The National Indian Gaming Association is pleased to announce that the association will be honoring seven outstanding women as Women Warriors for their excellence in Tribal leadership at the annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego this week.
This year’s honorees are:
- Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota
- Stephanie Bryant, Tribal Chair and CEO for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama
- Bernadine Burnette, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Arizona
- Shannon Hosley, President, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin
- Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation in Washington State
- Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in California
- Virginia Hill, Indian Country Advocate (posthumous)
“Our women are our strength and our resilience and ensure our future,” National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., said. “These women have been strong leaders for the tribal communities they represent and have dedicated their lives to the advancement of tribal government gaming and economic diversification. They serve as examples for all of Indian country.”
The Women Warriors will be honored in a special keynote on Wednesday, April 3 at 9 AM, before the official opening of the tradeshow floor.
The 2019 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention takes place April 1 – 4 at the San Diego Convention Center.
For more information about the show, go to www.indiangaming.org
