President Biden Announces Nomination of Patrice Kunesh as NIGC Chair

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August 13, 2024


TO: Indian Gaming Association Member Tribes

FROM: Ernest L. Stevens Jr., Chairman
Jason Giles, Executive Director

RE: President Biden Announces Nomination of Patrice Kunesh as NIGC Chair

DATE: August 13, 2024

On July 23, 2024, President Biden announced the nomination of Patrice Kunesh as Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (“NIGC”) for a three-year term. Ms. Kunesh’s nomination follows the expiration of Sequoyah Simermeyer’s three-year term as Chair. Upon forthcoming confirmation by the Senate, Ms. Kunesh will assume the responsibilities of NIGC Chair. We encourage all member tribes to contact The Senate Indian Affairs Committee to quickly schedule a confirmation hearing for Ms. Kunesh.
Ms. Kunesh’s nomination comes after a period of interim leadership at the NIGC. Following the expiration of Ms. Simermeyer’s term as Chair, the NIGC announced the appointment of Associate Commissioner Sharon Avery as Acting Chair, effective May 15, 2024. Ms. Avery, who previously served as an Associate General Counsel for the NIGC from January 2020, was appointed Associate Commissioner by Secretary Haaland in May of 2024. As Acting Chair, Ms. Avery was granted the same statutory authority to lead the NIGC and take official actions as a Senate-confirmed Chair. She will continue to serve as both Acting Chair and Associate Commissioner until Ms. Kunesh is confirmed by the Senate.
Ms. Kunesh was previously nominated by President Biden to serve as Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans, an office within the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She was confirmed by the Senate on March 8, 2023, and has served as Commissioner since. In her current role as Commissioner, she serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs and as Chair of the HHS Intradepartmental Council on Native American Affairs. She is expected to continue her role in these capacities until her forthcoming confirmation by the Senate as NIGC Chair. 
This news alert was published on the White House website and may be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/07/23/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-152/.
A letter urging Senator Schatz, Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to quickly hold a confirmation hearing for Ms. Kunesh is attached for your consideration. Please contact Danielle Her Many Horses at dhermanyhorses@indiangaming.org with any questions or concerns regarding this Alert.
Download Draft Letter Here