Matthew Wesaw currently serves as the Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Prior to his time with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Wesaw served with the Michigan State Police where he had a full career, retiring from that career in 2001 as a Detective Sergeant.

Wesaw served as the vice-chair for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians before becoming the Chairman in 1996. Wesaw had 4 children at home, and after a couple of years of serving, he decided to step down until his retirement in 2001. In 2002, Wesaw was reelected to the tribe and has served in one form or another ever since.

From 2013 to 2015, Wesaw served as the Executive Director of the Department of Civil Rights for the state of Michigan.