A conversation with new Grand Portage Tribal Council Chair Beth Drost

As announced earlier by WTIP Community Radio, Elizabeth “Beth” Drost has won the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa special election to become Tribal Chair.

Drost is the first woman to fill this role. She is also the first new tribal leader in decades, as the late Norman Deschampe filled that role from the early ‘70s until his death in February 2019.

There is a 10-day waiting period to give the opportunity for any challenges, but Drost received the majority of the vote, both those cast at the Grand Portage polling place and those received by mail as absentee ballots.

Following the waiting period, Drost will be sworn in as Tribal Chair on July 11.

Also to be sworn in is new committeeperson, Rick Anderson, who won the majority of the votes in the April 2019 primary election.

Drost and Anderson will join other Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa council members John Morrin, William “Bill” Myers, and April McCormick.