NIGA convention marks back-to-business moment Arts & Entertainment News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - August 6, 2021August 9, 2021 The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) returned to an in-person Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention from July 19-24 – this time at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Organizers said there were about 8,000 attendees and more than 350 vendors. While the event was sized down compared to previous years, it
Indian Affairs adds two top Native American directors News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - August 6, 2021August 6, 2021 The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) named two Native Americans to top positions in the department in June. Bartholomew “Bart” Stevens of the San Carlos Apache Tribe is the deputy bureau director for field operations, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kimberly Bouchard, of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior
HERO forges ahead as it reflects on pandemic successes Community News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 BIG CYPRESS — The Seminole Tribe’s Heritage and Environment Resources Office (HERO) is the umbrella for a variety of tribal initiatives – the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD) and the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO). Each of those departments has a slew of goals and responsibilities. It’s a
Tribal Court priorities include new efforts Community News by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — Seminole Tribal Court was affected by the pandemic like other branches of government. The system kept operating, but some meetings and hearings shifted online and others were postponed. One of the biggest blows to the court and the tribe during the pandemic was when Chief Justice Willie Johns
‘Live’ is back at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Live Arts & Entertainment Events News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — It wasn’t even five months after the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and its massive Guitar Hotel debuted Oct. 24, 2019, that the Covid-19 pandemic would bring activity to a halt. The hospitality and entertainment industry was stopped dead in its tracks. Adding to the
Tribe’s energy goals advance with Brighton funding Community News by Damon Scott - August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 Hurricane Irma had a big impact on the tribe’s communities across South Florida in 2017. Government operations were affected and electrical outages particularly plagued residents in Big Cypress and Brighton. The hurricane’s aftermath came with a monetary cost, too, as the tribe spent significant funds on propane and diesel to
Tribe hopes more will get vaccine in new phase Community Health News by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribe began to transition to phase three of reopening June 7 and it comes with a message to those who have not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine – get one. Part of phase three entails tribal employees returning to work in tribal buildings July 6. Officials consider
Work experience programs start anew Community Education News Top News Top Story by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 HOLLYWOOD — After a pause of more than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Seminole Tribe’s work experience programs have started to come to life again. Kerlande Patterson, the supervisor of Tribal Professional Development (TPD), said about 40 students recently enrolled in the Student Work Experience Program (SWEP). It’s
Tribal police can detain non-Natives, court affirms News by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 The U.S. Supreme Court issued a broad, unanimous ruling June 1 reaffirming that tribal police officers have the power to temporarily detain and search non-Native Americans on tribal land if they’re suspected of violating state or federal law. Indian Country saw the ruling as an affirmation of tribal sovereignty. The case
King would be third Native American federal judge News by Damon Scott - July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 President Joe Biden nominated Lauren J. King (Muscogee Creek Nation) to a federal judgeship in the spring, which began what is sometimes a slow process to a confirmation vote by the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, King would be only the third active Native American federal judge serving in the