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Aristocrat Gaming, a leading gaming provider, has taken a landmark step towards investing in the future workforce of the gaming industry, by making a significant donation to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
AISES and The RISE Fund
The donation from Aristocrat will serve as a cornerstone for the Resources for Indigenous STEM Education (RISE) Fund, an initiative designed to bolster science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and career opportunities for Indigenous students and professionals. The initiative aims to provide these individuals with the necessary resources and programming to help them integrate into the gaming industry.
Aristocrat’s contribution will also fund scholarships, internships, and various workplace development opportunities, thus fostering a more inclusive and diverse industry. This is particularly significant in the context of the gaming industry, where popular digital payment solutions like PayPal and Skrill are frequently used.
Sarah EchoHawk, AISES President expressed her appreciation for Aristocrat’s involvement saying, “Our relationship with Aristocrat Gaming is one of mutual respect and shared goals. Their commitment to enhance Indigenous representation in STEM is extraordinary. By engaging the gaming industry, we can bring about real, tangible change.”
The Impact and Future Plans
AISES currently supports 20 students pursuing Casino Gaming degrees across the United States through its scholarship fund. Aristocrat’s contribution only cements this support further.
In addition to their initial donation, Aristocrat Gaming also plans to provide an additional $30,000 for the annual AISES conference events. James Starr, President of VGT, an Aristocrat Gaming company, said, “Our relationship with AISES spans over six years. We are thrilled to further invest in our future workforce, opening up access to STEM education and career opportunities for Indigenous peoples.”
This announcement comes closely after a recent report that revealed tribal gaming revenue reached a record-breaking $40.9bn in FY2022. This emphasizes the growing importance of ensuring a diverse and inclusive industry, not only for its economic impact but also for the potential to uplift communities. The collaboration between AISES and Aristocrat Gaming is a significant step towards this goal.
AISES is already looking ahead to the future, planning on introducing new initiatives that will focus on developing Indigenous youth in science and technology. The organization also plans to launch a Coding Program for Native students, which could potentially kickstart meaningful careers in STEM fields.
