Addison Lenhart
ICT
One of the most well-known Native youth organizations in the country is making sure the legacy of Ernie Stevens Jr. is carried on.
NABI Nation, at its most recent Annual Founders Golf Classic in April, announced the event will be known as the Ernie Stevens, Jr. Memorial Golf Classic going forward.
Stevens Jr. died in September 2025 and impacted countless Native lives. He was a foundational figure in the organization, formerly serving as NABI Board Chairman; as well as the chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.
“Renaming this tournament in honor of Ernie Stevens, Jr. reflects the profound impact he had on NABI and on Native youth across the country,” NABI President and Co-Founder GinaMarie Scarpa said in a press release. “Ernie believed deeply in creating opportunities for our young people, not just in sports but in life. He showed up, he gave back, and he inspired generations. This is our way of ensuring his legacy continues to guide and uplift the next generation of leaders.”
Stevens played an instrumental role in the growth and sustained success of NABI since its founding in 2003.
“We started in 2003 and from the very first year he was able to embrace the vision,”Scarpa said. “He was very influential and could understand what we were trying to do. He got the vision right away and was by our side ever since.”
Scarpa sought the guidance of Stevens Jr. when she originally founded NABI, due to Stevens influence in tribal communities and his dedication to uplifting Native youth.
“I don’t think NABI would have lasted without his guidance, his experience, his wisdom, his leadership,” Scarpa said. “He brought the understanding that we needed to hear.”
The name change further reflects not just Stevens dedication to uplifting Native communities, but also to the event itself.
“He loved NABI golf, he would always do the introduction,” Scarpa said. “This is a man whose schedule was packed A-Z all year round, but he showed up for our kids and made himself available, so the name change for us was a decision that was a no-brainer.”
Not only will Stevens continue to be honored through the golf classic, he’ll be recognized throughout this year and July’s Native American Basketball Invitational tournament as well.
“This year’s uniforms for NABI have his name and his college number on it, so each player will wear those,” Scarpa said. “We started the Ernie Stevens Legacy Scholarship this year so we’ll be giving away two $5,000 scholarships and that will continue every year.”
Proceeds from the golf classic will continue to fund the Ernie Stevens, Jr. Legacy Basketball Court, and go towards providing further scholarship opportunities for native youth through NABI nation.
“The kids’ lives that he touched over the last 23 years at NABI, I’m never going to forget them,” Scarpa said. “I think they learned a lot from him because he was such a powerful leader, but at the same time he was gentle.”