Page 23 - Southern California Gaming Guide • May 2017

Tribal Leaders Charity Slot Tournament Raises $13,000 for
SNpirit of Sovereignty
ative American students and youth were the real winners on April 13th, as participants in the Tribal Leaders Charity Slot Tournament in San Diego raised $13,000 for the Spirit of Sovereignty. National Indian
Gaming Association (NIGA). Chairman Ernest Stevens, Jr. hosted the event during the 2017 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in partnership with NIGA associate member Everi.
e top three nishers in the Tournament were able to donate $8,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively to their choice of tribal college or reservation-based program serving Native youth. e slot tournament was conducted on Everi’s award-winning TournEvent® system, known industry-wide for its national TournEvent of Champions®.
“It was a terri c event,” said Spirit of Sovereignty Coordinator David Garelick. “ e 13 players were so enthusiastic and the crowd that gathered to watch was impressive. We can’t thank everyone enough for participating.”
Spirit of Sovereignty is a NIGA-advised fund at the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. e program provides scholarships to students at 37 tribal colleges
and universities. Funds may be used
for any education-related expenses,
including but not limited to tuition,
housing, childcare and travel. Spirit
of Sovereignty also supports the
Native Children’s Holiday Program,
an annual campaign that provides
toys, clothing and food for American
Indian children. ese programs
are funded by donations from NIGA member tribes and associate members, and by individual contributors.
“Chairman Stevens and his sta were instrumental in the success of the event, along with the great people at Everi and Urban Expositions,” Garelick
MAY 2017
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
PAGE 23
Participants in the Tribal Leaders Charity Slot Tournament at NIGA in San Diego raised $13,000 for the Spirit of Sovereignty.
said. “ e funds raised will help many more young people in Indian Country achieve their dreams.”
For more information about the Spirit of Sovereignty go online to Spiritofsov.org.
...Tribes in the News continues on page 25
Tribes in the News