Sacramento, CA (June 21, 2021) — The largest regional tribal gaming association in the United States keeps getting bigger. Since late 2019, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association has grown from 34 member tribes to 39. This represents over one-third of all tribes in the state of California.
Joining the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, who re-joined CNIGA in late 2019, the following year saw the Tachi Yokut Tribe, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians come back into the CNIGA fold.
Last week, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians have re-joined CNIGA, while the Tejon Indian Tribe have become members for the first time.
“We are incredibly pleased and honored to bring more tribal governments into this great organization,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva. “Tribal governments need a strong, unified voice on gaming issues, and CNIGA provides a forum for tribal voices to be heard in the halls of power. Each tribe brings a unique perspective, therefore bringing greater knowledge to the whole.”
CNIGA was founded in 1988 and is comprised solely of federally recognized tribal governments and associate members who are dedicated to the tribal government gaming industry. CNIGA is dedicated to the purpose of preserving and protecting Indian gaming on federally recognized Indian lands. It acts as a planning and coordinating agency for legislative, policy, legal and communications efforts on behalf of its members and serves as an industry forum for information and resources.