Recently, Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), announced the first round of appointments to the new GAO Tribal Advisory Council, which include three Alaska Native leaders. The appointees will tap their knowledge and experience serving Native communities to assist GAO in overseeing federal programs and addressing the many challenges facing Native communities across the country. The three Alaska Natives appointed to the GAO Tribal Advisory Council, include:

• Sheila Carl, Tribal Council Member, Akiak Native Community
• Sarah Lukin, Chief Strategy Officer, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
• Diana Zirul, Tribal Council Treasurer, Kenaitze Indian Tribe

“Each of these Alaska Native women appointed to the new GAO Tribal Advisory Council will provide the U.S. Government Accountability Office with important insights on matters affecting the Indigenous peoples of Alaska. The government watchdog agency provides research that is invaluable to ensuring the federal government meets its constitutional responsibilities, including upholding the federal trust obligations to Native peoples. Whether its reviewing health care, economic development, housing, natural resources, telecommunications or funding for federal programs and services, GAO’s findings and recommendations are important to Congress’s oversight duties. I congratulate all of the Native leaders appointed to the newly formed Tribal Advisory Council,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

GAO established the Tribal Advisory Council to help inform the agency’s future work and priorities in examining federal programs that serve tribal communities and Indigenous peoples. The appointments will last two to three years with terms beginning this month.

 

Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska

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