tribal election

Former Sault Tribe Appellate Judge Speaks

Matthew L.M. Fletcher3 Comments

From the Soo Evening News:

SAULT STE. MARIE – Local Attorney Michael Winnick explained that his resignation from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Court of Appeals came for one reason and one reason alone.

Integrity.

“My name is the only thing I truly own and I do not want it in any way shape or form dirtied by what is taking place on that reservation,” said Winnick. “I owe it to myself, my profession and to any mentor I have ever had who took the time to teach me right from wrong.”

Winnick said recent allegations that he stepped down because he was not named chief judge – a position the Appellate Court took in a 15-page memorandum dispensed at a recent meeting of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors – are simply untrue.

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GTB Election Coverage (from Indianz)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan are voting in a primary election on Wednesday.

Twenty candidates are vying for three seats on the tribal council. Three candidates are running for chairman. The general election will be held May 21. The two top voters from each race will be on the ballot. For chairman, incumbent Robert Kewaygoshkum is facing a challenge from Derek Bailey and Thurlow “Sam” McClellan.

Get the Story:
Tribal voters to narrow field (The Leelanau News 4/8)

GTB Election Preview

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Leelanau Enterprise:

Three candidates have tossed their hats into the ring to serve as tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

In addition, 21 other tribal members are running for three seats on the Tribal Council.

The GTB will hold a Primary Election on April 9 to narrow the field of candidates to two running for tribal chairman and six running for seats on the Tribal Council. The Regular Election is slated to be held on May 21, with newly elected or re-elected officials taking office the following day.

Tribal Election Board chairman Sam Evans said that the deadline for candidates to declare their candidacy was March 3. He explained that a list of candidates will not be available until after March 17, the deadline for completing a background check of all candidates. The background check, which includes fingerprinting, eliminates any convicted felons from running for office.

Although no candidate list was available this week, it’s clear that at least one incumbent tribal councilor, Derek Bailey, is hoping to fill Tribal Chairman Robert Keywaygoshkum’s seat. Lawn signs declaring Bailey’s candidacy for tribal chairman have appeared along roadways near the reservation in Peshawbestown. Bailey’s four-year term as a tribal councilor is slated to expire in May.

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Nooksack Drug Testing Challenge

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Bellingham Herald:

Four members of the Nooksack Indian Tribe have filed suit in tribal court, challenging an election ordinance that requires tribal council candidates to pass a drug test before they can get on the ballot.

Charlotte Geleynse had hoped to be on the ballot for the March 15 election as a member of the “It’s Our Future” slate advocating sweeping change to tribal governance, but she refused to submit to the test.

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Fred Dakota Reelected at KBIC

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

From the Mining Gazette:

He’s back: Dakota wins runoff, back on council

Fred Dakota, shown in this June 2006 file photo, won Saturday’s runoff election for the second seat in the Baraga district of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s tribal council.

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Sault Tribe Chairman Controversy

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

From Soo Evening News (H/T Indianz):

Board seeks Payment’s removal

 

Sault Tribal Board considers resolution to remove Chairman from office

SAULT STE. MARIE – Tribal Chairman Aaron Payment issued a press release early this morning announcing the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors is considering a resolution to remove him from office. Payment also indicated that this action would render him ineligible to seek re-election later this year.

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Preliminary Results of KBIC Council Vote

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Mining Gazette:

Tribal elections too close to call

By JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer

BARAGA — Unofficial results from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Tribal Council elections held Saturday show a close race, especially for the two seats in the Baraga District.

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