Nathan Small, chairman the Idaho-based Shoshone-Bannock
Tribe, was awarded the Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior Award during the Cultural
Night celebration at the Indian Gaming 2013Tradeshow and Convention, currently
taking place at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
The award, which
was named after the late Tim Wapato, the National Indian Gaming
Association’s first executive director, is bestowed to the tribal executive who
best exhibits leadership to preserve culture and economic sustainability. The Sovereign
Warrior Award was presented to Small by Wapato’s widow, Gay Kingman-Wapato.
“He
has been fighting for his people, and for tribes throughout this leadership
career,” Kingman-Wapato said. “Nathan was NIGA's first treasurer. He has
continued the fight for sovereignty, and most recently, has lead the effort to
clean up the Superfund site on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho, which has
severely contaminated the Shoshone Bannock land.”
Chairman
Small has served on the seven-member Fort Hall Business Council for a total of
six years. In June of 2011, he was re-elected for a second term as chairman;
prior to that, he served as vice-chairman. Chairman Small was instrumental in
opening the Shoshone- Bannock Tribes’ first gaming operation and served as tribal
gaming manager from 1990 to 1998. He has also been a member of the
Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Bar Association since 1980, and has held positions as
both a prosecutor and public defender in Tribal Court.
“Thank
you for this award. It is quite an honor and even though Tim Wapato is not
here, I know there are people who are continuing to fight for sovereignty,” Chairman
Small said. “We have to fight and fight and fight. That is who we are, and that
is what we will continue to do.”
“Chairman
Small reminds us that by being resilient and steadfast, you can achieve much
for your community,” added Ernie Stevens Jr., NIGA chairman. “His energy should
serve as a reminder that there is no deadline for dedication, and he has proven
that again and again for his community and for Indian country.”
Idaho tribal leader receives Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior Award
March 26, 2013
No Comments