NETT LAKE- In a celebration blending tried and true and bold and new, re-elected Bois Forte Band Chairwoman Cathy Chavers and newly elected District 1 Council Representative Perry Drift were sworn in to office on Tuesday at Nett Lake.
Both candidates survived razor-thin races decided by single-digit margins in June balloting to win election to four-year terms.
Winning a third term as chairwoman gives Chavers the opportunity to build on the experiences and relationships she’s formed with local, state, and federal leaders over the past eight years, and while progress has been made there is still much to be done, she said.
“This isn’t a glory job,” Chavers said. “It’s about the tribe, it’s about Bois Forte and our sovereignty. We have a big job ahead of us, we made great strides, but we have a lot of work to do. I found that out when I was testifying at the state Legislature last year. We know we need to have our voices heard, and heard forever, because we were here first.”
Chavers acknowledged the 32-year-old Drift in her remarks as she made an appeal to younger Band members to get involved in tribal leadership.
“I’m really excited to work with Perry for the next four years,” she said. “He’s very young and he’s willing to learn the culture and the language. We need young people to stand up and come be involved in our government. Those of us who have been around for a long time as elders, we have experience, we have knowledge, and we can help you.”
Drift expressed thanks to all those who voted, and gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“Before the primary, I thought I had no chance in the world,” he said, “but I just threw my name in there, and things started going a certain way. I just really appreciate the whole experience.”
A central theme of Drift’s campaign was to bring more tribal support to the Band’s language and traditional culture, and that was carried out as he took the oath of office by speaking in Anishinaabemowin, led by his grandmother, elder Karen Drift.
“A long time ago the elders told me you should always remember, and I remember today why I’m supposed to be here,” Drift said. “My knowledge actually comes from people who aren’t here anymore, there’s a long list of them, about 12 of them, all fluent-speaking elders. That’s where my knowledge comes from. Now I’m speaking for them.”
When asked about the close election, Chavers acknowledged that the need for change was a message she found in the outcome.
“A lot of people sometimes feel that there needs to be a change in leadership at certain times,” she said. “People voice their concerns and their opinions through the election process. I think it shows that the people are really trying to have their voices heard, and we have to really look at that.”
Drift believes his election also reflects a desire for change.
“I feel like they wanted a fresher perspective,” he said. “A lot of people were kind of surprised and amazed to see a younger person step up into the spotlight.”
Chavers responded to a question about what she sees as a top priority for the tribal council in upcoming months by referencing the Band’s rights under the 1854 Treaty.
“I think the 1854 Treaty, protecting that while ensuring that Bois Forte is compensated fairly for giving up our hunting and fishing rights, for entering that state agreement,” she said. “Protecting our natural resources is number one.”
Drift emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of Band members who live off the Bois Forte Reservation.
“For myself as the District 1 representative, and I’m speaking just for myself and not the tribal council, I feel like the number one priority is helping our band members off the reservation,” he said. “Our resources are very precious to us, so finding a way to equitably help out all of the Band is what I want to see as our number one priority.”
Drift also emphasized the need to get more Band members engaged in the electoral process.
“We hope to see more people vote in the future,” he said. “I think it was only a little over 300 out of 3,500 who actually cast a vote. I want to boost those numbers in the future, get more opinions, more voices involved. Votes do matter in every election.”