Duly Noted

 Matt Wesaw chosen as Department of Civil Rights Director

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC) has announced that Matt Wesaw will begin his tenure as Executive Director of the Michigan De-partment of Civil Rights (MDCR) on Oct. 28. The Commission selected Wesaw at its Oct. 7 meeting, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Daniel Krichbaum in July. Wesaw will be based at the department’s Lansing office.

“Matt Wesaw brings a depth and breadth of experience and sound judgment that will be of great benefit to the Department of Civil Rights and the state of Michigan,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “I look forward to joining with him in the important work of ensuring that every citizen of this great state has the opportunity to live, work, and learn in an environment free from discrimination, ready to pursue the opportunities around them.”
Wesaw will become the first Native American to lead the MDCR. He plans to retire from his current positions as Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and President and CEO of the Pokagon Gaming Authority.
 
Said Wesaw, “Having served on the Commission for several years, Civil Rights is an area that I am very passionate about and I’m excited to focus on it.”

Wesaw began his career in public service in 1979 when he joined the Michigan State Police. Wesaw served 26 years as a state trooper, then transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division, where he became Detective Sergeant and served in the Organized Crime and Auto Theft Units. In 1995, Wesaw became Vice President of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association (MSPTA), serving until Jan. 2001, and as Director of Government Relations for MSPTA until retiring in March 2008.
 
Wesaw also served as a tribal council member, vice chairman and past chairman of the federally-recognized Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and as chairman of the Commission on Indian Affairs under Gov. John Engler. Wesaw was appointed by Gov. Engler to the Community Service Commission. In 2004, Wesaw became only the second Native American on the MCRC when Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed him.

He served as Chair in 2010-2011.

 In 2007, Wesaw was hired by the United Tribes of Michigan, composed of the federally-recognized tribes, whose mission is to support the mutual interests of the Native American community.

The MDCR Executive Director is responsible for implementing public policy set forth by the MCRC, including providing leadership for MDCR and its employees. MDCR is responsible for civil rights complaint
investigations as well as outreach efforts and educational programs to promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws.

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