Meet The Candidates Moving Forward In Grand Traverse Band’s Tribal Council Elections

Election board officials of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians shared the results of its primary election held on April 5. 

Tribal member voters narrowed a field of 10 candidates running for three seats on the seven-member Tribal Council. Once election results are certified, the six candidates will move forward in the general election scheduled for May 10. Each elected Tribal Councilor serves a four-year term serving the GTB membership. The Tribal Council’s ultimate goal is to advance their Sovereign Nation into an era of increased governmental vigilance that promotes and protects culture, sovereignty, health, education, treaty rights, natural resources, and financial stability.

Current Tribal Chairman David Arroyo was elected in 2020 with a term expiring in 2024.

The six candidates for the May 10 election:

Tina Frankenberger currently serves as a Tribal Council member and is Vice Chair of GTB Natural Resources & Environmental Committee. She has a BS degree in Fisheries & Wildlife from Michigan State University and worked for GTB Natural Resource Department as a fisheries biologist. Food sovereignty, Indigenous seed keeping, fairness and equality are her core values.

Cynthia John is a Tribal Fisher and has operated a family-owned commercial fishery with her husband Ed since the 1980s. She has also worked in various GTB positions including Youth Services, Elder Aide, Librarian, and the Planning Department secretary before and during Federal Recognition.

Anna Miller’s experience includes management-level gaming and human resources with GTB. She considers diversification; education and employment of GTB members; and treaty fishing rights and water protection important issues moving forward.

Brian Napont currently serves as a Tribal Councilor. He lists experience with Tribal constitution, Tribal ordinances, and federal and state treaties among his qualifications. He holds a BIA Water Resources from New Mexico State University, HVACIR and construction management certificates from Northwest Michigan College. He also has a degree in Business Administration and is a Master of Business MBA candidate at Ferris State University.

Jane Rohl is a GTB Tribal Elder. In addition to economic diversification, she champions housing, including elder housing; education; youth and human services; healthcare; preservation of identity and strengthening Tribal cultural and language programs.

Aaron Mason Two Crow grew up participating in Junior Tribal Council, and says he went from washing casino chips in the old fish building in the early 90’s to helping membership in the same place in 2022. He views tribal elections as an integral tool to the Tribal community’s success. He wishes to show Tribal youth “that we are willing to devote more energy towards decolonization/indigenization of our community through learning and relearning our teachings by practicing them every day.”

In addition, Delores Wonegeshik seeks to be re-elected on the tribe’s Gaming Commission for another four year term.