As tribal leaders gathered across the country for some of the most significant Native policy, gaming, and sovereignty discussions of the year, the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) ensured a strong and coordinated presence at every major forum to advance one of Indian Country’s most pressing priorities: protecting Tribal sovereignty and preserving the integrity of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).

Over the same week, IGA leadership participated in multiple national and regional events, including the 2026 Sovereignty Symposium XXXVIII in Oklahoma City, the Northwest Indian Gaming Conference & Expo in Shelton, Washington, and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Together, these events brought hundreds of tribal leaders, policymakers, regulators, and advocates together to address challenges facing Tribal Nations.

Representing the Indian Gaming Association at the Sovereignty Symposium, Executive Director Jason Giles joined legal scholars, tribal leaders, and policymakers for discussions on tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and emerging federal issues affecting Indian Country. Meanwhile, IGA Chairman David Bean participated in the Northwest Indian Gaming Conference & Expo, and IGA Vice Chairman Tehassi Hill and Secretary Christie Modlin represented the Association at NCAI meetings and Tribal Gaming Committee discussions. The full IGA leadership team concluded the week by joining forces at NCAI to reinforce a unified national strategy on sovereignty and gaming issues.

A central focus of these discussions was the growing concern surrounding federally regulated prediction markets and provisions within the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act that could undermine Tribal gaming rights and sovereignty. Tribal leaders across the country continue to raise alarms that sports-event contracts and prediction markets operating outside the framework established by IGRA could create a parallel wagering system that bypasses Tribal authority, Tribal-State compacts, and long-standing regulatory structures developed by Tribal governments.

“Indian Country is united on this issue. Whether we were in Oklahoma, Washington, or Tennessee, the message was the same: Tribal sovereignty is not negotiable. Tribal gaming was established to strengthen Tribal governments, support self-determination, and provide essential services to our citizens. Any effort to circumvent Tribal regulatory authority threatens the very foundation of what Tribal Nations have built over the last four decades,” said David Bean, Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.

“While Indian Country is united, we must continue to impress upon all Tribes, gaming and non-gaming alike, that we cannot rest. Every Tribal Nation has a stake in this fight. Protecting Tribal sovereignty is not only a gaming issue; it is also a Tribal government and a Tribal rights issue. We all have a responsibility to be part of this effort to ensure that the rights our ancestors fought to preserve remain protected for future generations. Sovereignty is only as strong as our willingness to defend it together,” Bean continued.

The Indian Gaming Association has maintained that sports-event contracts offered through federally regulated exchanges are functionally indistinguishable from sports wagering and should not be permitted to operate outside the Tribal gaming regulatory framework established by Congress through IGRA. Tribal leaders have warned that unchecked expansion of these markets could divert critical revenues away from Tribal governments and the essential services those revenues support, including healthcare, public safety, housing, education, infrastructure, elder services, and cultural preservation programs.

“Gaming revenue is not simply business income for Tribal Nations. It funds governmental services, creates economic opportunity, and strengthens communities. When federal policy creates pathways that bypass Tribal gaming laws and Tribal-State compacts, it directly impacts Tribal citizens and weakens the government-to-government relationship that has long been recognized by Congress,” Chairman Bean continued.

IGA leadership also highlighted growing support among Tribal organizations nationwide for amendments to the CLARITY Act that would expressly prohibit sports-event contracts functioning as sports wagering and include protections ensuring the legislation does not preempt Tribal gaming laws or Tribal sovereignty. Tribal organizations have warned that, without these protections, the legislation could represent one of the most significant threats to Tribal governmental authority and gaming exclusivity in a generation.

“The Indian Gaming Association will continue working with Tribal governments, Congress, federal agencies, and our partners across Indian Country to ensure that Tribal voices are heard and respected. Innovation should never come at the expense of Tribal sovereignty. We will continue advocating for meaningful Tribal consultation, protection of IGRA, and preservation of the rights that Tribal Nations have fought generations to secure,” said Bean.

As discussions continue in Washington, D.C., the Indian Gaming Association remains committed to advancing a unified national strategy that protects Tribal sovereignty, preserves the integrity of Tribal gaming, and safeguards the economic future of Tribal Nations across the US.

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) joined tribal leaders, entrepreneurs, and partners from across Indian Country at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s (NCAIED) RES 2026 Conference in Las Vegas to honor the life and legacy of Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., a longtime NCAIED Board Member and unwavering advocate for tribal economic development.

Chairman Stevens’s presence was deeply felt throughout the conference, where his decades of leadership helped shape the foundation for Native enterprise development and strengthened the connection between tribal government gaming and economic opportunity across Indian Country.

“Chairman Stevens believed that when tribal economies grow, our people thrive. He carried a vision that connected business development, sovereignty, and community. That vision is alive today at RES, where leaders and entrepreneurs are building stronger futures for our nation,” said IGA Chairman David Z. Bean.

Stevens served more than 25 years on the NCAIED Board, continuing a legacy rooted in family and service to Indian Country. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to doing what is right, uplifting communities, and ensuring that tribal economies remain strong for future generations.

During RES 2026, NCAIED Board Member Margo Gray offered a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on both the personal and professional impact Chairman Stevens had on those around him.

“As I looked around the room, I could still see Ernie. He would be moving the placards around, making sure everyone was where they needed to be. That was who he was. We were not just colleagues; we were like brother and sister,” said Gray.

Gray spoke to the sense of loss felt across the community, while also emphasizing the responsibility to carry forward his work.

“There was a shift. It felt different, it felt like something was missing. But in that moment, we knew we had to carry on. That is what he would expect of us,” Gray shared.

She also reflected on Stevens’ deep pride in his family and his roots in Indian Country, which shaped his leadership and lifelong commitment to service.

“He was proud of his family, proud of where he came from, and proud to serve our people. He believed in doing what is right and what is just, and he carried that with him every day,” Gray said.

Gray closed by reinforcing the importance of continuing Stevens’ legacy through action and unity.

“As we move forward, we do this work grounded in community, supporting our lands and our people. That is how we honor him,” she said.

Throughout RES 2026, participants are continuing Chairman Stevens’ vision by advancing Native-owned businesses, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that tribal economic development remains a cornerstone of sovereignty and self-determination.

“Ernie’s legacy is not behind us; it is in front of us. We will continue to protect tribal sovereignty and strengthen tribal government gaming as a driver of opportunity, just as he dedicated his life to doing,” Chairman Bean added.

The Indian Gaming Association stands alongside NCAIED and tribal leaders nationwide in honoring Chairman Stevens’ life, leadership, and lasting contributions to Indian Country.

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) will honor Eddie Leon Tullis, former Tribal Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, as the recipient of the 2026 Rick Hill–Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior Award during the Sovereign Warrior Celebration Luncheon, which honors the legacy of tribal leaders advocating for sovereignty. This event will take place at the Chairman’s Leadership Luncheon on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention at the San Diego Convention Center in California.

This signature luncheon gathers tribal leaders, industry partners, and honored guests for an impactful program that combines recognition, remembrance, and celebration of leadership throughout Indian Country.

“Eddie Tullis represents the very spirit of a Sovereign Warrior. His leadership secured federal recognition for his Tribe, his vision created opportunity for future generations, and his lifelong commitment to sovereignty has strengthened Indian Country as a whole. We are proud to honor him in front of tribal leaders from across the nation,” said Chairman Bean.

Chairman Bean added: “This luncheon is not only about recognition, but it is also about reflection. As we honor leaders like Eddie Tullis, we also remember those we have lost and recommit ourselves to the responsibility of protecting tribal sovereignty for generations to come.”

Eddie Leon Tullis is one of the most influential leaders in the history of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Indian Country. Born in 1938 in Mobile, Alabama, he served in the United States Navy before building a 35-year career at Monsanto.

Following the passing of Chief Calvin McGhee, Tullis stepped into leadership in the early 1970s and went on to serve as Tribal Chairman and CEO for 27 years, as well as more than four decades on the Tribal Council. He led the successful effort to secure federal recognition for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in 1984, making it the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama.

Under his leadership, the Tribe established its modern government and launched its first gaming enterprises, creating a strong economic foundation that continues to support its people today. Tullis also served in national leadership roles, including as Chairman of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, and has been widely recognized for his lifelong commitment to youth and community development.

The Chairman’s Leadership Luncheon and Sovereign Warrior Celebration remains one of the most meaningful gatherings of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, honoring the leaders who have paved the way for tribal sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and the continued success of Indian gaming.