Navajo lawyer named chair of Washington gaming commission

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Chris Stearns. Photo by Al Garman

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Chris Stearns, a member of the Navajo Nation, has been elected to serve as chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission.

Stearns, an attorney, is the first Native American to hold the post. He has served on the commission since June 2013.

Stearns has had a long career in Indian issues. He serves as counsel to Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, an Indian law firm.

Previously, Stearns was a staffer on the House Natural Resources Committee, where he worked on Indian legislation. He also was the first director of Indian Affairs at the Energy Department.