For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Mark Gaston
(202) 632-7003
NIGC Chief of Staff Appointed by President Obama to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee
WASHINGTON, November 30, 2016 - November is Native American Heritage Month, a month that is focused on honoring and preserving Native American culture & heritage as well as honoring leaders of Indian country. NIGC is proud to announce one of those leaders and her achievements. Ms. Shannon O’Loughlin (Choctaw), Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission, was appointed to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee on September 30, 2016 by President Barack Obama. Ms. O’Loughlin will be one of eleven members of the Committee for a renewable three-year term.
“I am extremely humbled to be appointed to the Committee and look forward to providing my assistance and expertise while part of this committee,” stated O’Loughlin on her appointment.
This Committee is a federal advisory committee administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs, which advises the President on appropriate U.S. action in response to requests from foreign governments for assistance in protecting their cultural heritage. The Cultural Property Advisory Committee was established by Section 306 of the 1983 Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, which implements Article 9 of the 1970 USESCO Convention.
Prior to working for the National Indian Gaming Commission, Ms. O’Loughlin was appointed by Secretary Sally Jewell to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Review Committee. She has worked with many Tribes as legal counsel on the protection of cultural items and sacred sites utilizing federal laws, such as NAGPRA, ARPA, and NHPA, tribal laws and state laws, and has served as in-house and outside counsel for Tribal governments, Tribal government business entities and non-profits serving Indian Country.
“NIGC is proud to have our Chief of Staff appointed to such a significant committee. The protection of cultural property and sacred items is extremely important in ensuring that our Native American cultures are secured and that these items can remain as part of our ongoing cultural and religious practices for our present and future generations,” said Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri. Ms. O’Loughlin will bring this perspective to her work protecting the cultural heritage of other countries while serving on the Committee.
###
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act created the National Indian Gaming Commission to support tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming. The NIGC has developed four initiatives to support its mission including (1) To protect against anything that amounts to gamesmanship on the backs of tribes; (2) To stay ahead of the Technology Curve; (3) Rural outreach; and (4) To maintain a strong workforce within NIGC and with its tribal regulatory partners. NIGC oversees the efficient regulation of 497 gaming establishments operated by 244 tribes across 29 states. The Commission’s dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the growing $29.9 billion Indian gaming industry. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Download the PDF here.
