Dean Deschampe and Geraldine Kozlowski received the most votes in the special primary election for the Reservation Tribal Council of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in April 2009. The candidates will now face each other in the general election on June 16, 2009. The polls at the Old Log School will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The election is being held to fill the unexpired four-year term of Reservation Tribal Council secretary Gilbert Caribou, who died on January 28, 2009.
The Cook County News-Herald offered both candidates the opportunity to answer some questions and to provide photographs. Kozlowski declined sending a photograph, but answers to our questions from both candidates follow. Q Please provide Cook County News-Herald readers some information about yourself:
Dean Deschampe: I was born in Grand Portage and lived there until I was 13 when my family moved to Duluth. I lived there until 1992. I worked as a truck driver and owned my own trucking business. When I moved back to Grand Portage I worked various jobs. I helped develop the land use plan while working as land use administrator. I worked as water and sewer operator. I served on the Tribal Council for six years. The last two years I worked at Grand Portage, starting as security and I am now general manager.
Geraldine Kozlowski: I was born and raised in Grand Portage, graduated from Cook County High School in 1961, attended UMD and the Minnesota School of Business. My work experience includes: Grand Portage Community Action program director for several years; Indian education director for Duluth Public Schools, retiring in 2002; and from 2002 to present as program Administrator for Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council. The programs I am involved with are Human Services, Health Services, Community Center, Food Distribution Program, Day Care, Head Start, Elderly Nutrition Program, Education, Community Services, and the Tribal Museum.
I’ve been married for 38 years; have two adult children and two grandsons. All of us live in Grand Portage. Q Why did you decide to run/run again for the Tribal Council?
Deschampe: I’ve always been interested in local politics and the community itself. I have some grave concerns. I did well when I was on the council before. I’d like to be involved again.
Kozlowski: I decided to run for Tribal Council because I believe that through my past experiences, I have the expertise to positively contribute to the future of Grand Portage. I believe in local control, Tribal Sovereignty, Indian Self-determination, promotion of education for all members, and because I was fortunate to be born with such a rich cultural heritage, a deep commitment to our reservation. Q How do you feel about proposed changes to the Grand Portage Tribal constitution?
Deschampe: I really don’t want to comment on that, since there really aren’t any changes proposed at this time.
Kozlowski: Grand Portage is one of six bands that comprise the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and we are all governed by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution with each band having their own by-laws. Any changes proposed have to be voted on by the majority vote of the eligible voters, and then approved by the Secretary of the Interior. There has been no movement toward any changes in the Constitution or By-Laws in the past few years. Q What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the community of Grand Portage at this time?
Deschampe: Like everybody else, I’m concerned about the state of the economy.
Kozlowski: There have been positive things happening in Grand Portage recently: new homes, new rentals, the new Head Start Day Care facility and the new charter school. Programs focus on family activities such as “Kids Day,” “Wellness Fair,” elderly activities such as “Rez Rides,” summer field trips for adults and young people, karate classes, snow shoe making, Stone Bridge Drum Group (composed of young students), boys’ groups, girls’ group, etc. I know that the positives outnumber the negatives and that Grand Portage continues to be a good place to live.
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