Memorial services for long-time Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest L. Stevens Jr. will be held Friday, Oct. 3 in Oneida, Wisconsin.
Stevens died suddenly on Sept. 26 on the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin at 66 years old.
The Indian Gaming Association released details of the memorial and funeral services on Tuesday.
Services will be held on Stevens’ home reservation, the Oneida Nation in northeastern Wisconsin, west of Green Bay.
Friday, October 3: Public memorial service
The public memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. Central Time at the Turtle School, located at Oneida Elementary School, N7125 Seminary Road, 12 miles from downtown Green Bay and 4 miles from the Green Bay International Airport.
An evening speaker program will begin at 7 p.m. Central Time.
Saturday, October 4: Funeral services
The following day, Oct. 4, Stevens’ funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Central Time.
The funeral procession will begin at the Longhouse on W370 Reformatory Rd in Oneida and move to the Sacred Ground Burial Grounds, West Adam Drive.
Finally, the funeral will begin at the Oneida Civic Center, 2913 Artley Street following the procession and burial.
Public attendance
Members of the public are invited to both of these events to honor Stevens’ memory, IGA stated in a news release.
“Chairman Stevens dedicated more than two decades of his life to protecting and advancing tribal sovereignty through tribal government gaming,” IGA said in the Sept. 30 press release. “Under his leadership, Indian gaming flourished, growing from $11 billion in revenues in 2000 to a record $43.9 billion in 2024, making tribal government gaming the largest segment of the U.S. gaming industry.”
Stevens, a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, was widely respected as a national leader, bridge-builder and advocate for all of Indian Country. Stevens worked tirelessly to elevate the Indian Gaming Association into one of the most effective voices on Capitol Hill all while working with Congress, tribal leaders and federal agencies.