Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Raymond V. Butler announced today the appointment of Wayne H. Chattin, Jay T. Suagee, and Joe G. Weller to top positions in a newly created Division of Self-Determination Services within the Office of Indian Services in Washington, D.C.
The division will have responsibilities related to the implementation of Public Law 93-638, the Indian, Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
The new division's first chief will be Wayne H. Chattin, who returns to the BIA following his directorship of Native American Programs for the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. Chattin, a member of the Blackfeet tribe, graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1959. He has worked since then with the BIA. He worked in Montana, Arizona, and Colorado in jobs related to employment assistance, relocation and industrial and tourism development.
In 1970, Chattin received a certificate of special achievement from the BIA for his work, and in 1973, the Old west Trail Foundation named him "Outstanding Man of the Year."
Jay T. Suagee and Joe G. Weller will be program analysts in the new division.
Suagee' s appointment follows a diverse career which has included work as an Air Force intelligence specialist, Army systems analysis and data processing projects manager, and most recently, general manager, treasurer, and member of the Board of Directors of Wieser/Robodyne Corporation of Silver Spring, Maryland. Suagee received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Oklahoma, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He is a member of the Cherokee tribe.
Joe Weller’s promotion to this position follows a ten year affiliation with the Bureau. Formerly with the Yakima Indian Agency in Toppenish, Washington, Weller came to the Central Office in Washington, D.C. in 1975. While working at the Yakima Agency, he was awarded a special Achievement award for the Portland Area in 1975. Weller, a member of the Caddo tribe, attended both the University of New Mexico and North Texas State University.
