Voters in the Harbor Springs-area tribe, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, have chosen to replace Frank Ettawageshik with Ken Harrington.
Harrington says he wants to promote the use of wind as a source of power within the tribe. But the main election issue seems to have been jobs.
"I mean Michigan is in a bad state of economics," Harrington says. "I really want to promote our jobs for our tribal citizens, and make available at the casino for them, the government."
Harrington says he wants to make it easier for members to get jobs at tribal government and casino operations. He would also like at least one more tribal member in senior leadership at the Odawa Casino Resort.
Current Chairman Frank Ettawageshik says it's a tough year for incumbents in Michigan. Ettawageshik has been in tribal leadership for 20 years, 14 of those years as chair.
"And I have congratulated him on his win, and have told him that I will work on a smooth transition between our administration and his. And we'll be working on that as we get closer to the swearing in date of August 23rd."
The results won't be certified until July 13th. Barring any challenges, Harrington will take the helm August 23rd.
Harrington is also asking Emmet County for permission to build a commercial wind turbine on his Petoskey-area property. He says he plans to put that request on hold for a few months, as he assumes leadership of the Indian nation.
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