Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), Deb Haaland, this week announced new members of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). 

"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," said Haaland.

According to the DOI announcement, Sharon Avery, an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, and Jeannie Hovland, an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota are set to join as new members. The appointments are subject to a 30-day public comment period before finalization.

On February 20, it was announced that Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer would resign from his position at NIGC effective February 24. A bulletin released by NIGC on February 25 outlined the commission's future plans.

According to the bulletin, Chairman Simermeyer delegated the authority of the chair to Hovland, who was then Vice Chair. Hovland also assumed the authorities to issue temporary closures and proposed civil fine assessments for violation of regulations and approved tribal gaming ordinances.

The National Indian Gaming Commission, a three-member board established in 1988, promotes Tribal economic development and strengthens Tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Tribal lands. 

According to its website, the NIGC was created following the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988. The commission comprises three full-time members: a chair appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and two associate commissioners appointed by the Secretary of DOI. 

The commission's responsibilities include regulation and monitoring of Indian gaming, coordination with tribal regulatory agencies, providing training and technical assistance with those tribal regulatory agencies among others.