FDL leader seeks 'healthier community'

There are no term limits for Reservation Business Committee members, once elected by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa band members. That does not guarantee a lifelong career for those who hold office when band members decide to make a change, as happened with two of the three seats in the June 11 election.

Newly elected RBC chairman Bruce Savage and returning District I Cloquet representative Wally Dupuis were officially sworn into office Friday, July 5, while Earl Otis, the new District II (Brookston) representative, took the oath of office Tuesday, July 9. The leaders also met with community members after the ceremonies, both at the RBC chambers at FDL Tribal Center in Cloquet.

Asked what is the most important thing he hopes to achieve while in office, Savage focused on the people. “A safer, healthier community,” he said. “Get recognition for our community members who are living a healthy life, [which is] a continual enrichment in our community.”

Savage’s dedication to the Ojibwe language and to family and youth was displayed by his selecting Ojibwe language program manager William Howes III to deliver the oath in Ojibwe, followed by an English translation by Adrian Savage, the new chairman’s grandson.

District I representative Wally Dupuis had family members in the chambers as his oath was delivered by his brother William Dupuis.

Otis was sworn in on Tuesday, July 9, in tribal chambers with his daughter Abigail Otis administering his oath of office. Otis’s students from the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School were present for the ceremony. The remaining two seated positions held by secretary/treasurer Robert Abramowski and District III (Sawyer) representative Brad Blacketter are not due for election for another two years.

Two outgoing committee members were on hand Friday to congratulate Savage and Dupuis. One was Kevin Dupuis Sr., the two-term tribal chairman, and the other was Brookston district representative Roger M. Smith Sr.

In a revelation that heralds a smooth and supportive transition of leadership, Savage said the Dupuis had encouraged him to take his oath of office early so he could attend in an official capacity the Tribal Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, July 8. The committee members include the leaders and secretary/treasurer from each of the six bands comprising the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

In an interview Monday with the Pine Knot, Savage said “perseverance and hard work” played a role in his election, but credited the voters.

“It’s up to the community to decide whether I deserve to be here,” he said, adding that his family, and some Fond du Lac elders, encouraged him to run. “In the future, I hope more people will consider these positions. Because too much of one thing isn’t always good.”

After the ceremonies Friday and Tuesday, the new officials joined others waiting in the overflow waiting area in the community center gymnasium for meet-and-greets.

Anticipating change, Band members asked about housing, language and culture, along with economic development issues, youth and elder services, and health and safety concerns.

Committee members Wally Dupuis named as priorities working on elder housing and finalizing the transfer of land at the forestry center back to Fond du Lac. Brad Blacketter said he would like to see an extended language camp started up again, like the one that was an annual event at Kiwenz Campground until 2019, when it was discontinued. Many constituents are asking for the camp to restart.

Abramowski said his priority is to review tasks with the new administration and go on with the pending business. These statements tie back to the questions posed by band members the past week.

Savage said his top priorities are affordable housing, youth mentorship programs, environmental issues, Ojibwemowin (language), educational opportunities for youth, young families support, and an increase in public safety within the community and the surrounding areas.

He gave one example of a threat to public safety. “With the pipeline removal, there is a lot of heavy traffic, heavy equipment, and they seem to not have a regard for the speed limit or passing zones. That poses a safety hazard for people.”

When asked about dealing with conflict, and varying views when trying to find solutions, handling disagreements, and the best way to meet resistance, Savage said he’s always willing to learn something new.

I don’t believe I’m always right,” he said. “We have to listen to everyone’s point of view and not make a rash decision. Appreciate everyone’s point of view. I like to be proven wrong, because then you always learn something.”

In response to a question about creating close connections with the communities surrounding the reservation, Savage said he would “educate them to the best of my ability, or their acceptance, of the 11 tribes within the state of Minnesota, and that this has always been our homeland.”

When asked, “What does ‘unity’ look like to you?” Savage was succinct: “Unity to me

looks like respect for each other,” he said.