Perry Drift

NETT LAKE— Bois Forte Tribal Council District 1 member Perry Drift resigned on Tuesday morning, three days after being arrested by Duluth police late Saturday evening on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
According to St. Louis County District Court records, Drift was stopped in the 100 block of N 56th Ave. W around 11 p.m. His blood alcohol content was measured at .14, and he was booked into St. Louis County Jail and released on Sunday.
“As of Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, 9 a.m. I am stepping down from the District 1 Representative Seat on the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council,” Drift wrote in a note posted to social media. “I stand before you all with sincere transparency and apologies for my lack of proper representation to the people of Bois Forte. Due to my battle with alcohol addiction, I have decided to remain positive and seek the spiritual help I need to stay on a healthy path. I will strive for healing, reconciliation, and change for the good.”
Controversy has swirled around Drift since his involvement in an altercation at Fortune Bay Resort Casino in April, in which he said in another social media post that he was “highly intoxicated.” He apologized for his actions, took a leave of absence from his council duties, and indicated he would be checking into in a 30-day alcohol treatment program.
While the incident was investigated by authorities, no information was publicly released and there is no indication that any charges were filed as a result. However, a tribal council public notice of censure of Drift passed by a 2-1-0 vote on May 22 stated that Drift’s actions “included damage to property, abuse of power and authority, and making serious threats to Bois Forte Band members and guests through gestures and statements.”
The notice said that Drift’s actions damaged the council and band’s reputations and inflicted fear on Fortune Bay staff and guests.
An ethics violation was also filed against Drift related to the incident and was heard by the Bois Forte Ethics Committee on July 25. After that, the committee sent a request to the tribal council asking for access to Fortune Bay video footage of the incident. At an Aug. 6 tribal council meeting, Drift argued against the release of the footage, stating that ethics committee procedures did not provide authority for such a request, and that granting it would constitute a violation of the band’s Data Privacy Ordinance.
Drift came out on top among six candidates to win the District 1 seat in June 2024. His resignation marks the second major change for the tribal council this year, with former tribal chair Cathy Chavers stepping down from that position in January. Carlos Hernandez defeated Travis Morrison by three votes in a June special election to become the new chair.