Sharon M. Avery has been named acting chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), whose seat has been vacant since the beginning of the year.
Avery, an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and with NIGC for four years, was recently appointed to a three-year term as associate commissioner by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
She will fill both rules until the president appoints, and the Senate confirms, a permanent chairman. The acting chair has the same legal authority as an appointee confirmed by the Senate.
Avery said in a statement: “I am humbled the administration has entrusted me with the distinguished opportunity to serve as the NIGC Acting Chair. In this capacity, and to the best of my abilities, I will diligently execute my duties and responsibilities designated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to continue the Agency’s regulatory oversight of tribal gaming facilities without disruption, until a permanent Chair has been confirmed.”
