Fawn Sharp


Fawn Sharp is a Native American politician, attorney, and policy advocate who currently serves as President of the National Congress of American Indians. Prior to serving in this capacity, 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. Following the Cobell v. Salazar decision, Sharp was appointed by the Department of the Interior to serve as chair of the National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform
Sharp has served in a variety of 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.

Early life and education

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

Career

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. She was elected to her fourth term as Quinault president in March 2015. The Quinault Nation hosted the Canoe Journey in 2013, during her third term.