Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), presented the Ho-Chunk Nation with more than 4,000 facemasks for safety during the COVID pandemic.
Stevens and NIGA Senior Administrative Assistant Ricky Granquist came to the Tribal Office Building on Tuesday, April 27, to offer the facemasks to President Marlon WhiteEagle on behalf of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Stevens also honored President WhiteEagle with the NIGA Badge of Honor pin, which he pinned onto WhiteEagle’s jacket lapel.
“We just want to help keep everyone safe during these times of health uncertainty,” Stevens said.
The facemasks were donated by famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar through his Skyhook Foundation. They were offered to NIGA to be distributed to the Native American tribes.
The masks, fabricated by the Ford Motor Company, will be distributed through Ho-Chunk facilities and programs.
