Reznet

Indian Gaming Association Receives Challenge Grant to Build Tribal Leaders' Center

By Tessa Lehto

PRIOR LAKE, Minn.—The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announced a challenge grant of $500,000 to the National Indian Gaming Association headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) is a non-profit trade association comprised of 184 American Indian nations and other non-voting associate members. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people — economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.

Since 1997, NIGA has had its headquarters on Capitol Hill across the street from the Madison Building of the Library of Congress. Located in the historic Waterston house, built in 1806 as the first residence of the Library of Congress, NIGA is only two blocks from the United States Capitol Building. With the growth of Indian gaming, NIGA is running out of space and plans to build a new tribal leaders' center in the large plot behind this historic building.

"This new center will accommodate meeting space for 150 tribal leaders, a board room to accommodate 40 people, and several new offices. This project is expected to cost between $2.5 million and $3 million and will ensure that NIGA's headquarters are available as a meeting resource for tribal leaders for decades to come," said NIGA Executive Director Mark Van Norman.

"We encourage other tribes and organizations to support this important and necessary project," said Stanley R. Crooks, chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

For more information about the National Indian Gaming Association, go to indiangaming.org.

Tessa Lehto is the communications specialist for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized tribe in Prior Lake, Minn.