2026 Native American Heritage Month and Election Day Message
David Z. Bean, Chairman, Indian Gaming Association

As we begin Native American Heritage Month and recognize Election Day, we honor the strength of our Tribal Nations, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the generations who fought to ensure our voices would be heard. Long before the United States was established, our Nations practiced self-government, built alliances, and developed leadership systems that helped lay the foundations of American democracy. Our cultures, traditions, and teachings helped shape this country, and our people continue to play an important role in its future.

Our ancestors understood that our greatest strength comes from unity. They taught us to honor our relationships, respect one another, and work together for our people’s good. I often reflect on something our elders taught us growing up: We are who our ancestors prayed for, fought for, and sacrificed for. We honor those sacrifices by protecting our sovereignty, caring for our communities, and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to lead.

On this Election Day, we are reminded of the importance of the Native American vote. Our people fought for generations to secure and exercise the right to vote, and we must never take that right for granted. Our voices matter in elections at every level of government. From local communities to Congress, elected leaders’ decisions affect our Tribal Nations, our treaty and sovereign rights, our economies, and the future of our children and grandchildren. The Native vote is an important part of American democracy, and our participation ensures that our communities have a voice in the decisions that shape our future.

That same determination and unity gave rise to tribal government gaming. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the pioneering Tribal leaders who stood together to defend our sovereign rights and establish an industry that has transformed Indian Country. Their legacy endures today, as tribal government gaming generated $46.2 billion in gross gaming revenue in fiscal year 2025, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and strengthening economies across the United States. More importantly, those resources help our Nations provide education, healthcare, housing, cultural preservation, and essential services for our people.

As we continue to confront threats to Tribal government gaming, including sports event contracts offered through prediction markets, we are once again reminded of the power of standing together. At the Indian Gaming Association, we remain committed to working directly with Tribal governments, gaming regulators, and our national and regional Tribal organizations to protect the sovereignty and economic opportunities our leaders fought so hard to secure.

In my Puyallup culture, our canoe and paddle traditions teach us that when we paddle together, we move forward with greater strength and purpose. Those same teachings guide our work today. We may represent many different Tribal Nations, but our shared commitment to sovereignty, self-determination, and future generations brings us together.

As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and recognize the importance of Election Day, let us honor our ancestors not only through remembrance, but through our continued participation, leadership, and responsibility to our people. Our history helped shape this country, our voices continue to influence its direction, and our unity will help determine the legacy we leave behind.

Our ancestors gave us a voice. Our responsibility is to carry it forward.

On behalf of the Indian Gaming Association, I wish all of Indian Country a meaningful Native American Heritage Month.

United to Protect All.