Overview:
The Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) honored the late Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. and Cheryl Stevens with its Legacy of Leadership Award during the 2026 WEWIN Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The recognition celebrated the couple's decades-long commitment to Tribal sovereignty, Native women, and Indigenous leadership.
The Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) recognized the enduring legacy of the late Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. and Cheryl Stevens with its prestigious Legacy of Leadership Award during the organization’s annual conference held at River Spirit Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The honor was presented during the Warrior Women Circle Recognition Luncheon, where leaders from across Indian Country gathered to celebrate Native women and Indigenous leadership. Representing the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), Chairman David Z. Bean and Secretary Christie Modlin accepted the award. Modlin accepted the recognition on behalf of Cheryl Stevens, who was unable to attend because of a family bereavement.
Bean conveyed Cheryl Stevens’ appreciation to those in attendance and asked participants to keep the Stevens family in their prayers.
The award recognizes the decades of leadership and service that Ernie Stevens Jr. dedicated to advancing Tribal sovereignty, strengthening Tribal Nations, and championing Native women. Throughout his more than two decades leading the Indian Gaming Association, Stevens maintained a close partnership with WEWIN, supporting its mission of empowering Native women as future leaders.
“Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. believed that organizations like WEWIN do more than recognize leaders. They help build tomorrow’s leaders today,” said IGA Chairman David Z. Bean. “No matter how busy he was, he always made time for WEWIN because he understood that investing in Native women was investing in the future of Indian Country.
“To all of you Warrior Women, you are the backbone of your families. You are the backbone of your communities. You are the backbone of your respective Nations. You are the promise of tomorrow.
“That commitment remains as strong today as ever. Under my leadership, the Indian Gaming Association will continue to proudly support WEWIN and Native women across Indian Country because when Native women succeed, our Tribal Nations succeed.”
Bean also reflected on Cheryl Stevens’ role alongside her husband throughout his decades of service to Indian Country.
“Today’s recognition celebrates not only Chairman Stevens’ extraordinary legacy, but also Cheryl’s unwavering strength, grace, and commitment,” Bean said. “She stood beside Ernie throughout decades of service to Indian Country, supporting his vision for Tribal sovereignty and stronger Tribal Nations. She has carried that legacy forward with humility, compassion, and dignity, and we are honored to celebrate her today.”
Secretary Christie Modlin accepted the Legacy of Leadership Award on behalf of Cheryl Stevens and the Stevens family, expressing gratitude to WEWIN for recognizing both Ernie and Cheryl Stevens’ contributions.
“On behalf of Cheryl Stevens, the Stevens family, and the Indian Gaming Association, we sincerely thank WEWIN for this incredible honor,” said Modlin. “This award means a great deal to our Association and to Cheryl. It recognizes Chairman Stevens’ lifelong dedication to Tribal sovereignty and Native people, while also recognizing Cheryl’s years of quiet leadership, steadfast support, and lasting impact. Cheryl has inspired generations through her grace and commitment to serving others, and we are deeply grateful that WEWIN has chosen to recognize both her and Chairman Stevens’ enduring legacy.”
Modlin also congratulated this year’s Warrior Women honorees while reaffirming the Association’s continued support for Native women.
“Congratulations to this year’s Warrior Women honorees and to every Native woman whose leadership strengthens our Tribal Nations,” Modlin said. “Thank you, WEWIN, for everything you do to empower Native women. The Indian Gaming Association looks forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
According to WEWIN, the Legacy of Leadership Award honors Cheryl Stevens for preserving and carrying forward Chairman Stevens’ lifelong commitment to Native people, Tribal Nations, Native families, and future generations of Indigenous leaders. The award also recognizes the partnership the couple shared in advancing Tribal sovereignty and strengthening Indian Country.
The ceremony concluded with Chairman Bean leading a traditional honor song, inviting attendees to pray in their own way as they celebrated the Warrior Women honorees and remembered those who could not be present. The closing reflected the shared values that have long connected WEWIN and the Indian Gaming Association: honoring past leaders while inspiring the next generation of Indigenous leadership.
