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Washington, D.C. - The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) joins family, friends and colleagues to mourn the death of Susan Wilbur, Vice Chairwoman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington State. Wilbur died in a local hospital on Thursday, Jan. 29, following a series of strokes.

Among her many distinctions, Wilbur was the first American Indian in the state to be elected to a school board. At the time of her death, she had served for two decades on the Tribal Senate and the La Connor, Wash., School Board, where she was currently President. She also was director of the Tribe's day care center. Her other activities included work with Skagit System Cooperative, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the Swinomish Gaming Commission.

"Susan's passing is a major loss not only for her own community - Indian and non-Indian --, but also to all of Indian Country," said NIGA Chairman Ernest L. Stevens, Jr. "Anyone who knew Susan knew her to be a person with great love for her family and Tribe, and as having a passionate and lifelong commitment to helping anyone in need - she will be greatly missed by all."

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The National Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit trade association comprised of 184 American Indian Nations and other non-voting associate members. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people - economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.