Chickasaw woman named to NIGC position

Monday, October 12, 2009  

Steffani Cochran, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, has been appointed as an associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Cochran is an attorney who has worked for tribal and state governments. She served as general counsel to Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico, as a judge for the Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals, as an administrative law judge for Oregon and for the New Mexico state government.

"Working at different times for tribal and State governments, Ms. Cochran has participated in negotiations and addressed issues of critical importance to both constituencies," a notice to be published in Federal Register stated.

The nomination is open to public comment for 30 days. Once approved, she will be the third and final member of the NIGC, which has been operating without three members for more than a year.

President Barack Obama has yet to name a new chair of the NIGC. George Skibine, a member of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, is serving in an acting capacity.

Federal Register Document:
Proposed Appointment to the National Indian Gaming Commission (To Be Published October 13, 2009)