CASS LAKE — Six incumbents were ousted by challengers in Tuesday’s regular election among Minnesota Chippewa Tribe member bands Tuesday, June 9.
Candidates in these elections were the top two vote-getters during the March 31 primary. If a candidate received more than 50% of the vote, they were considered the winner without returning to the ballots Tuesday.
The member bands are Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs and White Earth. The Red Lake Nation is not an MCT member due to its unique sovereign status as a closed reservation.
Results posted here are based on unofficial results distributed by MCT member bands, with canvassing of the votes expected to take place by respective tribal election boards by 8 p.m. Wednesday, per MCT’s 2026 election ordinance.
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Bois Forte Band members cast ballots for secretary-treasurer and representatives for District 1, in the Orr area, and District 2, in the Vermillion area.
David C. Morrison Sr. was once again the top vote-getter in the secretary-treasurer's race with 248 votes, or 55.48% of the vote, defeating the incumbent Tara Geshick who received 186, or 41.61%.
Challenger Mildred Holmes earned the most votes in the District 1 race, receiving 129, or 52.02% of the vote, while incumbent District 1 Representative Shane Drift earned 119, or 47.98%.
Incumbent District 2 Representative Robert Moyer Jr. was successful in his reelection campaign with 101 votes, or 54.01% of the vote, defeating challenger Alanna K. Sherman, who received 86, or 45.99%.
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Grand Portage Band members cast ballots for a secretary-treasurer and two at-large committee representatives.
Incumbent Secretary-Treasurer April McCormick was successful in her reelection campaign, earning 140 or 56% of the vote. Her challenger, Levi Libra, earned 110 votes or 44%.
William “Bill” Myers defeated incumbent Toby Stephens in one of the at-large races. Myers earned 134 votes, or 54.03%, while Stephens earned 114, or 45.97%.
Dean Deschampe defeated incumbent Agatha Armstrong in the other at-large race. Deschampe earned 147 votes or 58.57%, while Armstrong received 104, or 41.43%.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Fond du Lac Band members cast ballots for a secretary-treasurer and a representative for District 2, in the Sawyer area.
Incumbent Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Dupuis was successful in his reelection campaign. He earned 321 votes, or 53.68%, compared to challenger Jarvis “Chubbs” Paro, who earned 277 or 46.32%.
Two challengers for the District 2 race previously defeated incumbent representative Brad Blacketter in the primary. Mike Murray won the election Tuesday with 116 votes, or 61.05%, while Daniel G. LaPrairie earned 74, or 38.95%.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Leech Lake Band members cast ballots for a secretary-treasurer and for a District 1 representative, in the Ball Club area.
There was no incumbent in the secretary-treasurer race. Cindy Jackson Kingbird once again earned the most votes for the position, receiving 811 votes or 52.59%. Michael Reyes earned 731, or 47.41%.
Challenger Jonathan White defeated incumbent District 1 representative Kyle Fairbanks. White earned 281 votes, or 56.54%, while Fairbanks earned 216, or 43.46%.
Leech Lake Band members also cast ballots for the tribal housing authority. Brenda White earned the most votes for Housing Authority’s District 1, with 157 or 28.44%, Miguel Reyes in District 2 with 74, or 54.41%, and Don Headbird Sr. in District 3, with 127 or 21.24%.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
In Mille Lacs, two elections were determined in the primary. Sheldon Boyd Sr. won the secretary-treasurer's race with nearly 62% of the vote, and Raina Killspotted earned nearly 58% of the vote for District 2.
Results for the Tuesday election in District 3, between Michelle “Shelly” Pomerleau and Lionel Richey, were not available as of Wednesday afternoon.
White Earth Nation
White Earth Band members cast ballots for secretary-treasurer and two district representatives.
Challenger Jacob McArthur defeated incumbent Michael “Mike” LaRoque. McArthur earned 1,065 votes while LaRoque earned 664.
Incumbent District 1 representative in the Rice Lake area Henry G. Fox won his reelection campaign, earning 198 votes Tuesday. His unsuccessful challenger, Andy “Jack” Auginaush, earned 185.
Eugene Sommers did not file for reelection in District 2, in the Mahnomen area. Alrick “Son” Accobee earned 470 votes, winning the election against Sheri Kay Snetsinger, who earned 235.
Official election results for White Earth were expected to be certified Wednesday afternoon.
-
Plus: the Brainerd City Council is considering a plan to redevelop the City Hall parking lot into a four-story apartment complex. -
Chris Walker/KAXEThe Hibbing Gas Manufacturing Plant was torn down in 1980, but the industrial processes of the past left contamination in the soil, groundwater and nearby surface water. -
Contributed/National Weather ServiceThe Level 3 of 5, or enhanced risk of severe weather, has shifted east to Wisconsin, but much of Northern Minnesota is still at a Level 2 for Wednesday, June 10, 2026. -
Plus: the Brainerd School Board votes to put a levy referendum on the ballot; and the DNR's new electronic licensing system launches.
-
Map/DatawrapperThe Cass County, North Dakota, Coroner's Office reported that TeeJay Alvarez, 31, of Fosston, died June 9, 2026, as a result of injuries from a gunshot wound. -
Contributed/Ely Wolves Track and Field Facebook pageSophomore Violet Udovich of Ely took home two golds and a silver, setting records in the 200 and 400-meter. -
Graphic with Contributed Maps/National Weather ServiceThis means the potential for severe wind gusts of 75-80 mph or more, embedded tornadoes, hail up to the size of golf balls and locally heavy rainfall with flash flooding possible. -
Contributed/Aitkin County Sheriff's OfficeA neighbor on Gun Lake called 911 after hearing calls for help and seeing a person struggling. Other neighbors joined rescue efforts and brough Randy Benson to shore. -
Plus: Causes of BWCAW-area wildfires determined; Brainerd educators reach tentative agreement on overdue contract; and rural Northland athletes take home 87 medals in track and field.
-
Contributed/U.S. Forest Service - Superior National ForestA few wilderness campsites may be closed, but there are no other closures in the Boundary Waters. There is currently a campfire ban within the area because of dry conditions.
