Dennis Hendricks, a member of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians tribal council, praised James Siva for his ability to listen to different perspectives and foster compromise within tribal leadership. Siva, currently the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), sees his approach as essential for the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), which is set to hold meetings starting on April 8 in Anaheim. He announced his candidacy for vice-chairman at the Western Indian Gaming Conference in February, where he will challenge incumbent David Z Bean from Washington's Puyallup Tribe.
Highlighting his ambition, Siva was recently recognized in the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s “40 Under 40” list of rising tribal leaders. He is running alongside Justin Barrett, the treasurer of Oklahoma’s East Shawnee Tribe, who may face off against incumbent treasurer Andy Ebona of Alaska’s Douglas Village. If successful, Siva and Barrett would introduce representation from California and Oklahoma—two significant tribal gaming states—onto the IGA executive committee, a platform that currently lacks voices from these regions.
The IGA elections will take place on April 9, during the second day of the annual conference. Candidates must be nominated that day, and regional caucuses will determine their support, with each member tribe holding one delegate and one vote regardless of size.
Siva and Barrett aim to catalyze change within the IGA. Siva shared his concern that complacency has taken root in the association over the past five to ten years, making discussions too repetitive and leading to tribes' frustrations. He noted that achieving total agreement, which IGA requires before taking a stance on issues, is challenging and suggests a need for re-evaluation of how consensus is defined.
The importance of respect in maintaining unity among the CNIGA was highlighted by a 2022 initiative where seven commercial operators attempted to introduce online sports betting in California, which ultimately met with opposition from Indian Country. Although a few tribes supported Proposition 27, the majority of CNIGA did not. Siva emphasized the importance of treating dissenting voices with respect and ensuring those tribes felt included in the dialogue to address their concerns effectively.
“With regard to what unity means, we needed to clarify our core beliefs to move forward, even amidst disagreements,” Siva stated. Hendricks echoed this sentiment, noting that while divergent views can be painful, they are still vital to the group’s fabric.
As California tribes work to heal from earlier divisions, Siva remained firm in opposing a new ballot initiative from a commercial group in 2023, leading to its abandonment. This move provided an opportunity for tribes to redefine the future of legal sports betting and online casinos in California.
“My goal is to ensure everyone has a voice and a seat at the table,” Siva emphasized. As chairman of CNIGA since 2020 and as vice-chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Siva sees his role in tribal leadership as fulfilling a profound calling. He describes it as aligning with his passions for policy-making, public speaking, and interpersonal connection.
A significant partnership is forming with Barrett, who at just 30, is the youngest executive committee member in East Shawnee history. If elected as IGA treasurer, he would set a record as the youngest to hold that position. With a family history deeply embedded in tribal leadership, Barrett is enthusiastic about his chance to make an impact.
Together, Siva and Barrett are collaborating on a new initiative called the Tribal Leadership Council, focused on equipping emerging tribal leaders for success. Barrett recounted a conversation with Andrew Alejandre of California’s Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians that sparked their commitment to developing resources for existing and new leaders.
Both see their upcoming elections as pivotal, providing a platform to address the future of tribal gaming at the national level. Siva regards Barrett’s experience in casino operations as an asset that would enhance his potential as treasurer, while Barrett admires Siva’s coalition-building skills. By this time next week, they hope to be embarking on a new chapter in their leadership journey.
“I’ve always been a geek or a nerd,” Siva reflected. “I’m a high-school dropout but have an Ivy League degree, proving it's never too late to rewrite your story.”
