A few minutes after meeting or listening to Ernest Stevens speaking, it was clear that he valued the family, the Indian country, honesty and loyalty. He spoke passionately about all these things, and offered a look at the type of personal and warmth touch that is decreasing in an increasingly fragmented society.
On Friday, Stevens, the president of the Indian Games Association (IGA), died unexpectedly at age 66. A member of the Wisconsin Oneida nation leaves his wife Cheryl, five children, 20 grandchildren and a devastated community.
“Ernie Stevens, Jr. was more than a president; he was a warrior, a statesman and a champion of the entire Indian country,” said Jason Giles, executive director of IGA, in a press release. “His vision and commitment built the bridges of self -defense and economic growth and economic growth. Unmatched, and their ecological voice for coming generations.”
It is not only the Indian country that cries the death of Stevens.
“As president of the Indian Games Association for more than two decades, Ernie was a tireless and passionate defender of the Indian country and a unifying force in the advance of tribal sovereignty through the games,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Games Association, in a statement on Saturday. “His work not only helped raise the tribal government game to a powerful promoter of the economic opportunity, but also shaped the broader trajectory of our industry with its unwavering commitment to collaboration, integrity and inclusion.”
Stevens guided incredible growth
Stevens directed IgA for 24 years, and was re -elected as president for the 13th time at the annual meeting of the association in San Diego in April. At the beginning of September, it was a key presence at the mid -year conference at the Mystic Lake Casino and Resort in Minnesota. At each conference, Stevens could often be seen among tribal leaders, offering wise stretch advice and discussing ways to preserve sovereignty.
Under their surveillance, the income of the tribal game quadrupled, from $ 11 billion in 2000 to $ 43.9 billion in 2024, per IgA.
Stevens sat at the Board of the Development Center of the American Indian company and the Nike7 Foundation and at the Executive Board of the Native American Youth Center, and was a member of the Native American Boysian Board of Boys and Girls Club of America. Before his career as Chief of IGA, Stevens was a councilor chosen for the Oneida nation (1993-99), and was the first vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.
“President Steven’s constant presence in the industry, in tribal communities, and among legislators, as well as their true will to share on opportunities, the tribal nations games will be lost to improve the quality of the life of people and native communities,” the strategic partners of Sequoyah Simermeyer, former president of the National Commission of Gaming Indian (NIGC) are lost. Game. “During my time as president of NIGC, I valued their dedication when the Indian games sailed the impact of the pandemic and then grew to an unprecedented size.”
Stevens was included in the Hall of Fame of the American Game Association in 2015.
In his youth, Stevens was a decorated amateur boxer: he was four heavyweight state champion (1976-79) and twice a national heavyweight champion (1977-78), which was included in the Hall of Fame of the National Athletic Association of India in 2008 and the fame of Fame of Indigenous Athletics of North America in 2022.
Memories spill
While praise and achievements tell the story of a successful leader, common themes for those who remind Stevens are about the family, empowering the next generation and their continuous goal of protecting the independence of the Indian country has been able to win through games.
The condolences and statements in honor of Stevens came from all corners during the weekend:
Tesi Tasi Hill, Wisconsin Oneida Nation President:
Ernie was an incredible man. While he is widely known for his work at the Indian Games; Our community and many others in Turtle Island know him for his unwavering support for his family, youth programming and the search for the protection of sovereignty. The leaders who open the trails such as Ernie are paved the way for the uncared legacies and the nation will always be grateful for their selfless contributions.
United national Indian tribal:
President Stevens was not only a respected national leader and defender of tribal sovereignty, but was also a firm defender of native young people and future generations of Indian countries. He understood that the strength of our nations rests in the hands of our young people, and constantly invested their time, voice and leadership to guarantee opportunities to prosper.
His presence in our events and his guide words have left an indelible brand in our organization and the thousands of native youth leaders we serve. We will always be grateful for the leadership, support and participation of President Stevens, and for the way he gave a true example of administration for our native young people.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community:
Ernie was a tireless defender of tribal nations, tribal sovereignty and the ability of tribes to improve their economies, their governments and the lives of their people through legal games. Ernie provided a strong and highly effective leadership in a national scenario in the halls of Congress and in large meetings. He also connected and supported tribal leaders and tribal governments at the most local level.
Chris Stearns, President Pro Tem, Washington State House of Representatives:
I am beyond the broken heart. Ernie Stevens, Jr. was very kind to me, so patient and so giving, especially when he didn’t deserve any of that. He was a man of a man, an inspiration in the recovery and a model to follow whose faith in his humans is something he could never meet. It was the best type of person, of the guy who was always there when you needed it most.