Swearing-In serves as a marker in time - Band Assembly 2022

By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe swore in three members to its Band Assembly, and one school board member, in a ceremony at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Convention Center on July 12. Sheldon Boyd was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer, Wendy Merrill is the incoming District II Representative, Harry Davis is the incoming District III Representative, and Joe Nayquonabe Sr. was re-elected to the Nay Ah Shing School Board.

“This swearing in, these changes in power serve as markers in time,” re-elected Secretary-Treasurer Sheldon Boyd said during his speech at the ceremony. “Voting in elections is how people keep pushing government and remind elected leaders that it’s about servitude, not power.”

Boyd praised the staff in the Legislative Branch for their continued hard work and dedication. He welcomed the newly elected District Representatives Wendy Merrill and Harry Davis. He also took a moment to speak towards the onward officials of the Band Assembly. “I would like to recognize and thank Wally St. John and Marvin Bruneau for their service to the people of the Band and just being good guys to work with. Where in Marvin’s case his years of service have spanned four decades.”

Boyd recalled the markers of the last four years and his first term in office. “There was a first-ever Mille Lacs Investment Review, a world-wide Covid-19 Pandemic, causing both our gaming facilities to close the doors. There was George Floyd, masks, vaccinations, no masks, boosters, a presidential election in 2020 and an aftermath that puts to test the democracy of the United States. And most recently a decision by the supreme court that affects women across the country,” Boyd said.

He continued, “Through all this, what I remember is how people reacted; the gaming facilities retooling to provide lunches, the Tribal Emergency Response Committee in full response mode making Mille Lacs Government a model of efficiency and cooperation, the loss of many so dear to our communities. And now a local county court battle started over public safety that included the 1855 Reservation boundary as a factor.”

The next four years, among important tasks included by Band Statute, Band Assembly will see the follow-through of the Institutional Investment Committee to represent the interests of the people of the Mille Lacs Band in the management of the investments. Boyd said, “The proper management of the investment portfolio is new ground with checks and balances clearly outlined in Band statute where none existed before.”

But there are “things that money can’t fix,” Boyd said. “Money can’t fix a branded history in this country and an educational system that continuously produces professionals and politicians with a blind spot toward Indigenous people worldwide. Money can’t readily repair a technological and scientific system that perpetuates that blind spot for Indigenous peoples and people of color. That’s going take time. That is the individual journey ahead where hard work, kindness, and health must be our choice.”

District II Representative Wend Merrill said she sought office “to make our communities a better place and to be your voice.” She said miigwech to those who supported her throughout the election and gave special recognition to several community members who are already making a difference: Adrienne Benjamin, Mic Davis, Brenda Moose, Sherraine White, Cheyanne Peet, Melanie Garbow, “and Marvin Bruneau, who showed us a common man can be an uncommon leader.”

To all of her constituents, she pledged: “I will show up for you every day.”

District III Representative Harry Davis also thanked all who supported him during the campaign and expressed his gratitude for being elected. His goals for the next four years include “Exceeding all our expectations to enjoy a better life, keep our language and culture programs strong, and improve our Elder and youth programs.”

School Board member Joe Nayquonabe Sr. also took a few moments to say a few words entirely in Ojibwe expressing his gratitude.