NETT LAKE — Filings are open through 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 for the Bois Forte Tribal Council special election. It is the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa’s second special election this year.
The winning candidate will fill the District I vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Perry Drift. District I represents the Bois Forte Reservation at Nett Lake. The winning candidate will serve the remainder of his term, which ends in 2028.
Drift left the Council on Aug. 12, according to his social media.
“Thank you all for everything. Wishing love and strength to the Bois Forte Nation. Gigawaabaminn Zaagaawininiwag!” he wrote in his resignation announcement.
A Petition for Removal was filed against Drift on Aug. 11. The Timberjay reported Drift was arrested for driving while intoxicated on Aug. 9 in Duluth.
Drift's resignation follows months of turmoil after an April altercation at Fortune Bay Casino.
In the months since, Drift was twice censured by the Tribal Council. The first censure came on May 22 for the Fortune Bay incident, which the censure said resulted in property damage, abuse of power and threats to band members.
“All of which has eroded public trust in the Tribal Council, damaged the reputation of the Tribal Council and the Bois Forte Band. Undermined the tribal traditions and values and inflicted fear among guests and staff of Fortune Bay,” the censure stated.
Drift made a statement at the May 22 Council meeting addressing the incident and apologizing, saying he was “completely and utterly intoxicated out of my mind.”
“That doesn’t excuse it or condone it, but I did realize that I needed help for my addiction and my struggling,” he said. “ ... [Prior to the incident] I was an undiagnosed alcoholic. My addiction ran rampant for years. It started when I was 20. You’re just now seeing it now because when I became an elected official any bit of the personal life that I had was out the window.”
Drift was censured again at the next meeting on June 10 for engaging “in disruptive behavior and dereliction of duties by raising his voice and interrupting presenters, all causing a threatening and intimidating environment,” as well as for raising and his voice and insulting Secretary-Treasurer Tara Geshick in an informal meeting on May 27.
“These actions have further eroded public trust in the Tribal Council, damaged the reputation of the Tribal Council and the Bois Forte Band, undermined tribal traditions and values, and inflicted fear among Bois Forte staff and elected leaders,” the censure stated.
Four ethics complaints were also filed against Drift for violating the Reservation Tribal Council Code of Ethics.
Drift was first elected in 2024. His resignation follows that of Chair Cathy Chavers, who stepped down in January to focus on her mental health. She was replaced by Carlos Hernandez in a June special election.
The band hosted a community meeting earlier this month to discuss whether to appoint someone to fill Drift’s seat or have a special election.
Enrolled band members over 21 who live on the Bois Forte Reservation and want to run for Council can file with Geshick or the band’s executive assistants.
The election is set for Dec. 29. If more than two candidates file, a special primary will be Oct. 28.
