Senate Confirms Jean Carol Hovland as HHS Commissioner of the Administration of Native Americans

Last week, the Senate confirmed by voice vote the nomination of Jean Carol Hovland, an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, to serve as Commissioner of the Administration of Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Established in 1974 through the Native American Programs Act, the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) serves all Native Americans, including federally recognized Tribes, American Indian and Alaska Native organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native populations throughout the Pacific Basin. ANA promotes self-sufficiency for Native Americans by providing discretionary grant funding for community based projects, as well as training and technical assistance to eligible Tribes and Native organizations.

In a statement announcing the confirmation, Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said “The Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans is instrumental in promoting tribal self-determination and leading key programs to foster economic and social development opportunities in Native American communities. Ms. Hovland will bring efficient management to the agency and will be a strong leader and advocate for children, families, and communities throughout Indian Country. I am encouraged that the Senate has moved expeditiously to approve her nomination.”

Hovland currently serves as senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, where she advises senior departmental officials on a diverse portfolio of Indian affairs issues. She previously served as the Tribal affairs advisor and Native American outreach coordinator to Senator John Thune (R-S.D.). She had previously also served as CEO of Wanji Native Consultants, which offered training services for Tribal programs and Tribal governments pertaining to homeland security, emergency management, stress management, and time management.

Hovland was nominated by President Trump to serve in the role on February 13. In the nomination, the President notes that “Ms. Hovland played a key role in developing the Tribal Law and Order Act, the Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act, and the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2017.