Poppler resigns as investigator with National Indian Gaming Commission

Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000 | 10:15 a.m.

Poppler has served as investigator for the commission since 1993, when she ended her term as U.S. attorney for Montana.

As senior field investigator, Poppler was responsible for helping tribes in the Great Plains region establish legal gaming operations under the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. She has monitored Indian gambling operations in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Michigan.

As part of her duties, Poppler made routine site visits to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the commission. She also conducted workshops for training independent tribal gaming commissions, which are required by tribal gaming ordinances for each tribal gaming operation.

Poppler said she has traveled to more than 90 reservations across the country. In most cases, tribal casinos have provided a tremendous boost to the economy on Indian reservations, she said.

Poppler said she has enjoyed the cultural and spiritual aspects dealing with tribal governments. "If you live here in Billings, you don't normally have that kind of interaction with the tribes," she said.

She said she plans to continue working as an attorney and consultant.