Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair and CEO Stephanie Bryan Visits Rotary
This week the Rotary Club of Birmingham welcomed Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Bryan traced the tribe’s history from poverty to prosperity, as the only federally-recognized tribe in the state of Alabama and one of the few east of the Mississippi River remaining on its ancestral lands. She highlighted the success of more than 50 diversified Poarch businesses, including Wind Creek Hospitality, PCI Aviation, Muskogee Technology, and Media Fusion. Bryan discussed how gaming revenues have enabled the tribe to become self-sufficient over the past 50 years, dramatically improving the quality of life of community members through the funding of tribal government and essential services such as healthcare, education, police and fire protection, and infrastructure. Recent investments include an on-reservation health clinic, assisted living facility, community center, cultural department and education department.
Bryan shared the challenge she faced in deciding to finance the construction of the first Wind Creek hotel and casino in 2007 on what had been a cotton field in Atmore, Alabama at a time when the tribe had no debt. The success of the venture spurred the tribe to develop Wind Creek properties in Wetumpka, AL; Montgomery, AL; Pennsylvania, PA; Aruba and Curacao.
“We built it and they came,” Bryan said. “We had faith in a dream that we could bring something special to our community while creating jobs that would support families.”
Bryan applauded Muskogee Technology, which was recently named 2021 Small Manufacturer of the Year by the Business Council of Alabama and Alabama Technology Institute, for the company’s ability to pivot operations to provide PPE to healthcare professionals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bryan explained the tribe’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and funding for college and career training not only for tribal members, but the surrounding area as well, supporting the local hospital and helping to establish Escambia County High School’s Career Academy of IT and Escambia Country Middle School’s Robotics program.
“We are Alabama natives and Alabama neighbors. We don’t limit our giving to communities where we do business because charity is not a transaction, it is a chance for transformation. We know what it’s like not to have enough at critical times. And we understand the grace that comes with finding help at the front door. For us, gaming has afforded us the chance to become self-sufficient, grow at home, have enough that we can give generously and step up and step in at times of critical need.”
Bryan also discussed the tribe’s support for efforts to enact a comprehensive gaming plan for Alabama to limit gaming to licensed, regulated facilities.
“We know how regulated gaming businesses can fund essential services, provide emergency relief, give our children access to quality education, ensure that our families are safe and have access to healthcare. We know from first-hand experience what gaming done right can do for Alabama.”