CNIGA Holds Summit

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) will hold a historic all-day economic summit on June 28 in Santa Barbara entitled "Challenges to Opportunities and Success." The summit will feature representatives from several California tribal governments and is a follow-up to a promise that CNIGA chairman Anthony Miranda made in his State of the Tribal Nations address to take steps to bring real and sustainable economic development to Indian country.

"We want to bring to bear the collective talents and wisdom of all tribal governments in California on the issue of creating sustainable economies," said Miranda.

Many tribes are looking to diversify their economies by using gaming funds to kick-start other business ventures. The summit will provide a forum for tribes to discuss with each other which plans have proven most successful and what potential barriers to success may exist.

Since the challenges of tribal economic development extend beyond California, the goal of the summit is to gather a set of recommendations from the attendees to give to such national organizations as the National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Gaming Association.

The summit will be preceded by CNIGA's signature golf tournament at the Sandpiper Golf Course on Tuesday. Santa Barbara area tribe, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, will be the title sponsor of the tournament.

Attendance to the summit is free but space is limited.

What: "Challenges to Opportunities and Success" economic development summit at CNIGA's Mid Year Conference

Who: Tribal governments, tribal gaming operators and industry professionals

When: Wednesday June 28, 2006, registration begins at 9 a.m. Program will begin at 9:45.

Where: The Biltmore - Four Seasons Res

2006-06-16