94 Navajo Gaming Team Members Honored for Employee Milestones
85 Percent of 1,200 Gaming Team Members Are Navajo
(Flagstaff, AZ – May 2025) – The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) has honored 94 of its total 1,200 team members for reaching significant employment milestones including 15, 10 and 5 years of service for the enterprise. The event at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Ariz. showcased the impact and journey of each hard-working team member, with a special highlight for 14 employees that have served for 15 years.
Less than 20 years after Navajo Gaming was created by the Navajo Nation and charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation, the gaming enterprise created over 8,272 direct, indirect and induced jobs with an overall economic output of nearly 2 billion dollars.
“Navajo Gaming employs 1,200 people, 85 percent of whom are Navajo citizens and 90 percent that are Native American,” shared John James Navajo Gaming’s CEO. “No other tribal entity that is in gaming and business has that high of a percentage. Our properties are a vital part of the community and provide high-quality jobs, stability and hope for 1,200 families on the Reservation and across New Mexico and Northern Arizona, while our invitation to stay, play and relax at one of our four properties or Travel Center is open to all travelers and guests.”
Additional Navajo Gaming Economic and Cultural Impacts include:
- Each properties’ dining venues feature “Navajo Beef,” and traditional Navajo cuisine
- Navajo contractors built the largely rural casinos and connected utilities and water lines
- Navajo artisans supply the gift shops
- Navajo Gaming participates in a government-wide initiative to promote education as a means of creating economic development and opportunity on the reservation including tuition reimbursement programs
- Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort houses the world’s largest collection of Navajo Art
Team members recognized for 15 years of services have worked their way up to a wide variety of position within Navajo Gaming’s accounting, marketing, maintenance, and culinary teams. Some team members wish to keep a low profile, but below are most of the 15-year team members honored at the event:
- Cecilia Au
- Roger Boone Jr
- Eugene Charley
- Michael Comeaux
- Daphne Etsitty
- Karl Jim
- Vernon Joe
- Jymn Mariano
- Michae Owens
- Joann Smith
- Dereka Thompson
- Carmelita Tracy
- Mary West
- Alfreda Williams
“We have Navajo team members at all levels of our enterprise including executives and board members, not just hourly positions,” James added. “Additionally, due to our geographic size, we have team members that drive anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours to work each day because we focus on their well-being, offer high quality jobs at market-rate pay, and incredible benefits for every role at every level, whether you’re a cleaner or director.”
To learn more visit www.NavajoGaming.com
About The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming):
Navajo Gaming is a Navajo Nation wholly owned business entity created by the Navajo Nation in September 2006 to develop and operate Navajo casinos in New Mexico and Arizona.
Employing more than 1,200 employees, NNGE operates four casinos and a travel plaza in New Mexico and Arizona, opening its first property, the Fire Rock Navajo Casino near Gallup, New Mexico, in November 2008. Within five years, additional properties were added, including the Flowing Water Navajo Casino (October 2010); Northern Edge Navajo Casino (January 2012); Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort (May 2013); and the Navajo Blue Travel Plaza (September 2020). To learn more about Navajo Gaming visit www.NavajoGaming.com
Navajo Gaming is one of many Navajo Nation-owned and operated enterprises that is charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation.
