokespeople for our industry.”"

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Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year: Bernadine Burnette (Casino Enterprise Management October 2012)