The third annual Charity Slot Tournament to Benefit the Spirit of Sovereignty was held during the week of the recent Indian Gaming Tradeshow. According to the National Indian Gaming Commission, the event raised $11,000 to benefit Native American youth.
The tournament was hosted by NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. in partnership with IGT on its IncrediBell! slot tournament solution.
Isaiah Vivanco, vice chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, captured first place at the tournament, continuing Soboba’s three-year run of success in the event. The top three finishers in the event can donate their winnings to tribal college scholarships or reservation-based programs serving native youth.
Vivanco has directed his $5,000 to be used for native youth activities in Southern California, including a Youth Council End of the Year Summer Bash Event and Youth Council Holiday Workshop.
Chairman Rodney Butler of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation finished second in the tournament and is directing his $4,000 winnings to support United National Indian Tribal Youth (Unity, Inc.).
“I truly appreciate IGT’s partnership with NIGA to help coordinate such an impactful event,” he said. “It provides an exciting way to raise money for our tribal youth and help build the future leaders of Indian Country.”
Third-place winner Rjay Brunkow of the Indian Land Capital Company will donate $2,000 to support scholarships at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Minnesota. Brunkow has enjoyed playing in the tournament for the past three years. “Regardless of the outcome,” he said, “it’s always important to support higher education for our youth.”
“It’s always an energizing event,” said Spirit of Sovereignty Coordinator David Garelick. “We are grateful to everyone who participated, but it was especially great to have tribal leaders join us this year. We would also like to give a special thank you to Chairman Stevens, Knute Knudson of IGT, Brian Sullivan at Clarion Events and all their associates who helped make the event possible.”
Tournament participants included:
- NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., and his special guest former NBA All-Star A.C. Green (both sponsored by Indian Land Tenure Foundation)
- Chairman Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
- Chairman Scott Cozart, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians
- Vice-Chairman Isaiah Vivanco, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians
- R. J. Brunkow, Indian Land Capital Company
- Mary Kim Titla, Unity, Inc. (sponsored by Indian Land Capital Company)
- Paul Gordon, Rymax, Inc.
- James Klas, Klas Robinson
- Kelli Weaver, American Checked (on behalf of sponsor AGEM)
- David Garelick, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
