After months of waiting, the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe now has a new set of council members. Members of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe gathered at the Moose Lodge in Black Eagle on Saturday to witness the counting of ballots in the election of a new Tribal Council.

Tribal Members say this year's election had a significantly higher turnout than past elections. They say the vote reflects the people and now it is up to the state of Montana to recognize the results.

Election Committee members opened ballot boxes from various communities and opened envelopes that contained mail-in absentee ballots, according to Election Committee Chairperson, Karlene Faulkner.

The opening of the ballots and the public counting was witnessed by local legislator, Jesse O'Hara and former legislator, Joe Tropila, both of whom served as "independent observers" in the election process said Election Committee Member, Scott Martinez.

Elected as the new Tribal Chairman was John Gilbert. Gerald Gray Jr. was elected Vice-Chairman. Elected as the 2nd Vice-Chairman was Leona Kienenberger, and the new Secretary-Treasurer is Bob Rudeseal. The three new Council Members elected are; Alvina Allen, Richard Parenteau, and Clarence "Clancy" Sivertsen.

Tribal Member James Parker Shield says, "We're not technically replacing (John)Sinclair or an existing council because their term of office, including Sinclair's expired over a year ago. I don't believe that Sinclair will accept anything that goes beyond his need to try and stay in power. You know, he ignored our constitution, he's gone before his limit, his term and he's trying to stay in illegally."

Tribal members say now that the election is over, they are hoping they will be able to reclaim federal stimulus funds that were slated for the tribe. They were set to receive over $600,000 dollars but state officials decided to reclaim $417,000 of that because of auditing and management concerns.