Prairie Island Indian Community Swears in New Tribal Council

WELCH, Minn., Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The five newly elected members of the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council were sworn into office during a community celebration yesterday. The new Tribal Council includes:

• President: Ron Johnson
• Vice president: Lu Taylor
• Secretary: Shelley Buck
• Treasurer: Ed Buck
• Assistant secretary/treasurer: Johnny Johnson

"Our Community faces significant challenges and there is a lot of work to be done," said Tribal Council President Ron Johnson. "The new Tribal Council looks forward to working with the members and friends of our Tribe to make the necessary decisions to ensure a bright future for our people."

The Tribal Council is the governing body of the more than 800-member Prairie Island Indian Community. Members were elected on November 1, 2013, and will serve a two-year term.

Council members convened following the swearing-in ceremony to determine the offices each member now holds. 

About the Prairie Island Indian Community
The Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Indian Nation, is located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Twin nuclear reactors and 35 large steel nuclear waste storage casks sit just 600 yards from Prairie Island tribal homes. A total of 98 casks could be stranded on Prairie Island indefinitely unless the federal government fulfills its promise to build a permanent storage facility. The only evacuation route off the Prairie Island is frequently blocked by passing trains. The Tribe has been pushing for the removal of the nuclear waste since 1994 when Xcel Energy was first allowed to store the waste near its reservation. On the web: www.prairieisland.org.   

SOURCE Prairie Island Indian Community