Montana politics, elections and legislative news

CSKT elects a new chairperson and council member

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Logo of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the wall of The Payne Family Native American Center at the University of Montana.
Josh Burnham

Members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes voted out their chairwoman and another council member during a recent election.

Chairwoman Shelly Fyant lost to challenger Jim Malatare by more than 30 points. Incumbent council member Charmel Gillin lost her post to Jennifer Finley by more than 40 points.

Of the five seats up for election, two incumbents, Len Twoteeth and Carole Lankford, won reelection. Newcomer Tom McDonald beat Dan DePoe for an at-large council seat.

The CSKT tribal council is made up of 10 members. The remaining five council members are up for reelection next year.

According to a CSKT news release, voter turnout increased about six points from the previous general election held in 2019.

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Freddy Monares was a reporter and Morning Edition host at Montana Public Radio.