Tribal Council member Denise Harvey appointed to NIGA board

By Danielle Frost

Denise Harvey is the first Grand Ronde Tribal member to be appointed to the National Indian Gaming Association board.

Her appointment as the Pacific Northwest delegate alternate was confirmed at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians conference held in May in Toppenish, Wash.

She was selected at the NIGA tradeshow and convention held in Las Vegas in April. The Grand Ronde Tribal Council member served on the Grand Ronde Gaming Commission as a member and chair from March 2004 through September 2013.

“I’m honored to represent the Pacific Northwest Region as a board member for the National Indian Gaming Association,” Harvey said. “I believe I’m not only the first from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, but also from Oregon to be appointed. I’ve learned a lot about gaming in 15 years and greatly appreciate my experience of being on the Gaming Commission for 10 years.

“I’ve built some great relationships and gotten to know the gaming industry well, but most importantly the people in Indian Country.”

The NIGA board is comprised of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer, as well as 12 regional delegates, four at-large delegates and two non-voting associate members. Harvey will serve for two years.

Board member duties include approving or rejecting applications for associate membership, serving as a regional representative for gaming matters and casting a vote on each matter submitted to the board of directors.

According to its website, NIGA is an interTribal association of federally recognized Tribes working to protect and preserve Tribal sovereignty and the ability of Tribes to be self-sufficient through gaming and other forms of economic development.

The organization works with the federal government and members of Congress to develop policies and practices, and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues.

Harvey started working for the Tribe in 2002 in the Human Resources Department as the Mentorship and Workforce Development coordinator, a position she held until 2010. She has been a Tribal Council member since 2013.