Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year

Former Colorado Senator to Be Honored as 'Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year'Casino Enterprise Management magazine will recognize Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell as the "Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year." Campbell will be presented with this award Sept. 10 during CasinoFest7, held at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman and previous Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year award winner Ernie Stevens Jr. will preside over the ceremony.

A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and Council of 44 Chiefs, as well as a former Congressman from Colorado, Campbell has long been a tireless supporter of Native American sovereignty. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-1993 and the U.S. Senate from 1993-2005, and in 1997 became the first American Indian to chair the Indian Affairs Committee. His political career is marked with successes in protecting native lands and resources, and improving health, education and economies in Indian Country.Last year's winner:

Stevens Receives Indian Gaming AwardCasino Enterprise Management, the gaming industry's premier trade journal, proudly announced that Ernie Stevens Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association is its Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year. During the ceremony, Stevens was honored with the first annual Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year Award presented by Casino Enterprise Management. Stevens was selected as Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year for his contributions to the advancement of Tribes and the Indian Gaming industry and Stevens' leadership and commitment during recent battles over Tribal sovereignty.Comment:  Stevens was the obvious choice for the first annual award. I don't know if Campbell was the second strongest advocate for Indian gaming, especially when he was in the Senate.

For more on the subject, see The Facts About Indian Gaming.