White Earth chairwoman stripped of powers

MAHNOMEN, Minn. -- White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor has been censured --essentially stripping her of her power to lead-- by the a committee of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

This decision does not mean she loses her position as White Earth chairperson, but it clears the path for the White Earth Tribal Council to vote on whether or not to oust her. A hearing will be held at White Earth in the next couple of months, but a date has not yet been set. The White Earth tribe has only about a week left to schedule a hearing to be held within 60 days that will call for the removal or recall of Vizenor.

The decision last week was made in a vote of 10 to 1 with one member abstaining. Votes were cast by the chairpersons and secretary-treasurers of the six bands that make up the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, which is the umbrella organization that White Earth falls under.

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