Brief roles and responsibilities of elected officials
By Valerie Harrington-Wind, Chief Communication Officer, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Legislative Branch
GIIGIDOOWININI (A REPRESENTATIVE) DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
District Representatives are elected leaders chosen by the people of each district. Their main responsibility is to speak for their district, listen to the people, and help make laws and decisions that affect the whole Band. This role is about repre-sentation, communication, and service.
Gayaagiigidojig omaa Misi-zaaga'iganiing.
(District Representatives - The Speakers here at Mille Lacs)
Naagaanendaagozijig omaa Misi-zaaga'igani-ishkoniganing
(District Representatives - Leaders here at Mille Lacs Reservation)
Naagaanendaagozid imaa Neyaashing.
(District Representatives - Leader there at District I)
Naagaanendaagozid imaa Aazhoomog.
(District Representatives- Leader there at District III)
Naagaanendaagozid imaa Minisinaakwaang miinawaa Chi-minising.
(District Representatives- Leader there at Districts 2 & 2a) Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mayaamawi-gaagiigidojig
(Serving in the Band Assembly- those Speakers that come together.)
District Representatives are members of the Band Assembly, the law-making body of the Band. They:
• Attend Band Assembly meetings
• Discuss and vote on laws, resolutions, and budgets
• Help decide how Band resources are used
Their votes help shape the future of the Band.
Bizindawindwaa ingiw Anishinaabeg
(Listening to the People- when the Anishinaabeg are listened to)
Bizindawaawaad ingiw Anishinaabeg
(Listening to the People- when they listen to the Anishinaabeg)
District Representatives are expected to stay connected to the people they represent. They:
• Listen to concerns, ideas, and needs from district members
• Bring district voices to the Band Assembly
• Share information back with the community
This helps ensure decisions reflect the people's needs.
Ozhitoowaad i iw Inaakonigewinan
(Helping Create Laws- they make laws)
Wezhitoojig iiw Inaakonigewinan
(Helping Create Laws- The Ones that make laws)
District Representatives help introduce and work on laws. They may:
• Propose new laws or changes
• Review laws carefully before voting
• Ask questions to understand how laws affect the people
This helps keep Band laws fair and thoughtful
Ganawendamowaad i'iw Ezhi-anokiiwinan
(Watching Over Band Programs- they take care of how the work is)
Genawendamojig i iw Ezhi-anokiiwinan
(Watching Over Band Programs - Those that take care of how the work is)
District Representatives help oversee Band government operations. They:
• Review reports and information from Band departments
• Ask questions about how programs are working
• Help make sure programs serve the people properly
This helps strengthen accountability in government.
Onendamowaad iniw gagwaadagitoowinan
(Helping Solve Problems - They figure out hard times)
AANIIN DASH (WHY) GICHI APITTENDAAGWAD (IT IS IMPORTANT)
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
District Representatives help:
• Give each district a voice
• Shape Band laws and decisions
• Protect the people's interests Strengthen self-governance
• They serve as a bridge between the people and Band government.
Wenendamojig iniw gagwaadagitoowinan
(Helping Solve Problems - The ones that figure out hard times)
District Representatives may help address issues affecting their district. They can:
• Bring concerns forward to leadership
• Help guide people to the right departments
• Work with other leaders to find solutions
They do not run programs, but they help make sure concerns are heard.
Aabajitoowaad iiw Gwayakwaadiziwin miinawaa Manaaji idiwin.
(Acting with Honesty and Respect- They use Honesty and Respect)
Ayaabajitoojig i iw Gwayakwaadiziwin miinawaa Manaajiidiwin.
(Acting with Honesty and Respect- Those that use Honesty and Respect)
District Representatives must:
• Follow Band law
• Act in the best interest of the people
• Respect community members and fellow leaders
Their actions should reflect debwewin (truth) and mino-bimaadiziwin (living in a good way).
OZHIB ITGEWININI MINAWAA ZHOONI-YAAWININI (SECRETARY-TREASURER)
Wezhibil igewininiwid miinawaa Zhwaaniyaawininiwid (Secretary-Treasurer)
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe - The Secretary-Treasurer is an elected leader of the Mille Lacs Band. This role is about debwewin (trust). The Secretary-Treasurer helps take care of the Band's money, records, and laws, so they are protected for today and for the generations yet to come.
Naagaani-gaagiigidod
(Leadership of the Band Assembly- the Lead speaker)
The Secretary-Treasurer serves as the Speaker of the Band Assembly. They:
• Lead Band Assembly meetings
• Help keep meetings respectful and orderly
• Make sure laws and decisions are discussed fairly
The Band Assembly is where laws are made for the people.
Ganawenimaad iniw Zhooniyaawan
(Taking Care of the People's Money-S/he takes care of the money)
Genawenimaad iniw Zhooniyaawan
(Taking Care of the People's Money- The one that takes care of the money)
One of the most important duties of the Secretary-Treasurer is watching over the Band's finances. They help:
• Oversee budgets and financial planning
• Make sure Band money is handled carefully
• Protect funds so they are used the right way
This supports programs like health care, education, housing, and community services.
Asiginaad miinawaa Ganawenimaad iniw Ozhooni-yaaman a’aw Anishinaabe
(Collecting and Protecting Funds- S/he Collects and Protects/takes care of the money of the Anishinaabe)
Esiginaad miinawaa Genawenimaad iniw Ozhooni-yaaman a'aw Anishinaabe
(Collecting and Protecting Funds- The one that Collects and Protects/takes care of the money of the Anishinaabe)
All money that belongs to the Band must be:
• Collected properly
• Kept safe
• Spent only when approved by Band leadership
The Secretary-Treasurer helps make sure this process is followed.
Naanaagadawaabandang miinawaa Nanaa itood aabiinjitoowin
(Watching for Problems and Fixing Them- S/he watches carefully for and fixes damage)
Nayaanaagadawaabandang miinawaa Nenaa'itood aa-biinjitoowin
(Watching for Problems and Fixing Them- The one that watches carefully for and fixes damage)
If there are concerns about money being misused, the Secretary-Treasurer can:
• Review financial records
• Ask questions and request documents
• Take steps to protect Band funds
This helps prevent mistakes and protects the people's resources.
Ozhitood Zhooniyaawi-dibaajimowinan
(Written Financial Orders-S/he makes financial reports)
Wezhitood Zhooniyaawi-dibaajimowinan
(Written Financial Orders- The one that makes financial reports)
The Secretary-Treasurer may issue written financial orders when needed. These orders:
• Are written down clearly
• Have a number and an end date
• Must follow Band law
This keeps financial decisions clear and organized.
Wiidookaaged ji-gaagiiginind a'aw Zhooniyaawininiwid
(Helping Choose the Finance Leader- S/he helps for the best to be chosen to be the Lead Money Person (Commissioner of Finance)
Waadookaaged ji-gaagiiginind a'aw Zhooniyaawininiwid
(Helping Choose the Finance Leader- The one that helps for the best to be chosen to be the Lead Money Person (Com-missioner of Finance). The Secretary-Treasurer works with the Chief Executive to help choose the Commissioner of Finance, who helps run the Band's finance offices.
Debwewin ezhi-niigaaned.
(Leading with Trust- Truth is the way s/he leads)
The Secretary-Treasurer must act with honesty, care, and responsibility. They carry a bond to protect the people's money and are expected to always act in the best interest of the Band.
AANIIN DASH (WHY) GICHI APIITENDAAGWAD (IT IS IMPORTANT) WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
The Secretary-Treasurer helps:
• Protect the people's money
• Keep records honest and clear
• Make sure decisions are remembered
• Care for resources meant for future generations
This role is about honesty, responsibility, and service to the people.
