Tim Sumner Sworn-In As Beltrami County Commissioner - P2

Something interesting happened at the swearing in ceremony for newly elected Beltrami County Commissioner Tim Sumner on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Held at the County Administration Building, two cultures met nearly filling the County Board room. About half were friends and relatives of Sumner from Red Lake, the other half about half were county program directors and other county staff.

Most of the Red Lakers had never seen county swearing in ceremony, and most of the non-Indians had never seen a Red Lake honor ceremony.

At about 4:30, County Administrator Kay Mack took the microphone and asked county employees to introduce themselves to the new Commissioner. The new commissioner took a place near the center of the room, while smiling employees lined up to greet and congratulate Sumner.

Soon, a traditional ceremony of respect would be performed by Sumner's friends following the normal swearing-in conducted by a district judge.

First, Ponemah Elder Delores Cloud Hammit explained to all those assembled the protocol for celebrating Sumner's swearing-in in a Red Lake traditional manner. Then former Red Lake Cultural Director Bill May explained the meaning of the smudge. May greeted the crowd first in Ojibwe, then translated into English, his words no less than a prayer.

Shortly after 5:00 p.m, Judge Shari R. Schluchter, dressed in judicial robes, conducted the county swearing in ceremony. First to be sworn in would be re-elected Commissioner Jim Lucachick, followed by newly elected Commissioner Tim Sumner. Both raised their right hands and took oaths to uphold the United States and Minnesota constitutions while serving the people.

The sage now lit emitting its distinct bouquet, May took a place at the front left, while Sumner and Lucachick stood to the right. May invited all in the room to greet the newly sworn in commissioners and to smudge opening one more door to racial/cultural understanding. "This is not just for "us," explained May, "this is for all, and for Commissioner Lucachick as well."

Off to the side, Don Kingbird sang an honor song accompanied by his hand drum, while Indian and non-Indian - chatting informally – moved slowly to the forefront to shake hands with the two commissioners…and to be smudged.

Sumner wore a traditional Red Lake Nation Honor or Ribbon Shirt throughout the ceremony and the meeting to follow. One could sense the pride of Sumner's family members and friends as they greeted the new commissioner with handshakes and hugs, some of whom were visibly moved.

The county administration building being relatively new, has never had smoke of any kind in it's building…smoking forbidden by state law for many years. To her credit Mack, who is familiar with Red Lake tradition through her former role as County Auditor, agreed to honor the culture of the Anishinaabeg and encouraged the smudge. This added ceremony of Indian culture was the first time any such thing has occurred in a county building.

This writer found the ceremony reminiscent of when Thomas "Tommy J." Stillday was sworn in as Chaplin of the state senate back in the mid-nineties. It was first time in 50 years a pipe was on the senate floor. Then as now, this type of ceremony is important for Indian people, but it was also very important for the non-Indians present...to learn more of this culture that surrounds them. And they were pleased. Three were smiles all around, nearly all non-Indians participating in the ceremony and the smudge.

Many non-Indians have tribal roots in Europe, but those are long forgotten having been lost hundreds of years ago. One county employee mentioned that it reminded her of her own ancestors. "What I saw today reminded me of my own long ago history of being of a tribal community," she said. "Perhaps some in the room did not realize it, but they felt it. You could see it in their smiling eyes. They thought it was very cool to honor those who have achieved something, and now those so honored realize more their responsibility to the people. People crave for ceremony at a primal level. It's in our DNA in my view," she concluded.

After the ceremony, Sumner took his seat next to Commissioner Anderson for a meeting with a short agenda, Commissioners Frost and Vene being on travel. Most of the crowd stayed to hear Sumner make his first motion as a commissioner. "Do I hear a motion to adjourn?" asked Anderson. "So moved," said Sumner.

Sumner gathered his family go out for dinner to celebrate following the meeting and swearing-in. After a toast, Sumner gave thanks to family and volunteers who worked and supported his candidacy. He promised to work hard for the all peoples.

About Tim

In what may be the another "Red Lake First," two Red Lake Nation members vied for a seat on the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners. "It very well could be the very first time in state history that two American Indians have competed for a non-tribal office in a general election," said former county auditor now county administrator Kay Mack.

This might be tantamount to the first time we have two women running for governor or president, A step forward for racial equality. Mack said that she believes Sumner to be the youngest person ever elected to the County Board.

Sumner is the third commissioner in a row from Red Lake. He defeated Quentin Fairbanks, a Red Lake member who served three terms or 12 years. Fairbanks' predecessor Sandra King, served only one term (1996-2000). King was the first American Indian in the state of Minnesota to be elected as a County Commissioner.

Sumner is engaged to be married to Rhiannon Barrett, they have four children - one son and three daughters. He grew up in Ponemah and graduated from Red Lake High School. Tim is an AmeriCorps Alumnus, and is a current member and former officer of the Red Lake Political Education Committee. (RLPEC)

Twenty-eight years of age, Sumner comes from a family of eight. He has six sisters and one brother. His grandfather served on the Tribal Council at one time, and his Grandmother served on the School Board. "I come from a background of folks who believe in public service," said Sumner. Commissioner Sumner invites all to contact him freely by phone, email, and to check out his facebook site from time to time.

Commissioner Tim Sumner

P.O. Box 712

Redby, MN 56670

218-407-7024

timsumner15@hotmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/timsumnercountycommissioner

Communities in District 4

City of Blackduck

City of Funkley

City of Kelliher

Townships: Battle, Benville, Cormant, Hamre, Hines, Hornet, Kelliher, Langor, Lee, Minnie, Quiring, Shooks, Shotley, Spruce Grove, Steenerson, Unorganized Lower Red Lake, Unorganized Upper Red Lake, Unorganized North Beltrami, Unorganized Shotley Brook, Waskish and Woodrow

Sumner Committee Appointments

Association of MN Counties (including Environment & Natural Resource Policy Committee)

Bemidji Area Race Relations Council

Blackduck Ambulance

Ditch Committees

Joint Powers Natural Resource Board

Old Kelliher School

Kitchigmi Regional Library Board

Greater Bemidji (Alternate)

Red Lake Game Fund Committee

Red River Basin Joint Powers Board

Veternas Home Task Force (Alternate)

State and Federal Legislative Activities