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.
In the District 3 race, Michelle “Shelly” Pomerleau defeated Lionel Richey, earning 103 votes to his 60, or 63.19% to 36.81%.
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.
Editor's note: This story was updated on June 11, 2026, to reflect official results from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
-
Contributed/National Weather Service Forecast Office DuluthWhile it is expected to cool off slightly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, temperatures will stay high enough that additional heat advisories may be put in place. -
Contributed/via InciWebNearly 9,000 acres are estimated to be burning in the BWCA as of July 13, 2026, and the closure is for public safety. The Boundary Waters is not expected to fully reopen this summer. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXESevere drought is present in at least 11% of Minnesota and another 18% is in moderate drought. The drought conditions are mostly seen in Northern Minnesota. -
Contributed/RDNE Stock project via PexelsPrairie Pines Childcare Center, the Northland Foundation and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation were awarded grants from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. -
Even with green plants and recent rainfall, large portions of the Northland are classified as in moderate or severe drought. -
And: Four Northland organizations recieve child care grants; men encouraged to wear sunscreen and get skin checks; and Eveleth plans to replace the "Big Stick."
-
Contributed/InciWebThe U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026. -
And: Minnesota partners hope opioid prevention success spreads to youth; and a community storytelling initiative aims to capture recovery stories in St. Louis County.
-
Contributed/Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation DistrictThe plan will guide the implementation of voluntary conservation projects and programs in the northeastern Minnesota watershed over the next decade. -
Contributed/Towfiqu barbhuiya via PexelsA foundation coordinating with local partners says the opioid crisis isn't over, and a new Minnesota grant is an example of the urgency felt in preventing youth tragedies.
