New associate commissioners proposed for National Indian Gaming Commission

US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has proposed the appointments of Sharon Avery and Jeannie Hovland as associate commissioners to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).

Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan and currently serves as associate general counsel for the NIGC’s Office of General Counsel. Prior to joining the NIGC, she worked in the legal department of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan for ten years.

Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and currently serves as vice chair of the NIGC. Since joining the commission, she has worked collaboratively to consult with Tribes for the promulgation of regulations and to coordinate the agency's regulatory responsibilities with Tribal regulatory authorities.

Prior to joining the NIGC, she served as commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, and held roles at the Interior Department as well as in the office of South Dakota Senator John Thune.

“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that Tribes have the resources they need to exercise their Tribal sovereignty and support their communities,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Not only does gaming support Tribal economies, but the funding it generates also helps to support the vital services that Tribal Nations provide to their citizens - from language preservation to healthcare.

“Today’s appointments to the National Indian Gaming Commission will help ensure we continue to provide resources and support for an industry that remains one of the most significant sources of economic development in Indian Country.”

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act established the three-person NIGC in 1988 to support and promote Tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong Tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian lands.

The commission’s chair is appointed by the President and its two associate commissioners are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. All commission members serve three-year terms.

Appointments to the commission will be finalized following a required 30-day public comment period.