The Indian Gaming Association opened its Annual Membership Meeting Monday morning at the San Diego Convention Center, bringing together tribal leaders from across Indian Country to honor the legacy of former Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. while setting a forward-looking agenda for the future of tribal gaming.
The gathering began with a powerful ceremonial opening, including the Posting of Colors by the Native American Women Warriors Color Guard, followed by a Smoke Dance performed by Stevens’ grandchildren. An invocation honored his family and lifted up the broader Indian gaming community.
Tribal leaders joined members of Stevens’ family in a heartfelt tribute recognizing his decades of leadership, service, and steadfast commitment to tribal sovereignty.
Brandon Yellowbird Stevens, his son, reflected on his father’s legacy and purpose. “My dad gave his heart and soul,” he said. “It wasn’t about gaming. It was about sovereignty. It was about providing. He worked harder than anyone I’ve ever seen, and his message was clear. Keep moving forward.”
IGA Executive Director Jason Giles remembered Stevens for his generosity and lasting impact. “Ernie was the kind of person who gave everything he had to others,” Giles said. “His vision lives on not just in this organization, but in the relationships he built and the foundation he created for all of us to carry forward.”
Walter Lamar, a longtime friend and tribal leader, offered a personal remembrance of Stevens as both a cultural and spiritual guide. “He wasn’t just a teacher, he was a reminder,” Lamar said. “He reminded us who we are, where we come from, and who we carry with us. That ‘Ernie vibe’ we all felt didn’t leave. He passed it on to all of us, and now it is our responsibility to carry it forward.”
Current IGA Chairman David Z. Bean echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that Stevens’ leadership continues to shape the organization’s direction. “There will never be another Ernie Stevens, Jr.,” Bean said. “I cannot fill his shoes. I can only walk in his footsteps, just as he walked in the footsteps of our elders and ancestors.”
Following the tribute, Bean delivered the State of the Industry Address, highlighting both the strength of tribal government gaming and the challenges ahead.
“In the face of uncertainty in Washington, D.C. and economic headwinds, the state of Indian gaming remains strong and resilient,” Bean said. “Indian gaming continues to grow because it is rooted in our sovereignty and our responsibility to our people.”
Bean reported that Indian gaming revenues reached approximately $46 billion in 2025, continuing steady growth across the sector. When including hospitality, entertainment, and related economic activity, tribal gaming now represents a $52 billion economic engine supporting tribal nations and surrounding communities.
The industry also continues to provide widespread employment, supporting more than 680,000 jobs nationwide for tribal citizens and local economies.
“Indian gaming has always been about more than revenue,” Bean said. “It is about jobs, it is about opportunity, and it is about taking care of our people, our elders, and our future generations.”
Bean emphasized that the Association’s work remains rooted in the legacy of Stevens and guided by tribal leadership. “We honor him by continuing the work, always at the direction of our tribal leadership,” he said. “Our mission remains clear: protect tribal sovereignty, protect Indian gaming, and promote economic self-determination for our people.”
He also pointed to IGA’s advocacy efforts in recent months, including coordinated action to address illegal prediction markets and concerns over federal overreach.
“Our ancestors faced every challenge with strength and resilience,” Bean said. “Today is no different. We will meet these challenges together, as one voice, just as they did before us.”
The meeting continued with the official call for nominations for key leadership positions, including vice chairman and treasurer, marking an important step in shaping the organization’s future.
Additional sessions throughout the week will focus on policy discussions, including ongoing concerns around prediction markets and federal regulatory issues, before concluding with elections and final proceedings.
While the loss of Stevens remains deeply felt, speakers throughout the morning emphasized that his legacy continues to unify Indian Country.
“We still have work to do,” Bean said. “And together, we will get up and get out there, just as Chairman Stevens always reminded us.”
The 2026 IGA Membership Meeting stands as both a tribute to a transformative leader and a reaffirmation of the strength, unity, and future of tribal government gaming.