LCO Tribal Members Shatter Records in County Elections

Five LCO Ojibwe Indians garnered 1,181 votes in the Sawyer County and Hayward School Board election held recently on April 1st.

The Sawyer County Record declared in their headline story a victory for two of the tribal candidates as it was the first time in history of the 130 year old county in which multiple Ojibwe Indians had run for county office positions. Successful in their bids for county government were Brian Bisonette and Joel Valentin, who ran against non-Indian incumbents in the Town of Bass Lake. Bisonette defeated his foe by a 90 vote margin for a District 9 seat on the County Board while Valentin easy distanced two non-Indians for Town of Bass Lake supervisor.

Trina Starr gathered 614 votes in her second bid for a Hayward School Board membership, falling just 61 votes short in her campaign. Ojibwe Indians are a small demographic minority in the school district population and success would require a political cross-over in future elections.

Karen Breit fell just 34 votes short in her bid to unseat her opponent Ron Kinsley for a position on the County Board for District 13 (Hunter Township) and Valerie Barber lost by only twenty votes in her contest for County Board in Hayward District 5 as she ran as a “write in” candidate.

In an off year election, a handful of more tribal voters here and there could have made all the difference for the tribal candidates in the 2014 campaign.

The State of Wisconsin gerrymandered Sawyer County voting districts about one hundred years ago so that the Township of Reserve (LCO) was split up into five other townships, thereby making Indians a minority in each of those new five districts. LCO tribal members have never expressed interest in serving in county government since 1915, until this year.

County and township supervisors make vital decisions that affect the lives of the estimated three thousand Ojibwe Indians living in Sawyer County and a handful of tribal members said this year for the first time: “Enough is enough…it's time we get involved in making decisions that will benefit our people.”
The candidates are already planning the next round of county-wide election.

LCO Tribal Members Running for County Board, Township, School Board

by Rick St. Germaine

Karen Breit is running for County Board in the 13th District of Sawyer County. People of New Post need to get out the vote to support her. She comes from the Fleming family. She only needs 175 votes to win. The Tribe needs representatives on the County Board. Election polling sites are in Hunter and Radisson on Tuesday, April 1st.

Brian Bisonette has a world view and organizational understanding that makes him a valued leader in any setting. His contribution to County and Town leadership is way overdue. Boulevard, Co Hwy K, KTown, Co Hwy E to north Reserve, School House Road … let's elect one of our own to the County Board. Vote at Bass Lake Town Hall in Northwoods Beach on April 1.

Trina Starr is one of the best minds and hearts we have at LCO. She came close to winning the last election for School Board at Hayward. Let's show Sawyer County the power of the pen! Vote for Trina Starr on April 1. Our children deserve Indian representation on the School Board.

Valerie Barber carries her father's wisdom and intellect. Her mother was a model of Ojibwe tradition and dignity. Valerie is a revered military Veteran, a talented educator, human service provider, and leader of our Tribe. She will represent everyone.

Related Links

• Sawyer County Wisconsin Supervisory Districts
• Sawyer County Wisconsin Polling Locations