FLAGSTAFF, AZ – The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) has honored 186 of its total 1,200 team members for reaching significant employment milestones including 15, 10 and 5 years of service for the enterprise. The event at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, AZ, showcased the impact and journey of each hard-working team member, with a special highlight for 29 employees that have served for 15 years.
Less than 10 years after Navajo Gaming was created by the Navajo Nation and charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation, the gaming enterprise created over 7,425 direct, indirect and induced jobs with an overall economic output of over a $1 billion.
“Navajo Gaming employs 1,200 people, 85 percent of whom are Navajo citizens,” said Matthew Shunkamolah, Navajo Gaming’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “The award-winning AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Twin Arrows Casino Resort shares Navajo culture through architectural nuances and local artists. Each of the property dining eateries feature ‘Navajo Beef,’ and traditional cuisine of the Navajo people, and our invitation to stay, play and relax at one of our four properties or travel center is an open welcome to the Navajo Nation’s beautiful scenic transformation.”
Additional Navajo Gaming Economic Impacts include:
- 74 percent of management jobs are held by Navajos, including 60 percent of senior-level positions.
- Navajo Gaming has generated an additional 5,296 jobs in other tribal enterprises, such as construction, utilities, ranching, agriculture and retail development.
- Navajo contractors built the largely rural casinos and connected utilities and water lines.
- Navajo artisans supply the gift shops.
- Navajo Gaming participates in a government-wide initiative to promote education as a means of creating economic development and opportunity on the reservation, including tuition reimbursement programs.
Team members recognized for 15 years of services have worked their way up to a wide variety of positions within the enterprise from General Manager and Executive Director of Slots, to Director of Security, Food and Beverage Supervisor and Executive Director of Government Affairs.
15-year team members honored at the event included: Colleen Acque; Earlinda Bitsoie; Phefelia Bradley; Margaret Cleaver; Rose Cleveland; Pamela David; Chasity Eddy; Gina Francisco; Valencia Henderson; Michelle Jarvison; Aletta Joe; Kenneth Johnson; Emiley Livingston; Alan Martin; Shylah Martin; Sara Montoya; Virginia Perry; Lucia Lee Redhorse; Michele Thomas; Gloriann Tom; Karen Willie; Celia Yazzie; Derrick Yazzie; and Elvira Yazzie.