W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council chairman since 1977 and as chief executive officer since 1982, was honored with the Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award in recognition of his lifetime accomplishments on behalf of Native Americans at The Wendell Chino Humanitarian Awards Banquet, held March 30-April 2 in San Diego, Calif.

The banquet is the National Indian Gaming Association’s most prestigious event and honors the legacy of longtime president Wendell Chino of the Mescalero Apache Nation, who spent his life protecting tribal sovereignty and advancing Indian self-governance.

Presenting the award to Allen (center) is Wendell Chino’s son Mark Chino, left, and Gary Davis, the banquet’s master of ceremonies and president and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

“Advocating for Indian Country is something we do and there’s a lot behind what we do as warriors on behalf of our people,” Allen said at the banquet. “Whether it’s in Washington, D.C., state capitols or anywhere else, we are championing our interests … It’s been a great journey and a pleasure. I look forward to continuing this journey as we continue to fight each of these fights and move our agendas forward. I am very honored.”