GAO Makes New Appointments to Its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council

WASHINGTON, DC (September 15, 2025) - Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced six new appointments to its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council. The Council, created in 2022, provides GAO with insights and counsel on matters affecting Tribal Nations and their citizens.

"The Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council has been an essential effort to improving GAO's reports on federal programs serving Tribes and indigenous communities. The Council has been incredibly valuable in providing GAO with advice to help Congress oversee federal programs serving Tribes, their citizens, and indigenous peoples," Dodaro said.

GAO's oversight of federal programs that serve Tribes and their citizens aims to help the Congress determine how best to meet the government's longstanding commitments to federally recognized Tribes. The Council, which is comprised of members representing Tribal Nations, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian communities, and state-recognized tribes, provides guidance on vital and emerging issues affecting their respective constituents and input on GAO's work on federal programs that serve their communities.

Newly appointed members will serve three-year terms beginning in September 2025. The Council's new members are:

• Tracy Charles-Smith, President, Native Village of Dot Lake (AK)
• Rick L. Harrison, Vice President, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (AK)
• Juliann Spotted Bear, Councilwoman, Oglala Sioux Tribe (SD)
• Thomas Cupis, Treasurer, Pascua Yaqui Tribe (AZ)
• Kasie Nichols, Chickasaw Nation Senior Financial Policy Advisor (OK)
• Nicole Borromeo, President, ANSCA Regional Association (AK)

GAO established the Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council to help inform the agency's future work and priorities in examining federal programs that serve tribal communities and indigenous peoples. For more information about the Council, please visit www.gao.gov/about/what-gao-does/tribal-advisory-council or contact Anna Maria Ortiz with the Natural Resources and Environment Team at [email protected]. Other inquiries should be directed to Sarah Kaczmarek in GAO's Office of Public Affairs at (202) 512-4800.

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The Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, is an independent, nonpartisan agency that exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO provides Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonideological, fair, and balanced. GAO's commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.