Ernest L. "Ernie" Stevens Jr. — who led the Indian Gaming Association for more than 20 years and helped oversee unprecedented growth in tribal gaming — died suddenly on Friday, Sept. 26. Stevens, a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and chairman of the Indian Gaming Association board, was 66.
His family issued a statement late Friday acknowledging his death. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Dad and Papa, Ernie Stevens Jr. We ask for privacy at this time as our family navigates this profound loss.”
Stevens' death came just weeks after he was recognized in Milwaukee for leading the association during a time when tribal gaming operations generated $43.9 billion in gaming revenue during fiscal year 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking performance. He was re-elected in April to his 13th term as chairman of the IGA, having served in the role for 24 years.
Beyond gaming advocacy, Stevens was deeply committed to youth development. In a LinkedIn post, United National Indian Tribal Youth noted on LinkedIn that he “understood that the strength of our Nations rests in the hands of our young people, and he consistently invested his time, voice, and leadership to ensure opportunities for them to thrive.”
He served on numerous boards including the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the Nike N7 Foundation, the Center for Native American Youth and the Native American Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Stevens served as an elected councilman of the Oneida Nation from 1993-1999 and as first vice president of the National Congress of American Indians. His influence extended across political boundaries, with Washington State House Speaker Pro Tem Chris Stearns calling him “a lion of a man” and “an inspiration in recovery” whose “faith in his fellow humans” was extraordinary.
Before his career in tribal leadership, Stevens was an accomplished athlete. In 1975, at age 16, he co-founded the Soaring Eagle Boxing Club in Oneida with renowned boxer Louie Askinette. He was a four-time consecutive state heavyweight champion from 1976-1979 and a two-time National Heavyweight Champion in 1977 and 1978.
Stevens earned multiple honors throughout his career. He was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2008, the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012, and became a Lifetime Member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium's Alumni Association in 2013. In 2015, he was inducted into the American Gaming Association's Gaming Hall of Fame.
Mark Powless, chairman of the Oneida Gaming Commission, honored Stevens in August, saying: “From the boxing ring to the boardroom, in his career, he has demonstrated strength, vision, and resilience that uplift tribal communities nationwide. His leadership has advanced tribal gaming and empowered tribal governments.”
Stevens received an associate's degree from Haskell Indian Junior College in 1983, a bachelor's in criminal justice from Mount Senario College in 1996, and a master's in management from the University of Phoenix in 2021, according to his bio on the North American Indigenous Athletics Association. Haskell University honors his legacy by hosting the annual Ernie Stevens, Jr. Classic basketball tournament.
He and his wife, Cheryl, were married for more than 45 years. Stevens leaves behind a transformational legacy in tribal sovereignty advocacy, youth mentorship, and economic development that helped secure billions in revenue for tribal communities across the nation.
Native News Online provided reporting to this story.
