{"id":40940,"date":"2024-09-17T16:08:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T20:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=40940"},"modified":"2024-11-20T18:29:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T23:29:39","slug":"national-indian-gaming-commission-enters-new-era-under-president-biden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/17\/national-indian-gaming-commission-enters-new-era-under-president-biden\/","title":{"rendered":"National Indian Gaming Commission enters new era under President Biden"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Patrice<\/a>
Patrice Kunesh, Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, addresses the winter session of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C., on February 13, 2024. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
National Indian Gaming Commission enters new era under President Biden<\/div>\r\n
Tuesday, September 17, 2024<\/div>\r\n
By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe National Indian Gaming Commission<\/a> (NIGC), the federal agency that oversees the $41.9 billion tribal casino industry, could get a new leader for the first time since the Donald Trump era.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nOn July 23, President Joe Biden nominated Patrice H. Kunesh<\/a> to serve as chair of the NIGC. The action came more than four years after the U.S. Senate<\/a> confirmed the prior leader of the agency, one who had been chosen by Trump.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nBut even though Biden is on his way out of office, the Democratic president is getting a chance to leave his mark on the NIGC. Kunesh will go before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs<\/a> for her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, a big step forward in the nomination process.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cPatrice Kunesh’s nomination holds great potential for the Indian gaming industry and tribal economies,\u201d Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation<\/a>, said on August 6<\/a>. \u201cHer deep understanding of tribal issues and proven leadership will contribute significantly to the National Indian Gaming Commission\u2019s mission.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWe are optimistic that her appointment will have a profound impact on Indian Country and are eager to witness her leadership in this crucial role,\u201d said Butler, who serves as president of NAFOA<\/a>, the oldest and largest tribal finance organization.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nNAFOA isn’t the only tribal organization supporting Kunesh. The National Congress of American Indians<\/a> (NCAI) highlighted her “extensive background in tribal, state, and federal service” in an August 6 statement.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n“Patrice Kunesh\u2019s confirmation as Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission will mark a significant step forward in strengthening the governance and oversight of Indian gaming, fostering economic development, and enhancing the sovereignty and self-determination of Tribal Nations,” NCAI said<\/a> in the statement.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

\u201cWe at ACF are truly committed to tribal self-determination\u201d: Patrice Kunesh (Standing Rock), Commissioner of Administration for Native American Affairs, with Rebecca Gaston, Commissioner of Administration on Children, Youth and Families, @NCAI1944<\/a> #ECWS2024<\/a>. @ACFHHS<\/a> @ANA_ACFgov<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jWkpusFEm9<\/a><\/p>— indianz.com (@indianz) February 13, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>