Media Contact: 
Mike Snyder, (202) 418-0997
mike.snyder@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF MATTHEW DUCHESNE 
AS CHIEF OF THE OFFICE OF NATIVE AFFAIRS AND POLICY
  --
WASHINGTON, November 13, 2017—The Federal Communications Commission today 
announced the appointment of Matthew Duchesne to serve as the chief of the FCC’s Office of 
Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP).  
“We are delighted to welcome Matthew to the ONAP team,” said Patrick Webre, acting chief of 
the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.  “He brings leadership, vision and a 
wide range of policy making and practical experience that will be key to enhancing the 
Commission’s engagement with Native Nations.”
The Office of Native Affairs and Policy serves as the Commission's catalyst to help improve the 
level of broadband, telecommunications, and broadcast deployment throughout Indian country.  
The office represents the FCC in government-to-government consultation with sovereign Tribal
nations, works with other FCC offices and bureaus to develop and implement policies for 
assisting Native communities, and ensures that Native concerns and voices are considered in all 
relevant Commission proceedings and initiatives.
Mr. Duchesne is joining the Commission from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation where he served 
as program manager for Native American and International Affairs.  While there, he led the 
agency’s work related to Tribal consultation and negotiation of settlements associated with Tribal 
water rights claims in the western United States.
Mr. Duchesne has also worked as a senior policy official at the Department of Energy with a 
portfolio that included serving as a negotiator with Tribal and state governments on behalf of the 
United States.  He served as a Brookings Institution legislative fellow with U.S. Congresswoman
Chellie Pingree and Senator Ron Wyden, and served as a Supreme Court fellow in the office of
the late U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist.  
Mr. Duchesne earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with 
high honors.  He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Miami University (Magna Cum Laude)
and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mr. Duchesne will look to continue the outstanding work of ONAP under its acting chief Lyle 
Ishida. “We’d be remiss if we didn’t thank Lyle for his leadership and dedication,” added Mr. 
Webre.  “He is an invaluable asset to our work and I’m grateful that he will continue to serve here 
at the FCC.”
To learn more about the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy, visit the office’s web page: 
https://www.fcc.gov/general/native-nations
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).