(PRESS RELEASE) -- On, Wednesday, 3 April, the National Indian Gaming Association will present the ever-popular tradeshow with the excitement of the annual ribbon-cutting event. Officially joining the tribal leadership and the 2019 "Women Warriors" will be American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and DJ Taboo, best known as a member of the hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas at the ribbon-cutting event.
Jamie Gomes, better known as Taboo, of the Shoshone Nation became the newest ambassador of Nike N7 last year in an unprecedented cross-section of athletics, entertainment and Native American style announced by Nike.
Taboo, who has been with the music group the Black Eye Peas since 1995, has also ventured on to become a solo artist, actor, songwriter and DJ. According to a recent Nike N7 press release, Taboo recalls that as a Mexican/Native American kid growing up in Los Angeles, he didn’t have a lot of Native role models to look to in the entertainment industry. But, like many Native kids, his grandma kept him connected to the culture and served as his No. 1 motivator and supporter.
The ribbon-cutting, scheduled for Wednesday, 3 April at 9 a.m. PT, will not only include an appearance by the rapper but also a special keynote panel and discussion featuring the tribal leadership being recognized as the 2019 Women Warriors of gaming by the National Indian Gaming Association, prior to the ceremonial ribbon-cutting event.
This year’s class of honorees are:
- Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota
- Stephanie Bryan, 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 (Posthumously)
National Indian Gaming Association Chairman, Ernie Stevens, Jr., said, “Our ribbon cutting event has long been known as our opportunity to set the stage, presenting the great partnership with the gaming industry, our gaming professionals, our Indian gaming partners and the tribal communities and organizations who have benefited from tribal government gaming. It is always great to be joined by the many celebrities who support and represent Indian country.”
The Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention will be held at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California 1-3 April 2019. It is the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention is both the meeting place where the community gathers to learn, network and exchange industry-specific ideas and a cultural celebration of success, strength, and self-reliance.
The largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention is both the meeting place where the community gathers to learn, network and exchange industry-specific ideas and a cultural celebration of success, strength and self-reliance.