Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Head Won't Seek Re-Election

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's Chief Executive, Melanie Benjamin, will step down following the conclusion of her fifth term, ending one of the longest Chief Executive tenures in the tribe's history.

Benjamin announced Thursday morning that she wouldn't seek re-election in 2024. That means a new Chief will be elected in June and take office in July.

"Serving as Chief Executive for my Band has been the greatest honor of my life," Benjamin said in a statement. "I love public service, but I have now accomplished what I first set out to do as Chief Executive. I learned from Art Gahbow, our past Chief Executive, that one of the most important jobs of any leader is to prepare the next generation to take over. That has been a focus of my work, and I am very proud of our new warriors. They are now ready to lead our tribe with vision and skill. I've done my duty. And I've concluded it is time for me to pass on the torch."

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/mille-lacs-band-of-ojibwe-head-won-t-seek-re-election