Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers last week ordered state and U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff to honor former Oneida Nation Chairman Richard G. “Rick” Hill, who died unexpectedly on December 13 at the age of 66.
“Chairman Hill leaves behind a legacy of service not only to the Oneida Tribe and Wisconsin’s Native Nations, but to our entire state,” Evers said, citing Hill’s “honorable legacy of service.”
Hill served two terms as Oneida Nation chairman, from 1990 to 1993 and in 2008. During his first term, the Oneida Nation signed its first state gaming compact. Also in his first term as chairman, Hill served as the first chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) in Washington, D.C. Hill testified numerous times before Congress as he advocated on behalf of NIGA for minimum internal control standards for tribal gaming.
- Gay Kingman, executive director of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association, and a co-founder of NIGA, said, “There was so much work to do and we were up against powerful enemies such as, in 1993, New Jersey Congressman Robert Torricelli who introduced legislation to deny Indian gaming. Donald Trump was called to be a witness before the committee. He testified in support Torricelli’s legislation and got into a verbal fight with the chairman of the congressional committee over his racist words after Trump said, ‘They don’t look like Indians to me.’”
Kingman continued, “Some members of Congress were against tribes’ right to game, but we prevailed when Rick and Tim dubbed the legislation the ‘Donald Trump Protection Act’ and the legislation died in committee. Many in the casino industry didn’t want tribes to game, they saw the competition. The media was mostly negative against tribes; also the religious right opposed Indian gaming. States where refusing to sign compacts with tribes.”
Despite many obstacles, Kingman said, NIGA succeeded. “Tribes and states eventually all signed compacts, the tribal gaming enterprises expanded, Rick signed the incorporation of NIGA in Washington D.C. and NIGA purchased the NIGA building where they remain today. Tribes have many casinos with revenue coming in, relationships have improved and NIGA is strong today thanks to those who carried on the Rick Hill legacy.”
As Hill himself once said, “When it’s legitimately operated, (gaming) builds success. But gaming is not a means to an end, it’s a means to a beginning.”
Hill later formed a consulting group, advising tribes and other entities about economic development and partnerships in Indian Country. He also developed RGH Holdings Inc., which helped develop the first off-reservation casino, as well as a tribally owned hotel in Washington D.C.
In a statement, the Oneida Nation government said, “The Oneida Nation circle of generational leadership will be greatly impacted by the passing of one of our most respected prominent leaders. We extend heartfelt sympathy and our condolences to his family and friends.”
