Help Save Sault Tribe Democracy

Hello. I currently serve as the Chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the largest tribe east of the Mississippi. I was re-elected in 2020 with nearly 58% of the vote. I have served as 1st VP for the National Congress of American Indians and continue to serve in several national-level Presidential and administrative appointments. My reputation among my voters and tribes all across the Nation is positive.

Last summer, I pushed for ensuring an equal distribution of our Tribal allocation of Cares Act and Rescue Act relief funds make the way to all of my Tribe's citizens. Tribal Council Members claim this would be illegal. A legal opinion and communication from the US Treasury Department clarified there is no prohibition from serving all tribal citizens equally. I correct a majority of our Tribal Board on this matter.

In retribution, my Tribal Council voted to Censure me, strip me of my National leadership roles and authorized an unlimited expense investigation to find evidence to support the censure or I presume removal from office. This violates our Tribal Constitution and any semblance of due process. The last such investigation of someone other than me was budgeted at over $100,000 so I am facing a David and Goliath situation.

I'm a high school drop out who went on to earn a bachelor's, three master's and a doctorate degree and reached the height of my career goal to serve my people. This is currently in peril and I need help to defend myself.

What is at stake is our very Democracy in my Tribe. If a group of Board Members can overrule nearly 4,000 voters who made me Chairperson, then there simply is no rule of law. My Tribe does not have a Separation of Powers so I simply do not have standing to file a lawsuit for violating our Members' right to choose their elected Chairperson. Help me to Save our Sault Tribe Democracy.