Biography

National Indian Gaming Commission

VICE-CHAIR

JEANNIE HOVLAND

Jeannie Hovland (Flandreau Santee Sioux) is Vice-Chair of the National Indian 

Gaming Commission (NIGC). As such, she is responsible for regulating and 

ensuring the integrity of the more than 500 Indian gaming facilities, associated with 

over 250 tribes across 29 states. She served as the OSR Director from May 2021 

through July 2023. Hovland began her three-year term at the agency on January 17, 

2021, after being appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.

Before joining NIGC, Hovland served as Commissioner of the Administration for 

Native Americans providing oversight of a $57 million annual operating budget to 

promote self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, 

and Pacific Islanders. Hovland oversaw discretionary grants that support social and 

economic development, Native language restoration and revitalization, and 

environmental regulatory enhancement. Hovland created the Social and Economic 

Development Strategies for Growing Organizations program, which provides 

funding to strengthen internal governance structures and build capacity for tribes 

and tribal organizations. She also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native 

American Affairs at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a $58 

billion operating division under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Hovland provided expert and 

culturally appropriate advice to the Assistant Secretary in formulation of policy, positions, and strategies affecting 

Native Americans.

Hovland chaired the HHS Secretary’s Intradepartmental Council on Native American Affairs (ICNAA), serving as an 

advisor to the Secretary, addressing issues of importance to tribal communities through partnerships with all of HHS 

departments. Hovland helped bring national awareness to the crisis of Missing and Murdered Native American’s 

through her role on the ICNAA as well as through her participation on the Presidential Taskforce, Operation Lady 

Justice. Under Hovland’s leadership, as chair of the ACF Native American Affairs Advisory Committee, comprised of 

ACF leadership and in partnership with the ACF Tribal Advisory Committee, the ACF Missing and Murdered Native 

Americans - A Public Health Framework for Action was published in October 2020.

In her previous role as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, 

Hovland provided strategic recommendations to the Assistant Secretary on issues related to land leases, access to 

quality water, land into trust status, and energy and economic development issues.

Hovland’s extensive knowledge and experience on Indian Affairs includes her many years serving Native American 

communities in South Dakota where she worked for Senator John Thune for nearly 13 years. As Tribal Affairs Advisor, 

Hovland dedicated most of her time in the communities as she believes in community-driven solutions. During that 

time, Hovland was able to provide input on important legislation such as the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Code 

Talkers Recognition Act of 2008.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act created the National Indian Gaming Commission to support tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming. 

NIGC oversees the efficient regulation of more than 500 gaming establishments operated by 250 tribes across 29 states.

Updated 9/6/2023