Submitted by Quinault Indian Nation
Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation, was appointed Vice President of NCAI this morning, replacing Randy Noka, Councilman of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island, who resigned.
Other officers on NCAI’s Executive Council include President Brian Cladoosby, Chairman of the Swinomish Tribe; Treasurer Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and Secretary Aaron Payment, Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
“I am very humbled by this honor,” said Sharp. “The National Congress of American Indians is a great organization with an outstanding record of getting things done for tribal nations and Indian people of this country. The leaders and the staff who work here and the thousands of tribal citizens who devote their time and energy to the focused effort that defines NCAI constitute the greatest and best hope we have of finding united resolution to the many challenges we all face. We must work together to get the recognition and acknowledgment we have so often been denied,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, Sharp recognized the past leaders at Quinault who mentored her including Quinault President Joe DeLaCruz, who served as NCAI President from 1981-1984. She also recognized and invited current Quinault leaders Vice-President Tyson Johnston and Councilwoman Aliza Brown to join her on stage during her swearing-in ceremony.
Sharp, who had served as Northwest Area Vice President of NCAI for 4 years, is also President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, which advocates for and represents the interests of 57 tribes in six Northwest states. The NCAI is the oldest and largest American Indian organization, with 566 member tribes.
Sharp received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. She also holds an advanced certificate in International Human Rights Law from Oxford University. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She is in her fourth term as President of the Quinault Indian Nation.
