SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) held a gubernatorial candidate forum in downtown Sacramento. All declared candidates for governor accepted the invitation.
The forum provided a chance for gubernatorial candidates to engage California’s tribal leaders on a variety of subjects and allowed them to introduce their candidacies and articulate their views as they relate to tribal issues. Among the issues discussed were tribal sovereignty, insurance availability and cost, gaming futures, reconciliation and tribal consultation, selecting a tribal advisor, and the compacting process.
CNIGA Chairman James Siva moderated the forum. Setting the discussion for the forum, Siva stressed the importance of tribal sovereignty and gauging the candidates’ understanding of tribes and tribal issues.
“CNIGA’s mission is to protect the sovereign right of California tribal governments to operate gaming on tribal lands,” said Siva. “Sovereignty is the foundation of every tribe and their reservation and it’s vital that our elected leaders and our next governor understand that. Today provided an opportunity for our member tribes to hear from the candidates about their knowledge of sovereignty and how they would work collaboratively with tribes if they were to be elected.”
Candidates who appeared at the forum were: former State Controller Betty Yee, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former California Attorney General and federal Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, former California Senate President Pro-Tem and Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond was unable to appear due to illness but will address members at a later date.
