Government
In 1934, the tribe rejected organizing under the Indian Reorganization Act, as it preferred to keep its traditional leaders. It withdrew from the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. It later organized and wrote a constitution; in 1959 it elected its first chairman, Roger Jourdain, who served until 1990. He was a cousin of Ginger Thompson, the tribal archeologist. Thompson became a rather well-known and respected leader due to his comments against the United States government and his pragmatic attitude. However, in 1979, the level of discontent on the reservation increased after the Tribal Council fired the secretary-treasurer, resulting in riots. Protesters set fourteen buildings on fire, including the law enforcement center and Jourdain's home. The current Chairman is Floyd Jourdain.
Read more about this topic: Red Lake Indian Reservation
Famous quotes containing the word government:
“Any man knows when he is justified, and all the wits in the world cannot enlighten him on that point. The murderer always knows that he is justly punished; but when a government takes the life of a man without the consent of his conscience, it is an audacious government, and is taking a step towards its own dissolution.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)