Last week, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians became the newest members of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA).
The addition of these two memberships follows a recent trend of expansion for the organization, seeing it grow from 34 tribes in 2019 to 50 today.
Nearly all CNIGA tribes (44 of 50) are classified as gaming tribes, putting 70% of all gaming tribes in California under the organization’s mandate.
The 50 tribes of CNIGA
CNIGA is the largest association of tribal governments dedicated to the protection of the inherent right to have gaming on tribal lands.
Below are listed all the 50 tribes now part of CNIGA:
- Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
- Alturas Indian Rancheria
- Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
- Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria
- Big Sandy Rancheria
- Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
- Bishop Tribe
- Blue Lake Rancheria
- Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians
- Cachil DeHe Band of Wintum Indians of the Colusa Indian Community
- Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria
- Cahuilla Band of Indians
- Chemehuevi Indian Tribe
- Chicken Ranch Rancheria
- Elk Valley Rancheria
- Enterprise Rancheria
- Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Greenville Rancheria
- Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California
- Karuk Tribe of California
- Koi Nation of Northern California
- Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians
- Mooretown Rancheria
- Morongo Band of Mission Indians
- North Fork Rancheria
- Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
- Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
- Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians
- Pit River Tribe
- Redding Rancheria
- Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians
- San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
- Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians
- Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians
- Sherwood Valley Rancheria
- Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
- Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians
- Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
- Table Mountain Rancheria
- Tachi Yokut of Santa Rosa Rancheria
- Tejon Indian Tribe
- Tolowa Dee-ni Nation
- Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
- Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
- Tyme Maidu Tribe – Berry Creek Reservation
- Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
- Wilton Rancheria
- Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
- Yuhaviatam of San Manuel Nation
- Yurok Tribe
CNIGA’s recent growth
Much of CNIGA’s recent growth has taken place under the leadership of CNIGA Chairman James Siva, who became head of the organization in 2019.
“I am pleased to welcome Paskenta and Big Valley to the CNIGA family of tribes,” Siva said in a statement announcing the news. “Their additions strengthen our voice on gaming and sovereignty issues in California and help ensure that tribal voices will be heard in the halls of power.”
CNIGA Vice Chairman Mike Lopez also went on record lauding his chief’s managerial touch.
“Chairman Siva has created a welcoming environment and has created a respectful space for tribes to express their views, even when they conflict with the majority,” Lopez said in the release. “He makes sure all voices are heard. I think tribes recognize this, and that is why so many have joined or re-joined the organization.”
About CNIGA
Established in 1988, CNIGA is a non-profit organization made up of federally recognized tribal governments. The organization represents 61 tribal gaming operators in California and is dedicated to defending Indian gaming on federally recognized Indian territories.
CNIGA functions as a planning and coordinating agency for legislative, policy, legal and communications initiatives, as well as an industry forum for information and resources.
The main goal of the organization is to promote, defend and maintain the general welfare and interest of Indian tribes by establishing solid laws and practices for the conduct of gaming activities.
The organization lends a helping hand to Indian tribes and the federal government by providing technical support to Indian gaming business, particularly when that assistance benefits the association’s members and the Indian gaming community collectively.
Another task the organization fulfills is the dissemination of information to the Indian gaming community, the federal and state governments, as well as the general public.
