“ Thanks to all the support, these were good years for me Retiring Grand Portage Committeewoman, ” Lorraine Wipson
The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Council is now an all-male group. Councilwoman Lorraine Wipson’s last day in office was June 30, 2010, a day filled with mixed emotions, said Wipson in a recent interview.
Wipson said she enjoyed her time of community service. She first served on the Reservation Tribal Council (RTC) in the 1970s. She was involved in the economic development work that resulted in the construction of a Radisson Hotel in Grand Portage in 1975, which eventually became the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
She took a break from tribal government for a while and she was not on the RTC when Grand Portage Tribal Enterprise was expanded to include a casino in 1990. Wipson said she did have a few concerns at that time about how a casino would affect the community. She said there have been a few problems, but overall the casino has greatly benefited Grand Portage. The Lodge and Casino is now one of the major employers in Cook County. She said it has been good to see revenue reinvested in the community—in a new school, clinic, daycare and housing.
She returned to the RTC eight years ago and served on the Tribal Executive Committee as secretary/treasurer. “It’s been wonderful to be involved with the improvements that have been made,” she said.
Although she respects her former council colleagues, she is sorry that there will no longer be a woman representing Grand Portage. She hopes that there will again someday be another councilwoman on the RTC.
However, since she is approaching 80 years of age, she said it is time to step down. She recalls the council members— elders—that she learned from: John Flat, Liza Thibault, Paul Cyrette, and later, Gilbert Caribou. She said like they did, she must move on and let younger voices be heard.
Asked if she has any advice for the newer council members, Wipson said simply, “Put the community first in everything you do.”
Wipson said she would always be grateful to the community. “Thanks to all the enrollees and the people of Grand Portage who have supported me all these years. Thanks to all the support, these were good years for me.”
What will Wipson do now that she is retired? She chuckled, “I have a lot of yard work to do. After that—who knows?”
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