A primary in April 2014 narrowed the ballot to two candidates for each Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council position up for election. On Tuesday, June 10, 2014, members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will vote for secretary/ treasurer, committeeperson I and committeeperson II.
Running for secretary/treasurer is incumbent April (Clearwater- Day) McCormick and Dennis B. Morrison.
For the committee person I seat, the candidates are Rob Hull and Amber Porter. Candidates for the committeeperson II seat are incumbent John Morrin and William “Bill” Myers.
The Cook County News-Herald contacted all of the candidates and asked them a few questions. The responses received at press time follow.
Q
Would you like to provide some information about your education or work history, family information or anything else?
Secretary/treasurer
April McCormick: Grand Portage is more than a place—it is my home. I grew up here and I have lived in Grand Portage my whole life. I received my bachelor’s degree from Bethel University in youth ministry, reconciliation, and business management.
This May, I achieved master’s degree in tribal administration and governance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. I have immense gratitude toward the Grand Portage Scholarship Program for helping me in obtaining these degrees. I continue to support the scholarship program and its goal of making higher education opportunities accessible for our students. I want to continue to encourage young people in pursuing their education goals and taking on leadership responsibilities.
I’m the daughter of Lester Day and Jaye Clearwater. You may know me by my maiden name: April Clearwater-Day. Jacob McCormick is my husband. We are the parents of Nehemiah. I am the sister of Autumn and Rusty. As a role model to youth, my lifestyle is free of commercial tobacco, drug and alcohol use. I enjoy moose hunting, dancing women’s traditional, and creating artwork.
Dennis B. Morrison – Gi WaDi Nong (North Star): I graduated from Red Wing High School and attended Winona State College for four years. I am a U.S. Army Vietnam combat veteran.
I have worked as Community Action Program director and as the assistant director and executive director of the Upper Midwest American Indian Center. I served as secretary/ treasurer of the Grand Portage Tribal Council for four years. In addition, have had experience in the Economic Development Administration and as a reservation planner.
Amber Porter: I was born and raised in Grand Portage. I’m a Cook County High School graduate, Class of 2004. I’m currently raising my two children and working full-time at the Grand Portage Human Resources Department in the Benefits Clerk position. I’ve worked for the Grand Portage Band since I was 14.
Rob Hull shared his photograph, but declined an interview.
Committeeperson II
John Morrin: My educational background is in criminal justice as well as American Indian studies.
I’ve lived in Grand Portage for 22 years. I have two sons and a daughter.
William “Bill” Myers: My background information included many past positions with jobs in vocational education, 33.5 years total in law enforcement, 17 years of the total 33.5 years as a Federal Treaty Conservation officer, 14+ years in management jobs, four years as an elected tribal government official.
My mother, Ruth A. Myers and friend, Nora Hakala started organizing the Greater Grand Portage Band members living in and around Duluth many years ago. The group was very active politically and socially. They were able to seek monies to secure housing opportunities for Band members and host “enrollee” gatherings during the holidays (Christmas Party, picnics) and election forums. This is an example of how a group of Grand Portage Band members joining together can have a strong voice and accomplish goals.
Since leaving the Grand Portage RTC in 2012, I’ve been working as the assistant casino manager, which has provided first-hand knowledge about our largest enterprise. It has provided the opportunity to work beside and learn about issues and concerns that face many of our community members.
I graduated from the Master of Tribal Administration and Governance (MTAG) Program at the University of Minnesota-Duluth on May 17, 2014. The program’s focus is on tribal governance, sovereignty, management, financial/ budget/accounting, Indian law, leadership and the complex relations between tribal, state and federal governments.
Q
Why did you decide to run/run again for the Tribal Council?
Secretary/treasurer
McCormick: It has been my honor and privilege to represent the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, in the role of secretary/ treasurer. In this position, because it directly reflects the fiscal wellbeing of the Band, it is important to me to be consistent, transparent and authentic. I have developed into a strong leader that will give voice to your concerns and take action in the best interest of the Band and our future.
Serving our community in this capacity has fueled my educational goals. I made a personal commitment to my professional leadership development by pursuing a master’s degree in Tribal Administration and Governance. It has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge that is specifically designed for the context of tribal leadership; the program focused on Tribal Finance and Accounting, Federal Indian Case Law, Tribal Sovereignty, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Tribal Human Resources, Project Management, and Ethical Leadership.
Tribes continually face challenges to exercising our sovereignty and self-determination from external entities, many battles are now fought in the political arena and within the court systems thus it is critical in the role of secretary/treasurer to have the skill set to understand these complexities. This program has greatly enhanced my ability to lead effectively as the secretary/ treasurer.
Now more than ever we need a strong, honest and accountable administration to lead the Grand Portage Community (all Band members) into the future.
Morrison: I decided to run again for secretary/treasurer because we must have better planning and management of our businesses. I believe we can increase greatly the money we earn from our businesses and we must use that money and the other resources to better the lives of our people and our reservation.
Our people also have the right to know the full extent of our finances. I am the most qualified candidate for secretary/treasurer and I appreciate your vote and support.
Committeeperson I
Porter: I decided to run for Tribal Council because I see and hear a lot of our community members that are frustrated from not being heard on varying issues. I also decided to run because I want to better our community for all generations, now and to come.
Committeeperson II
Morrin: With my educational background, I have the type of experience in politics, legal matters and the history that I believe is necessary for a member of the Tribal Council. A lot of what we deal with is legal— I’ve been dealing with sovereignty issues all my adult life. I’ve been on the Tribal Council for 16 years and served in a number of other leadership positions.
I’ve dealt with a lot of issues for the community and the Band over the years, so I can take on the responsibility for Tribal government and community issues.
Myers: I was raised in a Native American home and was taught to believe that my life would have an impact on others. That I should conduct myself in a trustworthy manner, be honest, and have accountability in all that I do. If I lived this way, others could trust and respect me. It is these qualities I want to bring to the Grand Portage Tribal Council.
Committeeperson II
Now more than ever we need a strong, honest and accountable administration to lead the Grand Portage Community (all Band members) into the future.
Q
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the community of Grand Portage at this time?
Secretary/treasurer
McCormick: Our North Shore communities have experienced the volatility of the national and state economies impacting the various industries we rely on, including the financial impacts of sequestration and other budget cuts. In the midst of this, our communities are resilient and we find creative ways to promote sustainability within our communities.
I am passionate about my role as the secretary/treasurer and the opportunity to engage band members in a vision for the Grand Portage Band’s financial status: that we are thriving, successful, and self-sufficient in being able to use our resources to provide for our needs and secure the viability of our future endeavors. I am committed to strengthening our financial stability for generations to come.
Our Anishinaabe teachings of humility, truth, bravery, honesty, respect, wisdom and love are ingrained in the way we live, in the way we care for each other, in our approach to our work, and the way we lead. I believe there are many Band members that have hope for a better, more positive future for our children and generations to come. You work hard to make it a reality every day for your families and within your community. I believe in that hope and vision and our capacity to make our Band all the more stronger, I want to work together to accomplish this with you.
Morrison: We must provide housing and jobs for those that need them.
Committeeperson I
Porter: We’re slowly losing our way of life as Native American people. I can’t sit by and watch this happen anymore. There’s lessons to be taught and learned if we want to survive as a Native American community. It’s time we all start to get back to our traditional roots.
Morrin: I can’t pin it down to one issue. There are a number of issues that the Tribal Council has to deal with.
The first issue is creating the best possible environment for the community as a whole—children, adults and Elders—and keeping Grand Portage a safe place for all children, adults and Elders to reside in.
We must provide financial resources to keep our present infrastructure viable.
We must also ensure that our Tribal government keeps in place the protection of our natural resources so Grand Portage continues to be a beautiful place for children to grow up in; for adults and Elders to thrive in. We need to protect our community for us today and for future generations.
Myers: Some of the biggest issues facing Tribal government officials these days are illegal drugs in the community and how to put a stop to this madness as it is affecting the youth of the reservation and others causing family violence, family problems, crime and so on.
The next biggest thing facing the Tribal government officials is upgrading our casino and lodge buildings and inner structure which hasn’t happened for many years now.
Finally, we will need to look at the tribal enrollment procedures as we are a tribe that is made up with a lot of us “Baby Boomers” who are leaving us all the time due to older age.
Take the time to vote on Election Day, June 10, 2014. I would be honored to be your representative. Miigwech.
The Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council is the governing body of Grand Portage. The enrolled members of the band elect the Tribal Council officers. The council oversees health care, social services, education, jobs, housing, public safety, and more.
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