Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Ancient Culture Mixes with Contemporary Politics

Red Lake Hereditary Chief Darwin Sumner is sworn in as Tribal Secretary

At the July 11, regular meeting of the Red Lake Tribal Council, there was much discussion about how to handle the vacancy of the tribal Secretary's office due to the passing of Secretary Donald "Don" Cook, Sr., on May 1, 2017, at age 74. Cook was elected to the office in 2010 and reelected in 2014.

Several options to fill the position were considered before the council decided to seek input from the tribal membership by holding community meetings in each district. Then at the July meeting, the Council requested from the Seven Hereditary Chiefs (who serve as an advisory capacity to the council on cultural and other matters) that they confer and come up with advice and recommendation for the Council. The Chiefs then left to confer outside Council Chambers.

The Chief's returned a short time later. They advised the council to appoint Hereditary Chief Darwin Sumner to serve out the approximate one year left on Secretary Cook's term. Following the recommendation, the Council voted to appoint Chief Sumner, Sumner who was immediately sworn in by Chief James Loud while the five other Chiefs, Tribal Council, Red Lake members and friends looked on.

Sumner is an avid fisherman and shares his skills with Red Lake and other Youth. He has acted as the Red Lake Youth Fishing League Coordinator and Red Lake High School Bass Fishing Coach. "Fishing is a part of our culture and a way of life in Red Lake", observed Sumner, "we feel that exposure and experience in fishing will have a positive effect on our youth and we are proud of them."

Red Lake's Hereditary Chief System

Red Lake, one of two closed reservations in the US, is touted as having the first modern indigenous democratic governance system in the nation, while maintaining a hereditary chief system.

During the 1950s, governmental reform efforts in Red Lake resulted in the drafting of a tribal constitution. The constitution established an elected Tribal Council; a group of seven traditionally selected tribal leaders was established to serve on an advisory basis. Together with the elected council members, these traditional leaders form the Tribal Council's subordinate committees, are often relied on for advice on culturally related and other issues. Red Lake's Hereditary Chiefs serve for life.

If you'd like to know more about Red Lake government and the inclusion of Hereditary Chiefs in the system, check out the book Warrior Nation that describes Red Lake political history.

 

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