Red Lake Nation announces election results, chairman elected to fourth term
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Red Lake Nation citizens voted this week in elections for leadership positions, including tribal chairman and three district representatives.
The tribal nation holds elections every four years, with polling places in Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah and Minneapolis.
Official results of the election were announced Thursday.
Incumbent Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr. held onto his position for a fourth term in the runoff election against Floyd “Buck” Jourdain. Jourdain served as chairman from 2004 to 2014.
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According to results released by Red Lake Nation's election board, Seki received 54.9 percent of the vote while Jourdain received 45.1 percent.
“I am so humbled and thankful to you all for voting in this election. I am looking forward to serving you all for the next four years. Let’s continue to move forward,” Seki said in a social media post Thursday morning. “We’re all on the same journey, no matter who you voted for. Let’s continue as one, to get things done.”
The result comes after a general election held in late May, in which Jourdain was ahead of Seki by 15 votes.
“Thank you for believing in me and my campaign. It has been an honor to champion your causes,” Jourdain posted. “I gave it my all, but in the end, it just wasn't enough. For the past four months, I have proudly served as an instrument for your voices speaking truth to power.”
Band members voted for district representatives in Ponemah, Red Lake and Little Rock.
Incumbent Eugene R. StandingCloud will lead the Ponemah district. StandingCloud received 56.34 percent of the vote against opponent Delwyn Holthusen Jr., who received 43.66 percent.
Leading the Red Lake district, Clem H. May Sr. won with 61.47 percent of the vote while opponent David F. Desjarlait took 38.53 percent.
Lisa R. Beaulieu received 58.73 percent of the vote for the Little Rock district representative against opponent Michelle Barrett-Cobenais, who received 41.27 percent support.
Newly elected leaders will be sworn in at the next Red Lake Nation tribal council meeting.
Tribal Secretary Robert L. May, Treasurer Vernelle Lussier and Redby District Representative Harold Graves Jr. were elected to their positions in May. They were sworn in at an official ceremony at the beginning of June.
Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.
