DOWAGIAC, MI – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana announced the election of new Tribal Council Members who were sworn in on Saturday, August 9. Gary Morseau Sr. was re-elected Vice Chair, Anita Morales has been elected Member At Large, and Erin Topash Burggraf was elected Member At Large. Member At Large, Rhonda Keene and Member at Large, Mark Parrish completed three-year terms.
The Pokagon Tribal Council is responsible for the sovereign government of the Pokagon Band and contains 11 members who are elected to staggered three-year terms by Pokagon Citizens. Any adult Pokagon Citizen can run for Tribal Council. Within the Tribal Council, the executive officers include positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Pokagon Tribal Council Members also serve on the Pokagon Gaming Authority, which oversees the Pokagon Band’s Four Winds Casinos.
“I would like to thank outgoing Members At Large, Rhonda Keene and Mark Parrish for their years of service,” said Tribal Council Chairman Matthew Wesaw. “Both want the best for our people and have worked hard serving as elected officials and as tribal citizens. I fully expect them to stay engaged. I would also like to congratulate Vice Chair, Gary Morseau on his reelection, Anita Morales on her return to Tribal Council, and Erin Topash Burggraf on her election. I look forward to working closely with our Tribal Council on the priorities of our Tribal Nation.”
Other members of the 11-member Tribal Council continuing their terms include Matthew Wesaw, Chairman; Alex Wesaw, Treasurer; Sam Morseau, Secretary: Andrew Bennett, Member At Large; John Morseau, Member At Large; Victor Warren, Member At Large; and John P. Warren, Elders Rep.
