Talk:Fawn Sharp

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Edit request: May 2025 update by subject of article

I am requesting an update to my Wikipedia article to reflect recent developments in my career and contributions. Below is the proposed revised content, formatted for Wikipedia, along with corresponding citations.

Fawn Sharp

Fawn Rena Sharp (born May 20, 1970) is a Native American attorney, policy advocate, and leader in Indigenous governance and climate policy. She is the President and CEO of Sharp Global Development, LLC, a firm focused on advancing Indigenous economic development and climate solutions. Sharp is a Global Board Member of The Nature Conservancy and serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Natural Capital. She is a citizen of the Quinault Indian Nation.

Early Life and Education

Sharp was born in Aberdeen, Washington, and raised on the Quinault Reservation. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice at the age of 20. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1995. Additionally, she holds an Associate of Arts from Grays Harbor College and a certificate in International Human Rights with an emphasis on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. She also completed coursework through the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada and the University of Oxford.

Career

Tribal Leadership

Sharp served as President of the Quinault Indian Nation for five consecutive terms and later as Vice President. During her tenure, the Nation expanded its economic base while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental protection and cultural preservation. She also served two terms as President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

National Congress of American Indians

In 2019, Sharp was elected President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), becoming the third woman to hold the office. She led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded its global diplomatic presence. Sharp served in this role until 2023.

Climate Policy and Environmental Justice

Sharp played a key leadership role in advocating for environmental justice and holding polluters accountable in Washington State. She was a prominent voice in support of Initiative 1631, a landmark ballot measure that sought to place a fee on carbon emissions from the state’s largest polluters. Although the initiative was ultimately defeated in 2018, it laid the groundwork for future climate legislation. Sharp later contributed to the successful passage and implementation of the Climate Commitment Act in 2021, one of the most ambitious climate policies in the United States, which established a cap-and-invest program and reinvested revenues in frontline and Tribal communities.

International Advocacy

Sharp has represented Indigenous Peoples at international forums including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), and multiple UN Climate Change Conferences (COP). In 2021, she became the first tribal leader elected by tribal nations to receive diplomatic recognition from the U.S. Department of State for participation at COP26.

Board Memberships and Affiliations • Sharp Global Development, LLC – President and CEO • The Nature Conservancy – Global Board Member • World Economic Forum – Council Member, Global Future Council on Natural Capital • World Economic Forum – Inaugural Member, Indigenous Peoples Knowledge and Leadership Network • Salmon Defense – Founding and current Board Member

Honors and Recognition • Distinguished Alumni Merit Award (DAMA), Gonzaga University • Honorary Doctor of Laws, Gonzaga University • Honorary Doctorate, Lewis and Clark College • Lifetime Achievement Award, Indian Gaming Association • Inductee, 2025 Native Forward Scholars Fund Hall of Fame • Named to Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list in 2022, recognizing influential women over the age of 50 who are making significant contributions in their fields.

Notable Quote

During her final State of Indian Nations Address in 2023, Sharp stated: “We are the descendants of our ancestors and the ancestors of our descendants.”

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Citations: 1. The Nature Conservancy Appoints Fawn Sharp to its Global Board of Directors 2. NCAI President Fawn Sharp Receives Diplomatic Recognition from United States at COP26 3. Fawn Sharp - Washington Secretary of State 4. Fawn Sharp: Tribal consent becomes the law in Washington state 5. Arguments for and against I-1631’s carbon fees | Cascade PBS 6. Climate change law is on Washington’s ballot - ICT News 7. Fawn Sharp - Beyond the Spectacle: Native North American … 8. Fawn Sharp: Indigenous input is key to tackling climate change 9. Fawn Sharp | World Economic Forum 10. 50 Over 50 2022: Impact - Forbes FawnSharp (talk) 19:16, 10 May 2025 (UTC)