Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Bernadine Burnette was honored last week as a “Woman Warrior” by the National Indian Gaming Association during the group’s annual tradeshow and convention in the San Diego Convention Center.

She joined six other female leaders from tribes across the nation – and was the only Arizona honoree.

Considered as the sacred givers of life in Native culture, women play powerful roles not only in leadership but in life and the heart of their traditional communities.

“Our women are our strength and our resilience and ensure our future,” said Ernie Stevens, Jr., National Indian Gaming Association chairman.

“These great Women leaders have without a doubt been strong leaders for not only the tribal communities they represent, but are the greatest example of leaders who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of tribal government gaming and economic diversification, serving as example for all of Indian country.”

Elected president of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in 2016, Burnette previously served for more than two decades as a tribal council member, holding prior positions of secretary and vice president.

She has served as vice president of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association and secretary of the National Indian Gaming Association, with current and past memberships in the National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Education Association, and National Tribal Environmental Council.

Burnette was honored as “Woman of the Year” by former Arizona Gov. Jane Hull and recognized by the Arizona Republic newspaper for her leadership as one of then-only seven female Native American tribal presidents.

She also was named “Indian Gaming Advocate of the Year” by the National Indian Gaming Association in 2012 for her work to preserve gaming rights.