This month voters in the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians (GTB) reelected to the GTB’s seven-member Tribal Council incumbent Tribal Councilor Tina Frankenberger and incumbent Tribal Councilor Brian Napont; and elected former Tribal Councilor Jane A. Rohl. Six total candidates ran for three seats in the May 10 election.

Each elected Tribal Councilor serves a four-year term staggered with elections every two years. The current Tribal Chairman, David Arroyo, was elected in 2020 with a term expiring in 2024.

At a special meeting Monday, tribal council members named Robert Kewaygoshkum as Tribal Council Vice Chair, Donna M. Swallows as Tribal Council Treasurer, and Theresa M. Marshall as Tribal Council Secretary.

Other appointments made Monday:

Natural Resources & Environmental Committee: Brian S. Napont as Chairman, and Tina A. Frankenberger as Vice Chair.
Ex-Officio on the Gaming Commission: Robert Kewaygoshkum
Economic Development Corporation Chair: Donna M. Swallows
Economic Development Corporation Vice Chair: Robert Kewaygoshkum
Grand Traverse Band LLC Board: Theresa M. Marshall and Jane Rohl
Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Liaison: Theresa M. Marshall
Bay Mills Board of Regents: Tina A. Frankenberger
Great Lakes Fishery Trust: Brian S. Napont

The Tribal Council also serves as the board of the Grand Traverse Band’s Economic Development Corporation, overseeing the tribal casinos and other economic entities. The goals and objectives of the Tribal Council of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, a Sovereign Nation, “is to honor our ancestors and strive to empower the wellbeing of our present and future members. Our ultimate goal is to advance our Nation into an era of increased governmental vigilance that promotes and protects culture, sovereignty, health, education, treaty rights, natural resources, and financial stability.”

Pictured above Tribal Council members: Vice Chair Robert Kewaygoshkum; Treasurer Donna M. Swallows; Councilor Jane Rohl; Secretary Theresa M. Marshall. Not pictured: Chairman David Arroyo, Councilor Brian S. Napont; Councilor Tina A. Frankenberger