By Krystal Spring/Havre Daily News/kspring@havredailynews.com
Alvin Windy Boy Sr. will square off with John "Chance" Houle in the general election Nov. 2 to retain his seat as the Chippewa Cree tribal chairman.
Windy Boy and Houle were the top two vote-getters among five candidates running for chairman in Friday's primary tribal election, with Houle outpolling Windy Boy by 56 votes. Houle, a member of the tribal council, captured 490 votes. If he loses in November, he will have two years remaining in his term on the council. Windy Boy received 434 votes.
Neither candidate could be reached for comment today.
The other three candidates and their tallies were: Russell Standing Rock, 219; Merle Belcourt, 113, and Thomas Roasting Stick, 65.
The top eight vote-getters among the 63 candidates vying for four seats on the tribal council Friday will advance to the November ballot. The top eight and their votes were: Brian "Kelly" Eagleman, 292; Donovan Stump, 206; incumbent Raymond "Jake" Parker Jr., 194; Tim Koop, 182; Harlan Gopher Baker, 166; Ricky Morsette, 165; Janice (Raining Bird) Myers, 130; and Kenny Writing Bird, 127.
Incumbents Tony Belcourt, Charles Gopher and Pete LaMere ran for re-election, but were defeated in Friday's primary. Their tallies were: Belcourt, 88; Gopher, 64; and LaMere, 67.
Enrolled tribal members could vote for one candidate for tribal chairman and four candidates for the tribal council, also known as the Chippewa Cree Tribal Business Committee. Pauline Russette, the Chippewa Cree election board clerk, said about 1,300 voted.
The other 55 vote-getters for tribal council seats and their tallies were: Robert Robbie Alexander, 15; Clarence "CJ" Ameline, 37; Earl Archie Arkinson, 65; Luanne Belcourt, 52; Gilbert Belgarde, 115; Joe Big Knife, 88; Bert Corcoran, 94; Peter Demontiney Sr., 71; Bruce Denny, 32; Walter "Moose" Denny, 64; Manuel Duran Jr., 74; Francis Eagleman Sr., 86; Jonathan Jay Eagleman, 94; Arnold Four Souls, 62; Harvey B. Friede Sr., 70; Robert Gopher, 83; George Henderson Sr., 63; Lenno "Tugg" Henderson, 49; Virgil Henderson, 29; Ricky Houle, 55; Russell J. Houle Sr., 18; Joseph J. LaFromboise Jr., 71; Michael, L. LaMere, 15; Larry J. Morsette Jr., 103; Melvin Morsette Jr., 83; Timothy "Tim" Nault Sr., 63; Wilbert "Willie" Parisian Sr., 97; John Parker Jr., 85; Mario Patacsil Jr., 58; Ivan "Johnny" Raining Bird, 70; John "Sonny" Roasting Stick Jr., 33; Tim W. Rosette Sr., 94; Gibby Russette, 69; Louis "Duce" Russette Sr., 29; Paul "Frankie" Russette Jr., 63; Teddy Russette III, 87; Ken (Blatt) St. Marks, 95; Debbie St. Pierre, 121; Roger St. Pierre, 57; Mike Sangrey, 31; Gerald Small, 119; Roy Small, 86; Warren P. Small, 53; Duncan Standing Rock Sr., 85; Thomas Martin Stanley, 15; Rocky L. Stump Jr., 51; Suzanne Billy Stump, 60; Dorene Tendoy, 28; Eric C. Watson, 43; Ivy M. Parker Watson, 53; Gordon J. Whitford, 72; and Theodore E. Whitford Sr., 113.
Candidates who are defeated in the general election will have five days to contest the election results, according to Mary Ruth St. Pierre, who chairs the election board.
Enrolled members age 18 and over are eligible to vote for tribal officers in the general election Nov. 2 at the old Stone Child College gymnasium in Rocky Boy. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
