NIGC Reports Successful Government-to-Government Consultations—However One Defines “Success”

During last week's Great Plains/Midwest Indian Gaming Conference and Trade Show at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's Mystic Lake Casino Hotel near Minneapolis-St. Paul, the National Indian Gaming Commission conducted government-to-government consultations with tribal leaders from the region. According to NIGC Chair Phil Hogen, the consultations allowed "ample time" for tribal delegations to discuss "anything on their minds."

The NIGC has drawn criticism for its tribal consultation practices, with some tribal leaders complaining that the consultation is pro forma -- that is, that the Commission conducts consultation sessions, but tribal input has little if any effect on the NIGC's actions. Recently, criticism directed at the NIGC was the subject of an April 17th U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing at which we testified.

Can the NIGC ever overcome criticism of its actions? Like any regulated industry, Indian gaming has numerous stakeholders, and we all know the old saying about pleasing everybody, all the time….

Read more about the Conference and Trade Show here.

Read our testimony at the April 17th Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing here.