Washington, D.C. – April 06, 2018 – On Tuesday, April 17, the National Indian Gaming Association will officially kick off Indian Gaming 2018 with the Chairman’s Welcome Reception, at 6:00 pm (PDT,) at the Westgate Hotel Pool in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

National Indian Gaming Association Chairman, Ernie Stevens, Jr., said, “The Chairman’s Welcome Reception, has long been known as our opportunity to welcome the Indian gaming family and to officially kick off the celebration of this industry, our gaming professionals, our Indian gaming partners and the tribal communities and organizations who have benefited from tribal government gaming.”  

Native Stand-up Comedian Tatanka Means will headline the evening event, taking to the stage to bring laughs and entertainment. 

Tatanka Means is an award-winning actor, stand-up comedian and motivational speaker from Chinle, Arizona. He represents the Navajo, Oglala Lakota, and Omaha Nations. Means can be seen starring in the television movie, Saints & Strangers for the National Geographic Channel and season one of The Son on AMC with Pierce Brosnan. Other highlights include A Million Ways to Die in The West with Seth Macfarlane, appearing as Crazy Horse in Steven Spielberg’s TNT series, Into the West, and in his role as “Wolf” in the movie Tiger Eyes, based upon the novel by acclaimed author, Judy Blume. 

Aside from acting Tatanka performs stand-up comedy internationally throughout the U.S. and Canada. Tatanka is one of the busiest touring Native comedians performing today. You can also catch him with the hilarious Native American Comedy group, 49 Laughs. Tatanka currently continues to travel Indian Country spreading laughter and messages of motivation to all ages entertaining audiences everywhere from casinos and schools, conferences and colleges to prisons and rehab centers. Means was recognized and awarded for his comedy by being voted “Best Comedian” by Albuquerque The Magazine in their annual Best of the City issue.

Tatanka’s ambition and perseverance have taken him from his home on the reservation to traveling across North America. He has become a much-needed role model for all American Indian First Nations youth. Tatanka is proud to be alcohol & drug-free sober performer and living a healthy lifestyle.

The Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 17 – 20, 2018.  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.