J. Kurt Luger
Executive Director, Great Plains Indian Gaming Association (GPIGA)
J. Kurt Luger is currently the Executive Director of the Great Plains Indian
Gaming Association (GPIGA), as well as the North Dakota Indian Gaming Association
in Bismarck, North Dakota. Mr. Luger also serves on the National Indian Gaming
Association, and the United Tribes Technical College Executive Board. He has
over 18 years of experience working with such organizations as the National Congress
of American Indians (NCAI) and the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)
regarding tribal rights and gaming issues. He is considered to be an expert
in the field of tribal gaming issues and has been called to testify to congress
on the National and State levels. One item that drew national attention was
when the GPIGA collectively renegotiated the five gaming compacts in North Dakota
in 1999. He has received several awards for his commitment, including the prestigious
Roger Jordaine Award.
Mr. Luger has a strong history of effective management of tribal programs
at Cheyenne River Sioux, where he is an enrolled member, as well as the Quinault
Indian Nation, Taholah, Washington where he was Chief of Staff.
Mr. Luger is married to Melanie Johnson Luger, a member of Mandan, Hidatsa,
and Arikara Nation. Mr. Luger has four children, Skylie, Coulee, Jordan, and
Nicodemus. He is a lifelong horseman from a ranching background, and participant
in rodeo and horse racing. |
