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Erma Vizenor is new White Earth tribal leader
by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio
June 9, 2004

Erma Vizenor is the first woman to be elected leader of Minnesota's largest Ojibwe Band. (MPR photo/Dan Gunderson)

The White Earth Band of Ojibwe has a new leader. Erma Vizenor is the first woman to be elected tribal chair at White Earth. She defeated former long time tribal chairman Chip Wadena, who was convicted in 1996 for bid rigging and misusing tribal funds. Vizenor says she wants to improve conditions on the poverty stricken reservation. But some on the northwestern Minnesota reservation question her ability to lead.

White Earth, Minn. — On the day after her victory at the polls, Erma Vizenor says she's energized despite not sleeping a wink on election night.

"I came home at six o'clock and the phone started ringing about a quarter to seven and it's been ringing ever since," says Vizenor.

Erma Vizenor grew up at White Earth, then left to attend college. She returned to teach school. In the late 1980's she became a vocal critic of then tribal chairman Chip Wadena. She protested against alleged corruption in tribal government,and once was jailed after a takeover of the tribal headquarters.

After Wadena was convicted on federal corruption charges, Vizenor was appointed tribal secretary-treasurer. She won election to one term, but was defeated in 2002.

"I'm so excited that I'm the first woman chair of the tribe," says Vizenor. "I just pray I'll live up to the example that I will be to young girls and all children. I came out of the same environment, the same poverty they did."

She's savoring the victory, but Erma Vizenor knows the next four years won't be easy.

High rates of unemployment, stifling poverty, and political turmoil will make it difficult to achieve her goal of improving life for tribal members.

	Chip Wadena campaign sign

Vizenor won the election because of a strong showing among absentee voters. The votes of reservation residents were almost evenly split, with Wadena taking a slight lead. But Vizenor won nearly all of the absentee votes, which swung the election in her favor.

She expects some on the reservation will challenge everything she does. She knows many Wadena supporters hope she fails.

Vizenor says critical needs on the reservation are jobs, housing and better schools. But reforming the tribal constitution is also high on her agenda. She says no entrepreneurs will invest on the reservation until there is a stable tribal government.

"I wouldn't invest in a place where in four years you may be chased off the reservation," says Vizenor.

"There has to be security for industry to come here and develop. We can have wonderful tax credits and all kinds of tax breaks for companies but we also need the other systems in place."

Vizenor says the tribe needs separation of powers instead of the five person Tribal Business Committee that now runs the reservation. She also wants the constitution to guarantee an independent judiciary.

I am going to work hard to unite people. I will serve all the people whether they voted for me or not. I want to unite the tribe and bring people together. - Erma Vizenor

Vizenor says if the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe does not move forward on constitutional reform, she will call a constitutional convention at White Earth to push reforms.

Constitutional reform would also likely prevent Chip Wadena from running again for tribal office. The current constitution does not prevent a convicted felon from holding office.

Wadena was allowed to run for office this year despite his federal conviction for bid rigging and misappropriation of tribal funds.

Chip Wadena did not respond to repeated interview requests from Minnesota Public Radio. His blue and white VOTE CHIP campaign signs still dot the reservation landscape. Many of his supporters wouldn't talk about the election. Some say they fear retribution.

A construction worker in White Earth who didn't want to give his name says he's not expecting much improvement with a change of leadership.

"It's politics, making promises, breaking promises. We'll have to see what she does. Everybody that runs for office makes promises, so far I haven't seen one (fulfilled)yet."

Other workers standing nearby nod in agreement. In the tiny reservation town of Ogema, Minn., Eugene Clark is proud of his VOTE CHIP lawn sign. Clark says he's disappointed Wadena lost the election.

The retired deputy sheriff says Wadena is an honorable man who was railroaded by the federal government.

"I know what he's done for the reservation. We wouldn't be what we are today without Chip Wadena. We wouldn't have the clinic. We wouldn't have the casino. We wouldn't have the sports complex. We wouldn't have a lot of the programs that are here," says Clark.

Clark will give Erma Vizenor a chance to prove herself, but he doesn't like the fact Vizenor has a degree from Harvard.

"My only problem with Erma is once she gets in there she'll be Dr. Erma. My thinking is she wants to be above the people once she's the leader," says Clark.

Erma Vizenor will take office July 13th. She'll have four years to win over the doubters like Eugene Clark. Vizenor says she will make an effort to reach out to everyone on the reservation. She promises to be an open, accessible leader. She also plans to open a tribal office in Minneapolis, where thousands of White Earth members live.

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