Feb. 7, 2017 – On Feb. 1, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and their enterprise, Casino Del Sol, was recognized with a first-place honor for their Employee Tribal Cultural program at the Tribal Spirit of Giving Awards ceremony during Raving’s 19th annual Indian Gaming National Marketing Conference.

The Tribal Spirit of Giving Awards recognize Tribal organizations and their history of uncommon generosity and support to their Native and non-Native communities. These prestigious awards highlight the acts of giving that Tribal casinos and governments have done on behalf of their communities, employees, and customers.
“This award reflects the commitment to community and culture that is so important to Casino Del Sol and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe,” said Kimberly Van Amburg, CEO of Casino Del Sol. “To be recognized for something that we hold so dear to our hearts is a source of great pride for our organization, and is the reason we call ourselves the Sol of Tucson.”

Each year since Casino Del Sol opened, more than 22 years ago, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe has implemented an Employee Tribal Cultural Program. For four days during the week of Easter, all casino and Tribal operations are closed, to allow the more than 1,500 employees to participate in the Pascua Yaqui Lenten and Easter ceremonies. The Tribe also pays all employees during this time off, allowing them to spend this time with family and friends without worry of financial hardship. This closure allows employees to focus on their cultural festivities without having to choose between their work responsibilities and cultural responsibilities.

In addition to the Easter ceremonies, Casino Del Sol also offers time off to employees to participate in important non-Lenten cultural ceremonies, such as honoring a passed on loved one, or celebrating other cultural holidays.

In the nearly 23 years of this program, Casino Del Sol has sacrificed revenue and paid out more than 500,000 man hours during the Easter holiday. Additionally, more than 250,000 man hours have been paid out for other cultural ceremonies. This is over and above the traditional paid time off most other companies provide, and truly shows Casino Del Sol’s appreciation to their employees.