DOWAGIAC, MI – The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan and Indiana has announced the election of its new Tribal Council members who were sworn in on Saturday, August 8. John Morseau was elected Treasurer, James Gideon Jr. was elected Member At Large, Alex Wesaw was elected Member At Large, and Steven Winchester was elected Member At Large. Member At Large, Andrew Bennett, and Member At Large, Victor Warren, completed three-year terms and did not seek reelection.
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 provided they meet the constitutional requirements. Within the Tribal Council, the executive officers include positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Pokagon Band 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, Andrew Bennett and Victor Warren, 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 advocating for our Pokagon Citizens. I fully expect them to stay engaged. I would also like to congratulate John Morseau on his election from Member At Large to Treasurer, as well as Alex Wesaw, moving from Treasurer to Member At Large. Steve Winchester is returning to Tribal Council after a short break and Jim Gideon has been elected to Tribal Council for the first time, both as Members At Large. 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; Gary Morseau Sr., Vice Chairman; Sam Morseau, Secretary; Erin Burggraf, Member At Large; Anita Morales, Member At Large; Mark Topash, Member At Large; and John P. Warren, Elders Representative.
