Statement by Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association

Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2025 – Native America is saddened by the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024. At 100 years old, he leaves a legacy of compassion, peacemaking, and a lifetime dedicated to serving others.

President Carter will always be remembered for his unwavering desire to uplift humanity. His leadership, while met with mixed reviews, included significant policy gains for Indian tribes. Notably, he helped work to elevate a position within the Interior Department to lead its Indian Affairs policy. Carter, who visited the Interior Department in February of 1977, shortly after his inauguration, stated that he thought the person responsible for Indian affairs should have the rank and dignity of an Assistant Secretary. Later that year, Congress passed a law to authorize the establishment of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. On July 12, 1977, President Carter nominated Forest J. Gerard, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet tribe, to serve as the first Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. The Senate confirmed him in September, and Mr. Gerard was sworn in as the first Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs on October 13, 1977. This move symbolized a commitment to giving Indigenous communities a stronger voice in federal decision making. 

Carter signed other groundbreaking bills into law, including the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which safeguarded Native people’s rights to practice their spiritual beliefs by guaranteeing access to sacred sites and the freedom to perform ceremonies free of government interference. He also championed the Tribally Controlled Community College Act, the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, and the Indian Child Welfare Act, each of which aimed to enhance the lives and rights of Native Americans.

On a personal note, I was honored to meet President Carter by chance in 2015 on a flight home from the ICE Gaming Conference. Our conversation reflected his deep respect for those who serve our communities. I proudly shared the enduring legacy of my late father, Ernie Stevens, Sr., whose impactful roles as the director of the Joint Congressional American Indian Policy Review Commission and the first staff director of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs profoundly shaped the discourse surrounding Indian affairs. His dedication to these organizations not only elevated the voices of Native communities but also laid the groundwork for meaningful policy dialogue.

President Carter’s warm response deeply resonated with me: “Tell your dad ‘thank you’ for his service to this country. As a Marine Corps combat veteran and staff director.” This sentiment embodies the significance of our collective efforts in advocating for justice and equity.

As we remember President Carter today, as he makes his final trip to Washington, D.C., to lay in state, we honor his enduring legacy of empathy and selfless service to humanity. His contributions to our nation, particularly to Indian Country, will not be forgotten. His life serves as an inspiration for us all to continue to work towards protecting the rights of our people in his spirit of dedication and compassion. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.