Despite over twenty years of tribal governments operating successful gaming organizations and other enterprises, contributing to Native and non-Native economies, anti-Indian gaming sentiment still finds some way into private and non-private conversation.

This negative focus often overshadows the untold stories of positive interdependent relationships between tribal entities and the communities wherein they operate.  And few outside of those communities are conscious about these success stories and the contributions of tribal casinos within their constituencies.

A new awards program was created to acknowledge tribal governments and their history of uncommon generosity and support of their communities.  Through this program, the goal is to boost awareness, recognize current programs that highlight the loads of acts of giving tribal communities are participating in around the country, and share the learning. 

On January 27, 17 organizations were honored on the Tribal Spirit of Giving Awards: Recognizing Organizations That Give Back to Their Communities, Employees and Customers during Raving’s eighteenth Indian Gaming National Marketing Conference at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. 

Tribal organizations (governments and gaming operations) were asked to submit programs and events that were implemented in 2015 that specifically gave back to employees, communities and customers.  The judging criterion was not according to revenue measurement, but on overall awareness, impact, longer term benefits, overall value and participation.

Several entries included acknowledging veterans of their communities and in their casinos’ employment, and one entry highlighted a casino’s effort to buy specialty off-road wheelchairs for veterans that don't have the benefit of prosthetics. Another entry described how a tribe and their casino shut down their gaming operations for over two weeks to transform into an emergency operation center during probably the most destructive fires within the history of California. Several submissions shared how their community and employees were instrumental in raising thousands of bucks and creating awareness for well-known organizations corresponding to the Meals on Wheels, American Heart Association and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

One of the primary place entries, submitted by Sam Wedll, marketing manager, Blue Lake Casino & Hotel, in Humboldt County, Calif., was an example of ways one tribe isn't just giving back to their community but to the sector by their aggressive green initiatives. Recognized by the united states.. Department of Energy, they have got dramatically changed how they do business by going from plastics to paper, switching from fossil fuels and traditional energy to biodiesel and renewables, investing in energy efficiency upgrades, recycling and plenty of other initiatives.

“When the tribe got to work on climate issues, it had a main goal of powering the Rancheria with renewable resources,” said Jana Ganion, energy director for the tribe at the casino’s website. “With this project, we're over halfway there… the tribe makes no secret of its technological advancement and openly shares findings with the world, inspiring and aiding the human species of their efforts to enhance society and protect the planet.”

“Submissions like Blue Lake’s are only one example of the extreme efforts of tribal governments within their communities,” shared Dennis Conrad, president and chief strategist of Raving Consulting Company, organizer of the development. “We sincerely hope that the general publicity around this awards program will educate the public at large concerning the many good works which might be happening in Indian Country in addition to inspire other organizations.”

Organizations from around the country participated on this inaugural contest:  7 Clans First Council Casino, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Black Oak Casino Resort, Blue Lake Casino & Hotel, Chicken Ranch Casino, Coeur d’Alene Casino/Resort, Colusa Casino Resort,   Creek Nation Casino—Checotah,  FireKeepers Casino Hotel,   Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel, Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Osage Casino, Prairie Band Casino & Resort, River Spirit Casino Tulsa, Sycuan Casino and Twin Pine Casino & Hotel.

“Participating as a judge for the Spirit of Giving awards confirmed what I already knew—not only has Indian gaming given tribes the chance to do good stuff for its own members, but we're doing good things for the communities we're a component of,” said Pam Shaw, COO, gaming and entertainment, Kaw Nation SouthWind Casinos, who was one in every of three judges for the contest.  “I am so proud to be a part of an industry that really displays the Spirit of Giving.  Not because we've got to, but because it’s the fitting thing to do.” 

At the awards luncheon, throughout the Indian Gaming National Marketing Conference, the next winners were presented with a hand-crafted piece of crafted pottery created by Mary Aragon, Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico:

Community Category

First Place – Blue Lake Casino & Hotel: Climate Action Champions

Second Place – Blue Lake Casino & Hotel: Bikes in Blue Lake

Third Place – Sycuan Casino: Sycuan Casino and Susan G. Komen San Diego 2015

 

Customer Category

First Place – Black Oak Casino Resort: Meals on Wheels

Second Place – Black Oak Casino Resort: Community Grab Cash

Third Place – 7 Clans First Council Casino: Autographed Guitar Auctions

 

Employee Category

First Place – FireKeepers Casino Hotel: Team Member Rally

Second Place – Northern Quest Resort & Casino: Northern Quest Resort & Casino Kalispel Hospitality Program

Third Place – 7 Clans First Council Casino: Veterans Day Appreciation

 

This event is one of the fundraisers that the organizer, Raving Consulting, does all year long for the Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3F), which does critical work in addressing obesity and kind 2 diabetes in Native American youth. All proceeds of the $100 entry fees went on to NB3F. Raving presented a check for $7,500 to Justin Kii Huenemann, executive director, representing the entries to the Spirit of Giving program in addition to a per conference attendee contribution on behalf of the attendees of Raving’s Indian Gaming National Marketing Conference. 

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]