For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Gaston
(202) 632-7003
NIGC Welcomes Isom-Clause as Newest Associate Commissioner
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2016 – On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell appointed Kathryn Isom-Clause (Taos Pueblo) to Associate Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). Isom-Clause will join Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri (Muscogee Creek) and Associate Commissioner E. Sequoyah Simermeyer (Coharie) in carrying out the federal Indian gaming regulatory responsibilities of the Commission. She will serve a three-year term.
“Kathryn is a highly qualified professional with extensive experience in a wide range of American Indian issues at both the tribal and national levels,” Secretary Jewell said. “Her dedication and expertise will serve the Commission well as it works to uphold the highest ethical standards while helping tribes generate economic opportunities for their communities.”
Prior to joining the NIGC, Isom-Clause served as a senior counselor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this position, she advised the Assistant Secretary on Indian gaming matters, including tribal-state gaming compacts, environmental compliance issues and revenue allocation plans. She also chaired interagency working groups on sacred sites and homelessness, and coordinated listening sessions and roundtables with tribal stakeholders. In addition, her portfolio included the restoration and protection of tribal homelands. Prior to joining the federal government, Isom-Clause provided legal advice and representation to tribal clients on a wide range of federal Indian law and policy issues important to Indian Country.
Isom-Clause will join Chaudhuri and Simermeyer in strengthening the regulatory structure of Indian gaming through the NIGC’s priorities and principles and faithfully implementing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. “I have known Kathryn for several years and her dedication to Indian Country is outstanding,” Chairman Chaudhuri said. “Kathryn’s aptitude to engage with tribal communities, leaders, and colleagues to address issues impacting Indian Country makes her a great addition to the Commission.”
Isom-Clause graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College, Mass. and received her juris doctor from Columbia University School of Law, N.Y.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Commission and to be a part of its amazing and dedicated team,” Isom-Clause said. “With the important work ahead of us, I look forward to collaborating with Chairman Chaudhuri and Commissioner Simermeyer as a partner with tribes and tribal regulators to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the integrity of the Indian gaming industry, which is a vital economic development tool for so many tribes.”
Secretary Jewell appointed Isom-Clause following publication of her proposed appointment in the Federal Register, which began a 30-day comment period, and a thorough review of all public comments received.
The National Indian Gaming Commission is committed to the effective regulation of the Indian gaming industry spanning more than 450 gaming establishments, associated with nearly 242 tribes across 28 states. The commission’s dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the $28.5 billion Indian gaming industry. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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The National Indian Gaming Commission is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
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