‘Spirit of a fighter:’ Celebrating the life and achievements of Ernie Stevens Jr

Ernie Stevens Jr has served as the Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association since 2000, having been elected 13 times in a row. This serves as a reflection of the esteem he was held in by the Indian Gaming community and beyond. With the sad news of his passing, here we explore some of the key moments in his life.

Ernie’s father, Ernie Stevens Sr, was a Korean War veteran, one of the ‘Frozen Chosen’ at the Battle of the Choisin Reservoir.

He was honoured by National American Indian Veterans in 2012, and like his son, had a storied career working for the betterment of Indian Country behind him.

Ernie Senior passed away last year having achieved much that his son would build upon – he worked in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and was chosen to lead a commission in 1975, reviewing the relationship between the Tribal nations and the US Government. 

Ernie Junior was born in May 1959 and didn’t waste time making his mark. 

As a young man he channeled his talents and his strength into boxing. In 1975, aged 16, he co-founded Soaring Eagle Boxing Club in Oneida alongside Louie Askinette. 

It wasn’t long before Ernie became state heavyweight champion. He won the title in 1976, and defended it three times in 1977, 1978, and 1979. 

We lost a warrior today. Ernie Stevens’ voice and work carried forth a family legacy of service with great honour

To this personal athletic honour roll he added two national heavyweight championships fighting out of Carson City in 1977 and 1978, all while still very much a teenager. 

Later, in 1983, he picked up his Associate Degree from Haskell Indian Junior college.  

After marrying his wife Cheryl, he would continue educating himself, collecting a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Senario College in 1996 and a Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix in 2021. 

Another source of great pride however, and a massive step on the road to becoming the hugely influential figure that he was, will have been his election as a Councilman for the Oneida Nation. A post he held between 1993 and 1996. 

In 1995, his Washington career took off and he followed his father’s footsteps to become First Vice-President of the National Congress of American Indians. 

At the turn of the millennium, Stevens Jr was voted in as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association for a two-year term. He would be voted back in a further 12 times consecutively, including, most recently, in April this year. 

In 2000 when he took over, Tribal gross gaming revenues sat at $11bn for the year. Full year results for 2024 were $43.9bn. 

Financial results had risen in all but two years of Steven’s reign. Not only that, but since dropping in 2020 around the Covid-19 Pandemic, growth has accelerated faster than ever. 

Stevens has received lots of recognition for his achievements – in 2008 he was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame. 

He also was welcomed into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame in 2012, an organisation he’d been a part of as a youth. 

In 2013 he became a Lifetime Member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Alumni Association. 

Two years later he was rewarded for the incredible work he was doing furthering the interests of Indian gaming with his induction into the American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame. 

He was not only our Chairman, but a mentor, a friend and a warrior for tribal sovereignty

Only as recently as August, Stevens was honoured for his 24 years at the forefront of Indian gaming. He was introduced to the gathered crowdin Milwaukee by Mark Powless, Chairman of the Oneida Gaming Commission, as someone who: “Embodies the spirit of a fighter, literally and as a statesman; he brings the discipline, humility, and perseverance forged in the ring to his work as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.” 

Keen not to rest on his laurels, Stevens reiterated his commitment and drive to build on the last year’s record-breaking numbers. 

Ernie Stevens Jr passed away on Friday, 26 September 2025. A memorial service will take place to honour his life across 3 and 4 October. 

This was his message to the conference in August: 

“For 24 years, I’ve stayed committed, and I plan to maintain this focus moving forward. Together, we’ll push our proactive agenda and stand united as Indian Country to defend tribal sovereignty at all costs. I promised I would give my all, day in and day out, to support tribal government gaming efforts. It’s an honour to be your messenger, amplifying the voices of our elected tribal officials, and I’ll carry your message with pride and purpose.” 

(Image source: Indian Gaming Association)

Tributes 

“We lost a warrior today. Ernie Stevens’ voice and work carried forth a family legacy of service with great honour. Not only a national leader, but a smoke dancer and cultural practitioner, he represented the best of what we aspire to be as leaders in Indian Country.” – NCAI President, Mark Macarro 

“The Seminole Tribe of Florida is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Ernie Stevens Jr., who worked tirelessly for more than two decades as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.  We mourn the loss of a friend who championed the sovereign rights of all Tribes to advance the livelihoods of their members through successful gaming enterprises. We pray for him and for his family, friends, co-workers and for the Oneida Nation.  Florida’s Seminoles will be forever in his debt for all that he accomplished on behalf of our Tribe and Tribes throughout Indian Country.” – Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman, Marcellus Osceola Jr. 

“Beyond his professional impact, I personally cherished Ernie’s friendship. His warmth, generosity, and unwavering support meant a great deal to me, and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the American Gaming Association, our members, and the entire gaming community, I extend our deepest condolences to the Stevens family, the Indian Gaming Association, and all those whose lives Ernie touched. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we work to honour the values he championed so well.” – AGA President and CEO, Bill Miller  

“Ernie was a warrior, a leader and a friend. His impact on the gaming industry and the many Native Nations who have strengthened their economies through gaming enterprises is beyond measure. On behalf of the Seneca Nation and all Seneca people, I extend our condolences and sorrow to Ernie’s family, as well as his Oneida Nation community. He will be missed.” – Seneca Nation President, J. Conrad Seneca 

“Chairman Stevens’ passing leaves a void that will be felt across all of Indian Country. He was not only our Chairman, but a mentor, a friend and a warrior for tribal sovereignty. His legacy will continue to guide our work for generations to come.” – IGA Executive Director, Jason Giles 

“Ernie always worked fiercely to create space for the next generation of leaders. His contributions to CNAY made us stronger and more determined.” – CNAY Native Youth Executive Director, Tracy Canard Goodluck 

“Ernie was an amazing man. While he is widely known for his work in Indian Gaming; our community and many others across Turtle Island know him for his unwavering support of his family, youth programming and the pursuit of sovereignty protection. Trail-blazing leaders such as Ernie pave the way for uncontested legacies and the Nation will be forever grateful for his unselfish contributions.” – Oneida Nation Chairman, Tehassi Tasi Hill 

“It was the honour of a lifetime to serve as Comms Director for Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin) – father, leader, mentor, former boxer, proud son, proud of Indian Country. The voice of our gaming industry. Irreplaceable. A walking monument of our history. Saddened by his passing.” – Former colleague on X  

“My heart aches for the family of Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., upon learning of his sudden death. The tributes pouring in accurately describe him as a longtime fierce advocate for tribal sovereignty. He was also a true feminist who lifted up those around him, especially Native women doing the work. Seeing Ernie a few times a year was always a gift that included a big bear hug and incredible words of encouragement at just the right time – including just this month in Minnesota. I’ll treasure those final supportive words he ever spoke to me.” – LT Governor of Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan 

“I will miss his leadership, mentorship and commitment to our organisation and always doing what’s best for Indian Country. Simply put, Chairman Stevens is irreplaceable.” – President and CEO at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Chris James

(Article lead image source: Indian Gaming Association)