Oneida Nation Mourns Passing of Ernie Stevens Jr., Former Councilman and Gaming Leader

Oneida Nation mourns passing of Ernie Stevens Jr., former councilman and gaming leader

The Oneida Nation is mourning the passing of Ernie Stevens Jr., a former councilman and Indian Gaming Association chairman who also promoted protecting Native American sovereignty.

Indian Gaming Association chair Ernest Stevens, Jr dies at 66

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) announced Friday evening that its longtime chairman, Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., died suddenly earlier in the day. He was 66.  Stevens’ son Brandon Yellowbird-Stevens also announced Stevens’ unexpected passing in a Facebook post.  Stevens was a member of the Oneida Nation, located in Northeast Wisconsin. As chairman of the IGA for more than 20 years, he worked to advance tribal government gaming and strengthen tri…