NIGC Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland honored with Woman Warrior Award

Jeannie Hovland, Vice Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), has been recognized with the prestigious Woman Warrior Award by the Tribal Gaming Protection Network’s Women in Tribal Gaming Symposium.

The award, presented during a luncheon on May 15 in Oklahoma City, honors leaders in tribal gaming who exhibit exceptional professionalism, resilience, and dedication to advancing the industry while uplifting Native communities.

Hovland, an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, was recognized for her decades-long commitment to Indian Country and her role in championing tribal sovereignty and opportunities for Native communities and women across the United States.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Woman Warrior Award and to be amongst so many visionary women who are making lasting impacts across their communities and in the tribal gaming industry,” said Hovland during the ceremony. “This is a powerful reminder of the strength of so many women who lead, advocate and inspire every day.”

At NIGC, Hovland continues to play a critical role in regulatory oversight and policy development in tribal gaming, emphasizing sovereignty and economic empowerment for tribal nations.

The award ceremony was part of the broader Women in Tribal Gaming Symposium, which featured panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking events aimed at fostering professional development for women working in the tribal gaming sector.