The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has announced the reappointment of Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland and new appointment of Associate General Counsel Sharon Avery as Associate Commissioners, effective immediately. Each had their appointments proposed by Secretary of the Interior for NIGC Deb Haaland on March 25.
Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and has been with the NIGC since 2021. Prior to joining the NIGC, she worked with the Administration for Children and Families at the US Department of Health and Human Services. There she served as Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs.
She worked nearly 13 years in the office of Senator John Thune in South Dakota where she assisted with important legislation such as the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008. This will be her second appointed term as NIGC Associate Commissioner.
“I am truly honored to be appointed to serve on the Commission for a second term. I look forward to collaboration between the Agency and tribal nations, as we continue our important work to meet the ever-changing landscape of the tribal gaming industry,” Hovland said.
Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. She has been with the NIGC for over four years, working in the Office of General Counsel.
Before joining the NIGC, Avery served for more than 10 years in the Legal Department for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Most recently, she served as General Counsel for Tribal Operations.
“It is with great privilege that I accept this appointment as an Associate Commissioner with the NIGC. I am excited to be a part of the continued work between the agency and tribes within the framework of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to ensure the continued integrity of Indian gaming,” Avery said.
Both Hovland and Avery have been appointed for three-year terms.
