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.”
For many people, the holiday season brings connection, celebration, and routine changes. But for survivors of domestic violence or past trauma, this time of year can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. Increased stress, family expectations, and sensory triggers can intensify anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. Holiday environments can activate the brain’s trauma pathways. Sensory […]
Common E-Waste Items: Why does it matter? Key Facts: Sources: World Health Organization
On Saturday, September 20, during the Annual Meeting of the Tribal Council, former Shawnee Chief Ron Sparkman gave a history and retrospective. In 2019, the Business Council gave Sparkman the title of Ambassador to the Shawnee Tribe. He served as Chief from 2001 to 2019. “We have come a long, long way,” said Ambassador Sparkman. […]
WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE? HOW DO I RECYCLE? Sources: earth911.com
by A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack The original mouth of the Scioto River, in what is now southern Ohio, is far from Oklahoma. So far, perhaps, it has been forgotten. But important events in Shawnee history—in the mid-1700s and thousands of years earlier—took place there. Two painted panels on Portsmouth, Ohio’s floodwall highlight its […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIAMI, OK — The Shawnee Tribe has declared a state of emergency and released emergency funds to assist citizens who may lose access to food assistance following the federal government’s suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified the Tribe on October 22 that SNAP operations will […]
RSVP to the Elders’ Luncheon!
The Shawnee Tribe’s 2025 General Council & Election Weekend included a community dinner and stomp dance, as well as the annual meeting of the Shawnee Tribal Council and Business Council election. Citizens had the opportunity to meet tribal service programs & administrative staff, collect raffle prizes, and hear reports on the past twelve months of happenings of the […]