Congratulations to senior advisor Ken Bellmard, a member of the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, on his unanimous appointment to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors. Ken has been devoted to the sport of wrestling since his youth, achieving an undefeated season, a state championship and a place on Oklahoma’s All-State team in high school, then going on to further success at the collegiate level. As a wrestling coach for junior high and high school athletes, Ken led one team to a state championship and another to second in state.

At Dentons Ken has wrestled different sorts of challenges for his clients, but with the same tenacity and success. Representing the Tonkawa tribe, the Miami tribe and the Miami-Modoc tribal joint venture, Ken negotiated the first three federally approved Class III gaming compacts between Native American tribes and the state of Oklahoma. He also negotiated a Class III compact for the Otoe-Missouria tribe and was involved in the federal approval of a Class III compact between the Comanche and the state of Oklahoma.

Ken also advises tribal clients on important economic ventures, including the development of renewable energy projects. He chaired the Indian Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2002, and was recognized by Best Lawyers in both Gaming Law and Native American Law in 2018–2019.

Ken is a member of the Kaw Nation and has held several important roles for the tribe, including director of government relations and chief operating officer. In addition, he served on the Kaw Nation’s Cultural Committee and was drumkeeper for the Kaw I-Lon-Shka ceremonial dances.