The National Congress of American Indians pays tribute to the late Ernie Stevens, Jr., the longtime chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.

Stevens was a citizen of the Oneida Nation from Wisconsin. He passed away on September 26, 2025. He was 66 years old.

"Ernie was a tireless advocate for tribal nations," NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr., a citizen of the Ponca Tribe, said on September 29, 2025.

"He was a bridge builder whose leadership elevated Indian Country and whose generosity lifted up so many of us," Wright said.

"We lost a warrior and diplomat on Friday in Ernie Stevens, Jr.," said NCAI President Mark Macarro, the chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians.

Wright and Macarro spoke at the beginning of a webinar hosted by NCAI to discuss the looming shutdown of the federal government.