Last month, staff from the Shawnee Tribe Gaming Commission (STGC) traveled from Guymon, OK to Alpine, CA for one of the first in-person Indian gaming conferences since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), the National Training Conference at Viejas Casino included sessions on compliance, report writing, background investigations, responding to cybersecurity incidents and more. STGC Deputy Director Lisa Gipson; LASO, Compliance Officer & Licensing Agent Marla Gonzales; and Licensing Agent Elvia Hernandez all attended.
“Gaming is a highly regulated industry, and it’s imperative that our commission staff has every tool they need to continue ensuring Golden Mesa Casino remains compliant and that the Tribe’s assets are protected,” said Chief Ben Barnes.
STGC staff met with the Viejas Resort’s Gaming Commission staff to tour their facilities, in addition to participating in the conference’s networking opportunities with other regulators, NIGC staff and training personnel from across the country.
“Training has a direct impact on our organization’s productivity and performance,” said Elvia Hernandez. “It gives us a better understanding of our responsibilities and provides us the knowledge and skills we need to do our jobs.”
The Shawnee Tribe is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Marina Staubus, whose artwork Whispers in the Wind earned First Place in the Painting category at the 2026 55th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Marina, a Shawnee Tribe citizen, continues a family tradition of service and dedication to the Tribe as the daughter of Mike Staubus, […]
A traditional bow-making workshop recently brought together Shawnee youth and cultural instructors to share knowledge, skills, and values that have been passed down through generations. The opportunity began when a request was made to teach Shawnee relatives the traditional craft of bow making. Having previously shared these skills with Muscogee participants, the instructors were honored […]
By David Pollack, A. Gwynn Henderson, and Edward R. Henry A people’s relationship to their homeland is dynamic. How they alter the landscape reflects their sense of place, their social relationships, and their connections to their ancestors. This is as true now as it was in the past. The North Elkhorn Creek Earthworks Around 500 […]
The Hidden Cost of Four Everyday Products When we buy a product, we usually see only the price on the shelf. What we don’t see is the environmental cost of making it. For example, it takes about 2,700 liters (713 gallons) of water to produce a single cotton T-shirt—about the same amount one person drinks […]
Mark McDowell, Treasurer and Keni Hood, Business Council Seat 7 have filed seeking re-election to their respective offices. The filing period for candidates has passed, with no additional candidates declaring their intention to run for office. Therefore, in accordance with Title 6, Sec. 6.20.080 of the Shawnee Election Act, both unopposed candidates are hereby deemed […]
YOUR CAN COULD BE BACK ON THE SHELF IN JUST 60 DAYS! You enjoy your beverage and recycle your aluminum can. Recycling trucks collect the cans and take them to a facility to be sorted. The cans are cleaned and shredded into small pieces. The aluminum pieces are melted down and rolled into large sheets. […]
The Shawnee Tribe’s Environmental Department recently hosted a hands-on learning experience focused on water systems, runoff, and watershed education in the Miami community. During the event, students participated in the installation of a rain barrel system while learning how rainfall moves through local watersheds and contributes to flooding.
WEEMEYAKWE (WHERE WE COME FROM) By A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack “Two heads are better than one,” the old saying goes. With twice the brainpower and two times the life experiences to draw from, we are twice as likely to solve a puzzle, make sense of an enigma, or figure out a mystery. The […]