SUQUAMISH — Citizens of the Suquamish Tribe elected two new members to the Suquamish Tribal Council.
The election took place during the General Council meeting, March 16-17. The first day of the General Council meeting took place at White Horse Golf Club clubhouse, the second day at Kiana Lodge.
Wayne George, 58, was elected vice chairman; he is currently president of the board of Port Madison Enterprises, the economic development arm of the Suquamish Tribe. He succeeds Chuck Deam, who chose not to run for another term. Other candidates were Lyle Emerson George, Aggie Pratt, Rebecca Purser, Dave Sigo and Lois Sullivan.
Robin Little Wing Sigo, 37, was elected treasurer. She defeated incumbent Angel Hill and Josh George, Kim Kumpf and Cindy Webster-Martinson. Sigo has worked for the Suquamish Tribe in Grants, Education and Health Research.
The Suquamish Tribal Council is the governing body of the Suquamish Tribe. The council has seven members: chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and three council members. Council members serve three-year staggered terms. Suquamish Tribe citizens vote for council positions during their annual General Council meeting each spring.
The Suquamish Tribe has approximately 1,050 citizens.
The Suquamish Tribe is recognized by the U.S. as a sovereign, or self-governing, indigenous nation. Suquamish and the U.S. are signatories to the Treaty of Point Elliott, which was signed in 1855 and ratified by Congress in 1859.
The Suquamish Tribe’s council exercises full governmental authority over the Tribe’s land and resources. Governmental departments include administration, community development, courts, education, fisheries, human services, legal, police, and natural resources. Port Madison Enterprises is the Tribe’s economic development arm.
