When the polls closed in the Old Log Community Building on Tuesday, June 12, the votes were tallied and it was determined that the winner of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 2012 general election is Marie Spry.
Two people ran for the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council (RTC) committeeman seat, Robert J. Hull and Marie Spry. Hull received 114 votes, or 39.45 percent and Spry received 175, or 60.55 percent.
Spry will replace incumbent committeeperson at-large William “Bill” Myers.
Reached in Hinckley at the Wisdom Steps Conference, Spry was obviously excited about the election results. “It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “I’m thankful that so many people voted and had confidence in me.”
Spry serves as executive board chair of Wisdom Steps, so she has been very busy gearing up for the conference where she would be co-emcee of a closing banquet. The conference was quite well-attended this year with 400-plus participants.
Incumbent Tribal Chair Norman W. Deschampe was not on the ballot in the general election, as he earned 199 votes for 51 percent of the vote in the April 3, 2012 primary election. Because he garnered over half of the votes, Deschampe was immediately reelected. Deschampe has served as tribal chair for 20 years.
Enrolled members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa elect the Tribal Council officers. The election was held in accordance with Minnesota Chippewa Tribe ordinances. Conducting the election were Judge Gale Carlson, Clerk William Dahl, Teller Marcie McIntire and Alternate Mike Keyport.
The Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council is the governing body of the reservation, overseeing health care, social services, education, jobs, housing, public safety, and more.
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