NAFSA Executive Director Lance A. Gumbs Awarded the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's "Advocate of the Year" Award

LAS VEGAS, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, March 10, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development honored NAFSA Executive Director Lance A. Gumbs with the "Tim Wapato Public Advocate of the Year" award.

The award's namesake, Tim Wapato, lived his life fighting for the rights of the people of Indian Country and working to improve the economic opportunities available to his people. 

The award, presented at the 29^th Annual National Reservation Economic Summit (National RES) in Las Vegas, recognized Mr. Gumbs' life accomplishments as a tribal leader and his work advocating on behalf of Indian country—specifically in the area of economic development and tribal economic self-sufficiency.

A former two-term Tribal Chairman and nine-term Tribal Trustee, Gumbs was a fitting choice for the award as he has dedicated his life and career to serving tribal communities.

For more than 20 years, Gumbs has demonstrated outstanding leadership, playing a key role in the three-decade fight for federal recognition of the Shinnecock Tribe.

As Tribal Chairman, Lance oversaw the development of the tribal budget and expenditure policies. He also supervised program directors, oversaw hiring decisions, and managed all lobbying efforts.

Most recently, as the Executive Director at NAFSA, Gumbs has been working to ensure that tribal lending entities can continue doing business—without interference from parties outside of Indian Country.

As a NCAI Board Liaison, Gumbs spearheads lobbying efforts on the Hill, tackling issues ranging from gaming to taxation to water rights issues.

To learn more about the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, visit ncaied.org. To learn more about the Native American Financial Services Association, visit mynafsa.org. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150323/183717

SOURCE Native American Financial Services Association

Related Links

http://www.mynafsa.org