George re-elected, Wakeland and McClary clinch other two seats

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Tribal Council incumbent Kathleen George, past Tribal Council member Toby McClary and first time Tribal Council candidate Pete Wakeland won victories in the Tribal Council election Saturday, Sept. 6.

McClary garnered more than 18% of the vote, Wakeland received 14.4% and George received 14.2%

McClary received 681 votes, Wakeland received 537 votes and George received 528 votes.

Tribal Council incumbent Denise Harvey was not reelected. She came in at 523 votes, slightly more than 14%.

Tribal member Valeria Atanacio received 523 votes, approximately 14%; Tribal Elder Lisa Archuleta received 522 votes, approximately 14%; Tribal member Peter Grout received 251 votes, approximately 6.8% and Tribal Elder Pamala Warren-Chase received 153 votes, approximately 4.1%.

George, 54, will serve her fourth term on Tribal Council.

Wakeland, 63, will serve his first term on Tribal Council.

McClary, 47, is the Tribe’s Procurement Department supervisor. He will resign that position to serve on Tribal Council. He previously served on council from 2009-15.

This year marked the 11th consecutive year of single-digit candidates running for Tribal Council. The last time 10 or more candidates threw their proverbial hats in the ring was in 2013.

Turnout was 29% with 1,329 ballots cast out of 4,586 eligible adult Tribal members.

Winners will be sworn into office at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the Governance Center Atrium.

Also on the ballot were two advisory votes. The results were:

• Should the Tribe evaluate opportunities to purchase or invest in a Tribally operated farm? 683 yes and 313 no.
• Should the Tribe create an online store where Tribal members can buy Tribal logo clothing, blankets, etc.? 782 yes and 212 no.

This is story will be updated online with candidate statements if they provide those.