Attorney Danna Jackson appointed to American Indian Graduate Center Board of Directors

Attorney Danna Jackson (courtesy photo)

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving cultural and economic wellbeing for individuals and tribes through graduate education, announced leading American Indian law and policy attorney Danna Jackson will serve as a Board Member for the 2010/11 year. Governor Bill Anoatubby of Chickasaw Nation was also newly appointed to the Board of Directors.

Jackson, originally from Niarada, is an attorney at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Washington, D.C. where she works on behalf of tribes and tribal entities in front of Congress and federal agencies.

Jackson formerly advised Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) on legislative issues relevant to Indian Affairs and Judiciary committees. In this role, Jackson oversaw the appropriations for all tribal appropriation projects. She also served as an attorney to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Jackson earned her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Montana. Jackson serves as visiting faculty to the Summer Indian Law Program at the UM law school. Danna is the daughter of Dan and Cheryl Jackson of Ronan. Her father, an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is employed by the Tribes’ Tribal Lands Department in Pablo.

“We are delighted to announce the addition of Ms. Jackson to AIGC’s Board of Directors,” said Elizabeth Rodke Washburn, AIGC’s outgoing President. “Her expertise in tribal law coupled with her years of experience in advocating for American Indian and Alaska Native issues will add to the strength of our current board and overall organization.”

“The AIGC Board of Directors is composed of a diverse, dynamic group of professionals and leaders in the nationwide Indian community. Mr. Mahooty, Governor Anoatubby and Ms. Jackson will infuse new vigor into our organization and ensure our mission to provide education and leadership opportunity to American Indian and Alaska Native students is realized,” said Washburn. “AIGC is a world-class organization with a sound commitment to advancing the lives of our Indian people - from the more than 15,000 students who have received scholarships to our newest board members.”

AIGC has awarded more than $44 million in scholarship money to American Indian and Alaska Native students since it was established in 1969. Each year, the organization awards approximately 450 scholarships in the range of $3,000 to $4,000. AIGC is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM.

About the American Indian Graduate Center
AIGC works to improve cultural and economic wellbeing for individuals and tribes through graduate education. Since its founding in 1969, AIGC has awarded over $44M to 15,000 graduate students in all fields of study. As a non-profit organization, AIGC is committed to raising scholarship funds for its students and is proud of the fact that more than 90 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to scholarships and services for students.