Fawn Sharp
Sharp in 2019
President of the National Congress of American Indians
In office
October 24, 2019 – November 17, 2023
Preceded byJefferson Keel
Succeeded byMark Macarro
Personal details
Born (1970-05-20) May 20, 1970 (age 53)
Children4
EducationGonzaga University (BA)
University of Washington (JD)
Signature

Fawn Sharp (born May 20, 1970) is a Native American politician, attorney, and policy advocate who served as president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) from 2019 to 2023.[1] Prior to this position, Sharp served as president of the Quinault Indian Nation, as president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and as vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.

Sharp has also served in a variety of non-tribal governmental capacities, including as an administrative law judge at the Washington Department of Revenue, a governor of the Washington State Bar Association, and as one of Governor Gary Locke's appointed trustees for Grays Harbor College. Following the Cobell v. Salazar decision, Sharp was appointed by the United States Department of the Interior to serve as chair of the National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform.[2][3]

Early life and education

Sharp was born in Aberdeen, Washington.[4] Sharp graduated from Gonzaga University in 1990 at age 19,[5][6] and is a University of Washington School of Law 1995 alumna.[7] Following law school, Sharp has since received certificates from the University of Oxford and the University of Nevada.[8]

Career

Quinault Indian Nation President Fawn Sharp standing at the podium addressing the 2010 White House Tribal Nations Conference.

Opponents attempted to recall several Quinault officials in November 2015, resulting in the removal of the nation's vice president, but Sharp kept her position.[9][10] She was elected to her fourth term as Quinault president in March 2015.[11][12][13] The Quinault Nation hosted the Canoe Journey in 2013, during her third term.

In November 2023, unable to seek reelection due to term limits,[14] Sharp was succeeded by Mark Macarro, as president of the National Congress of American Indians.[15]

Diplomatic representative

Sharp was the first person issued diplomatic credentials as a tribal leader by the United States Department of State, representing the National Congress of American Indians at 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).[16]

References

  1. ^ Rickert, Levi (2023-11-13). "National Congress of American Indians 80th Convention Underway in New Orleans". Native News Online. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  2. ^ Commission biographies, U.S. Department of the Interior National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform, July 2015
  3. ^ Salazar names members to National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform (press release), U.S. Department of the Interior, November 30, 2011
  4. ^ "Ahead of the Curve | Fawn Sharp" (PDF). Washington Secretary of State's Office.
  5. ^ Richard Walker (November 11, 2012), "Quinault President, Fawn Sharp, Receives Highest Award From Gonzaga Alums", Indian Country Today
  6. ^ "Gonzaga alumni group gives Fawn Sharp its highest honor", The Daily World, Aberdeen, Washington, October 18, 2012[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ News and Events, University of Washington School of Law Native American Law Center, archived from the original on 2015-08-09
  8. ^ "Bios - Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform". www.doi.gov. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  9. ^ Arwyn Rice (November 28, 2013), "Quinault recall election keeps most of tribal executive body", Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, Washington
  10. ^ Amelia Dickson (November 5, 2013), "Quinaults hold recall election for President Sharp and other leaders", Daily World, Aberdeen, Washington, archived from the original on March 4, 2016, retrieved September 23, 2015
  11. ^ "Fawn Sharp Re-Elected Quinault President: 'We are Headed for Success' - Tulalip News". 2015-04-20. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  12. ^ Staff, ICMN (18 April 2015). "Fawn Sharp Re-Elected Quinault President: 'We are Headed for Success'". Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  13. ^ http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/sharp-elected-fourth-term-quinault-indian-nation-president Archived 2015-08-17 at the Wayback Machine March 31, 2015
  14. ^ Rickert, Levi (2023-11-13). "National Congress of American Indians 80th Convention Underway in New Orleans". Native News Online. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  15. ^ Rickert, Levi (2023-11-16). "Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro Elected President of NCAI". Native News Online. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  16. ^ Natasha Brennan (November 9, 2021). "Washington's Fawn Sharp becomes first Tribal leader to receive diplomatic credentials". The News Tribune. Tacoma.
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