Merry Christmas To All!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

- The Gospel According To St. Luke

Metlakatla Decision Is Dangerous To Oklahoma Tribes!

I have attached a link to the two part story published by Indian Country Today.

I Want to thank the editors of ICT for their interest and support of Oklahoma Indian Gaming!

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096417807

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096417786

Native American Finance Officers Association

The NFOA'S

26^th Annual Conference for Indian Country is being held at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, on Sept. 3-4, 2008. NAFOA's 26^th Annual Conference will feature in-depth discussions on: coping with the economy; facility and infrastructure financing; investment and real estate opportunities; energy frontiers and cost savings; retirement benefits and per caps; sovereignty and governance; women in financial leadership; financial literacy; gaming; technology assets; and securities protection. In addition, you will get up-to-the-minute information on: IRS issues; operational accounting and reporting; performance measurement; audits and audit quality; GASB; and indirect costs. This conference offers you the opportunity to earn up to 12 CPE credits, and you will receive a one year membership to NAFOA with your attendance. NAFOA anticipates over 400 people in attendance and there will be a number of networking opportunities as well. Here is a link to the conference information and agenda: NAFOA 26^th Annual Conference - Sept. 3-4 - Chicago and AGENDA.

NAFOA has been presenting finance conferences for the benefit of Tribal governments and members of their finance teams since 1982. NAFOA is a not-for-profit association governed by an all-Native Board of Directors, and all proceeds from its events go back into the operation of the organization, its efforts to help shape government and accounting policies, and various social programs to benefit Tribal members. NAFOA operates year-round to help members – Tribal and corporate alike – make business contacts and acquire valuable resources to aid their financial efforts.

NAFOA's 25^th Annual Conference, "The Wall Street Summit", held last September, was an outstanding success. Two days of conference discussions culminated with eight Native Americans ringing the opening bell at the New York Mercantile Exchange, with over 100 Tribal Representatives cheering them on. Their Spring Conference in March, saw the launch of their Financial Leadership Awards, which honored a number of Tribes in an effort to inspire other tribes to "think big and work smart". Please click on these links Indian Country Today 9-13-07 and Indian Country Today 4-21-08 to read about these past events. In addition, their website is http://www.nafoa.org/ where you can view member Tribes and firms, as well as other information about the association.

NAFOA hopes you will be able to join them in Chicago. Please feel free to contact their Program Coordinator, Christina Morbelli, at 602.466.8697 or christina@nafoa.org. If you would like to register, here is a link to the REGISTRATION FORM.

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Important Update!

NIGC Sets Aside Class II Classification, Definition Regulations

Oklahoma City, OK June 5, 2008 —National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Philip N. Hogen announced today that NIGC is putting aside what have become the more controversial portions of the four-part package of Class II gaming regulations proposed October 2007. Speaking at the Oklahoma Sovereignty Symposium in Oklahoma City, Hogen explained that the package was intended to draw a "bright line" between equipment tribes may use for uncompacted "Class II" gaming, such as bingo, and equipment used for "Class III" gaming, such as slot machines, which requires Tribal compacts with States. The NIGC, Hogen said, will now consider only Technical Standards and Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II gaming and will put aside the controversial proposals that would create a system for game classification as well as modify the definition of "facsimiles of any game of chance."

Due to their potential economic impact, the proposed regulations are considered "major rules," and therefore require a cost-benefit study, Hogen told attendees. This study is being prepared as to each of the four originally proposed regulations, with results expected by next month. At that point, the Commission may take action to finalize its proposals regarding the Technical and Minimum Internal Control Standards, he said.

Hogen also announced that the issue of what constitutes a Class II game continues to be before the Commission. The Metlakatla Indian Community of Metlakatla, Alaska, recently submitted an amendment to its Tribal Gaming Ordinance authorizing "onetouch" fully electronic bingo as Class II gaming. Hogen said that he had disapproved the amendment, finding that when bingo is played in a manner that permits a player to once push a button and do nothing else, that game no longer constitutes "bingo" or a "game similar to bingo" under IGRA and is a Class III electronic facsimile of a game of chance.

Hogen stated that the Tribe would now have the right to appeal his decision to the full Commission, and, if affirmed, to federal court. Taken together, Hogen explained, the Commission's focus on technical standards and minimum internal controls, and the possibility of further judicial clarification of games that tribes may use in the absence of Tribal-State compacts, would help achieve long-sought clarity, sooner, rather than later.

Chairman Hogen's disapproval letter can be found on the NIGC website at http://www.nigc.gov/

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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Support J.R. Matthews For NIGA Treasurer!

Oklahoma's own J.R. Matthews of the Quapaw Tribe has thrown his hat in the ring for the office of Treasurer of the National Indian Gaming Association.

J.R. has decided to be a candidate for this position currently held by our OIGA Past President Tracy Burris who has decided not to seek re-election. I want to thank Tracy for all of his dedication to Indian Gaming for all Oklahoma tribes.

J.R. is a longtime supporter of both NIGA and OIGA and will be a perfect choice for the position. I am happy to support J.R. Matthews for NIGA Treasurer and ask that you join me in supporting him this week in San Diego!

Thank You for your consideration and Good Luck J.R.

David Qualls
OIGA Chairman

Labor Relations Issues Discussed

Casino Management Should Be Wary of Employer
Penalties Under the NLRB

By: Geoffrey M. Standing Bear, OIGA General Counsel

Geoffrey Standing Bear, O.I.G.A. General Counsel, has presented an informative paper on these issues that face our members.

Please forward to all of your management personnel for their information.

Clink the link below to take you to the document.


http://www.okindiangaming.org/PDFs/NLRAEnforcmentissues.pdf

California lawmakers ask National Indian Gaming Commission to resist new Class II regulations

By David J. Qualls, Chairman O.I.G.A.


I had the opportunity to address the California Nevada Indian Gaming Associaion's Executive Board and General Assembly to ask for their assistance on the Class II Regulations issue.

Please read the article in the link below, and know that our friends in California have came to the aid of all the Class II gaming tribes across the nation.

I would like to thank CNIGA Chairman Anthony Miranda, and all the member tribes of CNIGA for their support of O.I.G.A.!

Desert Sun Article