Sequoyah Simermeyer, who has been serving as counsel to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has been proposed to join Jonodev Chaudhuri on the National Indian Gaming Commission as an associate member with a three-year term. For nearly half a year Chaudhuri has been serving as the chairman and only member of what is normally a three-member panel.
The NIGC regulates about 450 Indian casinos in 28 states.
Such appointments, made by the Secretary of the Interior, do not require Senate confirmation, only being published in the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period. The Federal Registrar noted that Simermeyer had served as counsel to the committee for a year, where he head helped draft legislation, prepare oversight and legislative hearings and advice the chairman.
According to the Registrar, “Simermeyer’s wide experience in community service, legal affairs, and organizational administration make him a highly qualified candidate for membership on the National Indian Gaming Commission.”
Before serving as counsel to the committee, was deputy chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior.
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell commented, “Mr. Simermeyer is well qualified to be a member of the National Indian Gaming Commission by virtue of his extensive background and experience in a broad spectrum of Native American issues.”
The third seat of the commission has been vacant since January 2013.
