Virgil Wind elected as Mille Lacs County Band’s chief executive

Virgil Wind was elected to serve as the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s next chief executive, to replace the retiring Melanie Benjamin.

Wind garnered 667 votes in the Tuesday, April 2, primary election, 67.44% of the total. Samuel Moose received 303 votes, and Wallace St. John Sr. received 19. Although the election was set up as a primary election, under Minnesota Chippewa election rules, a person in a primary who gets more than 50% of the vote will win the race. A total of 909 votes were cast.

Wind will take over the Tribal leadership role in July. He is also currently serving as chairperson of the Onamia School Board.

Another race – for District I representative – will go on to a general election vote in June. District I includes the main reservation area on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake, sometimes referred to as “Neyaashing,” or “The Point” in the Anishinaabe language.

Wind is the current District I representative. Valerie Sam-Harrington and Carolyn Beaulieu were the top two vote-getters to replace Wind in District I and will go on to compete in the June 11 election.

Vote totals were as follows:

• Valerie Charissa Sam-Harrington — 179 votes, 28.32%.

• Carolyn Marie Beaulieu — 176, 27.85%.

• Curtis Leroy Kalk — 94, 14.87%.

• Megan Ann Ballinger — 68, 10.76%.

• Melissa Marie Boyd — 68, 10.76%.

• Billie Jo Boyd — 47, 7.44%.

In a Facebook post in mid-March, Wind offered a biography and list of his key initiatives. “I’m ready to take leadership to the next level by running for Chief Executive. I believe that my experience as a business owner, contractor, school board member, TERO commissioner and representative uniquely qualifies me to lead our tribe to a brighter future. With a strong commitment to compassion and empathy, I’m dedicated to fostering unity and collaboration within the tribe while working to address the pressing issues facing our members.”

He cited economic development and job creation, Tribal infrastructure and housing, education and youth development, and continued support of Tribal General Welfare Exclusion as prime topics. He also pledged to “continue to foster strong relationships with local, state, and federal governments, as well as other tribal nations, to advocate for the interests and rights of the tribe.”

Elections were also held by several other Minnesota Tribal communities April 2, including Leech Lake, White Earth, Bois Forte, Fond du Lac and Grand Portage.