Four tribal leaders share the steps their tribes are taking to ensure the long-term economic and cultural resilience of their communities, and the primary areas of focus for their gaming and entertainment enterprises. Here is what they had to say…
Felix Chaves, Governor
Pueblo of Sandia
Sandia Resort & Casino – Albuquerque, NM
sandiacasino.com / sandiapueblo.nsn.us
RESILIENCE: The Pueblo of Sandia remains deeply committed to the health, well-being, and future of our tribal members. In a major step forward, we recently opened a state-of-the-art Fire Station and Emergency Medical Services facility, providing 24/7 protection and care for our community. This achievement was made possible through a strong partnership with the federal government, the State of New Mexico, and Bernalillo County.
We are also proud to be nearing completion of the long-awaited Sandia Child Development Center – an advanced facility focused on early brain development and educational excellence. This center represents our tribal council’s unwavering vision to invest in our youth and ensure future generations thrive through access to high-quality, positive learning environments.
Alongside this project, we’ve modernized local infrastructure and are actively upgrading technology across the pueblo to ensure every tribal member has access to top-tier equipment and reliable high-speed internet. Together, these efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to progress, innovation, and the prosperity of the Pueblo of Sandia community.
GAMING: The Pueblo of Sandia tribal leadership and tribal council are steadfast with the mission of Sandia Resort & Casino to set the standard in leisure and entertainment offerings through exceptional experiences, world-class amenities, and service that goes above and beyond. Every employee is dedicated to creating memorable moments and building lasting connections with our guests. Sandia Resort & Casino believes in dreaming big – pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and empowering our leaders to exceed expectations in everything we do. From gaming and entertainment to golf, spa, fine dining, conventions and our luxury accommodations, Sandia Resort & Casino is constantly evolving to deliver the very best.
Brad Kneaper, Tribal Chair
Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Three Rivers Casino Resort – Florence, OR and Three Rivers Casino – Coos Bay, OR
threeriverscasino.com / ctclusi.org
RESILIENCE: First and foremost, our tribal leaders want to assure that our tribal members are able to be successful and support them in any way we can. One of our priorities to sustain our culture is to bring back our language. We are in the process of teaching languages to tribal members of all ages. We are looking to diversify our economic development in order to sustain the tribal citizens for at least the next seven generations. Revenue from the gaming facility is used to fund needed programs and services to the tribal citizens, including healthcare, educational opportunities, and social services. It serves as another way for the tribes to steward our ancestral lands.
GAMING: Our gaming enterprise, Three Rivers Casino Resort, has three main focus areas. First, we seek to provide an enhanced guest experience by fostering a resort-like experience by integrating cross-marketing efforts across our diverse outlets, including a RV park, hotel, and a golf course that includes stay-and-play packages. Second, we seek to improve operational efficiency by implementing automation technologies to streamline tasks to reduce manual effort, minimize errors by automating repetitive processes, and decrease service times through faster transaction processing. Third, we seek to strengthen community involvement by playing an active role in supporting our community by contributing to local economic development through job creation and partnerships with businesses and organizations and awarding grants to non-profits through the Three Rivers Foundation.
Steven Orihuela, Chairman
Bishop Paiute Tribe
Wanaaha Casino – Bishop, CA
wanaaha.com / bishoppaiute.net
RESILIENCE: The Bishop Paiute Tribe is aggressively pushing a number of key projects meant to improve our economy and community. We are building a new emergency operations center, laying a fiber-optic network spanning across the reservation, and creating culturally appropriate development plans for regional tourism. We still honor our seasonal gatherings for spring (Taawano), summer (Taatsawano), fall (Yuuwano), and winter (Toowano), as well as the Nϋϋmϋ Yadoha Language Program run by the Owens Valley Career Development Center to help maintain the Nϋϋmϋ language among our people. We bless the tϋba (pine nuts) each spring; in fall, we gather their abundance from the trees; during winter we tell our stories; and all year long we participate in hand games. This snapshot captures our will to preserve our resilience and to carry on our customs.
GAMING: Our Wanaaha Casino is a limited gaming property housed within the Eastern Sierra, and we are committed to keeping the highest allowed Class III gaming machine count and providing enticing incentives to our rural and local customers. Underutilized casino space is being turned into a formal banquet and conference hall for which concerts, tribal events, and other community meetings will be housed. At last, the Wanaaha Casino team is working diligently on the hotel, which will be a four-story, 52,000 sq. ft. property featuring 78 guest rooms – including 43 double rooms – and a selection of elegant suites, highlighted by a high-roller luxury suite. Amenities will include a fully equipped fitness center, a pool with jacuzzi, a spacious patio area, and Taba, our on-site coffee bar (“sun” in Nϋϋmϋ).
Erica Pinto, Chairwoman
Jamul Indian Village
Jamul Casino Resort – Jamul, CA
jamulcasino.com / jamulindianvillage.meshcreative.com
RESILIENCE: The Jamul Indian Village prioritizes sustainability in the use of our tribal lands, viewing everything from the standpoint of what will help sustain the tribe and its economic security for generations to come. When determining the best use for our lands, we’ve found that it is important to gain consensus on tribal values in development: Are there any uses or development types that would infringe upon the tribe’s values, or for which the benefits of development would not outweigh the drawbacks? Because we view life as interconnected, every decision concerning our lands has physical, economic, social, and cultural consequences. Working to incorporate our cultural values into development and designs, investing in our youth, and maintaining good relationships with local partners are all strategies that we have implemented to ensure that our future generations will continue to build upon and enjoy our tribe’s economic success.
GAMING: At present, we are focused on preparing for the grand opening of our resort hotel, the Jamul Casino Resort, in August 2025. The Jamul Casino Resort expansion features a 16-story hotel tower, event center, and parking garage, with luxury amenities including a rooftop pool, spa and salon, fitness center, banquet room, restaurants, and bars. After years of planning and hard work, we are very proud and excited to celebrate this significant milestone in the Jamul Casino’s history, and look forward to continuing to provide our visitors with an elite level of service and welcoming experience.
