National Indian Gaming Commission Requests Consultation With The

United Southern and Eastern Tribes

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC, January 12, 2004 - National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Phil Hogen announced the Commission is scheduling consultation meetings with the United Southern and Eastern Tribes (USET) during the Annual USET Impact Week Meeting on February 4 - 5, 2004.

"The Commission has worked to address a number of regulatory and budgetary issues to modernize and stabilize our business operation," said Chairman Hogen. "Meaningful consultation will help us as we proceed in this important effort. Tribes must be involved in this process."

In addition to the consultation, the MGC will also conduct two training seminars during the USET Training Program. The first session will provide an Overview of NIGC Environment, Public Health and Safety Interpretive Rule, and Implementation; the second session will cover Use of Indian Lands for Gaming and Characteristics of Class I1 Games under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. These seminars are available for tribal government leaders, gaming commissioners and regulators, and tribal gaming managers and staff.

Tribes interested in scheduling a consultation meeting with the NIGC must complete a form available on-line at www.nigc.gov.  This form should be returned to Rita Homa at the NIGC by fax at 202-632-0045 or by mail at 1441 L Street, N.W., Suite 9100, Washington, D.C., 20005.

The National Indian Gaming Commission 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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