Ponca Tribe and BancFirst set to establish relationship with sights set on the future
THE PONCA Tribe and BancFirst have signed an agreement for collaboration for future economic endeavors in Indian Gaming and beyond. Members of several committees were involved including the following: Ponca Business Committee members: Oliver Littlecook Chairman, Robert Collins Vice Chairman, Carla Carney Secretary Treasurer, Matilda Delagarza, Leota White, Deborah Margerum, Earl Howe are BC Members present. Ponca Enterprise Gaming Board members: Daniel Sherron Chairman, Carla Carney Vice ChairWoman, Matilda Delagarza Secretary Treasurer, Sache Primeaux Shaw, William Kemble (not pictured), Chris Littlecook, and Oliver Littlecook are members. Ponca Tribal Corporation board: Chris Littlecook Chairman, Dan Jones Vice Chairman, Diana Fitzpatrick Secretary Treasurer (not pictured), Hauli Gray (not pictured), and Oliver Littlecook. (Photo by Calley Lamar)
The Ponca Tribe, through its subsidiary Ponca Enterprise Gaming (PEG), announces their forthcoming collaboration with the Oklahoma banking institution BancFirst. On May 26, 2023, leaders of the Ponca Tribe and BancFirst signed the first of what the tribe hopes is one of many future agreements that allows the tribe to further its economic endeavors in Indian Gaming and beyond.
In September of 2020 and after a long hiatus from Indian Gaming, Ponca Enterprise Gaming commissioned the opening of the Fancy Dance Casino, located at the junction of interstates 412 and I-35 near the City of Perry. The Fancy Dance Casino was a collaborative project between the Ponca Tribe and Global Gaming Solutions (GGS), a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation. Opening at the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic proved difficult in the initial days of the operation, but over time, the Fancy Dance Casino has proven to be a successful operation and developed a healthy following of clientele with many guests remarking on the cleanliness and hospitality endeared to the establishment. The Ponca Tribe was also able to offer improvements to the immediate area and completed a 1.5 mile paving project of county roads to improve accessibility for both patrons and area residents.
Daniel Sherron, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ponca Enterprise Gaming, says the following, “While we are incredibly appreciative of the relationship established with GGS and all the work completed in the opening of our establishment, the Ponca Enterprise Gaming Board, and subsequently the Ponca Tribe, are ready to embark on a relationship with a local banking institution that is committed to our continued development and expansion of our Fancy Dance Casino property and future projects. After reviewing multiple proposals from a variety of institutions, we look forward to working with BancFirst to continue on with our success and we are pleased to partner with an entity that shares our vision for investing in our people and community”.
Oliver LittleCook Sr., Chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma shares the following; “The Ponca People look forward to continued success in our new relationship with BancFirst. Already, the Fancy Dance Casino property has been able to aid the tribe with investments to our workforce, burial fund, and cultural initiatives that benefit all of our tribal members. This collaboration with BancFirst, I am confident will move us into a new era of gaming and expansion and we look forward to our future development opportunities. We thank Banc-First as well as all of our casino employees, who work daily to make Fancy Dance Casino a success.”
Jared Grell, President of BancFirst-Blackwell, says “BancFirst is honored to partner with the Ponca Tribe in their enterprise operations. It has been their cultural tradition of focus on community that has sustained them across the generations. Today, it is their commitment to their people that drives their entrepreneurial pursuits. We understand that loyalty and view this business relationship as a true commitment to their tribe to continue their self-determination in providing for their citizens.”
The Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribal nation located in North Central Oklahoma with headquarters in White Eagle, Oklahoma and boasts over 4,000 tribal members.