Maricopa Surprised By Ak-Chin Grant
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Alongside city leaders and school board members, the Ak-Chin Tribal Council leaders took the stage at Maricopa’s City Council Meeting May 10 to announce a donation of $10 million from the Ak-Chin Indian Community to the city.
The Maricopa Unified School District will receive $2.6 million from the donation while the other $7.4 will be contributed to the maintenance and operations of the city’s multi-generational center, the Copper Sky Recreational Complex.
“This is not the 12 percent gaming money required by the (proposition); this is [Ak-Chin’s] own personal investment, and they are making an investment in the City of Maricopa,” said Mayor of Maricopa Christian Price.
The tribe will work with the city in overseeing how the money is spent.
While the council was aware of the donation beforehand, the crowd was caught by surprise, leading to applause and cheering at the announcement.
Read more at Tri Valley Central.
Tribal Gaming Revenue Growing
As the economy climbs out of the recession, revenue from tribal gaming in Arizona continued to rise for a second year in 2011.
According to Casino City’s 2013 Indian Gaming Industry Report, the state’s 22 casinos, posted $1.76 billion in revenues in 2011, up 7.3% from the previous year.
“Slowly but surely the economy is coming back around,” said Valerie Spicer, executive director for the Arizona Indian Gaming Association. “When the gaming numbers come back up, the contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund go up, and that affects everybody in the state.”
Read more at Your West Valley.
Tribes Use Technology to Save Endangered Languages
Many tribes across the country are racing against time to save their native languages that may only still be spoken by a small group of elder members using technology.
While many of the efforts to get younger tribe members interested in the traditional languages are more low-tech like mentor programs and immersion programs in school, technology is also being enlisted with YouTube videos of native speakers or video chats for long-distance conversations.
Read more at The Washington Post
Phoenix Outlets Bring Economic Benefits
The Phoenix Premium Outlets opened in early April, providing hundreds of new jobs to the Chandler area and an
Miss Gila River 2013 had the honor of the ribbon cutting at the grand opening of Phoenix Premium Outlets at Wild Horse Pass.
economic boost along with it.
The new mall, located adjacent to the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, opened with 90 stores including Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors and many more, with more expected to open in the coming months.
The partnership between the Gila River Indian Community and Premium Outlets is ideal as it adds a major shopping component to the already in place entertainment and restaurant options at Wild Horse Pass.
The outlets are expected to bring 800 permanent jobs to the area and generate more than $150 million annually in retail sales. That translates to approximately $13 million in tax revenue.
New Arizona Indian Gaming Association Deputy Director Appointed
The Arizona Indian Gaming Association announced its appointment of a new Deputy Director in late March.
Judy Ferreira has accepted the position of Deputy Director of AIGA after an extensive search by the organization to fill the position.
“I am extremely pleased to be joining this organization where I can focus my professional expertise in journalism, marketing, administration and gaming to promote this organization and Tribes,” said Ferreira. “I am very familiar with AIGA and look forward to getting involved in its issues and activities. This organization is working effectively to improve the quality of life for Native people, which is extremely important to me.”
Ferreira will work closely with AIGA Executive Director Valerie Spicer and assist her in coordinating the communications outreach for the Association and working with her to develop the Associate Member program, among other responsibilities in her new position, said the organization.
Read more at Market Watch.