Tribal Board Retains Police Chief
Upholds Resolution on Board Authority To Fire Tribal Department Heads
By Ryan Schlehuber

Fred Paquin will continue to serve as the chief of police for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the tribal council agreed at a special meeting Tuesday, November 13. The 11-1 vote affirmed Council's authority (under a 2005 tribal resolution) to hire and fire department heads and disregarded an attempt by Tribal Chairman Aaron Payment to fire Mr. Paquin earlier this month.

Mr. Paquin will remain on paid suspension while he awaits a trial on a charge of simple assault against a tribal woman.

Unit 1 representative Todd Gravelle cast the lone dissenting vote and told The St. Ignace News he believes there is sufficient evidence against Mr. Paquin in the assault case to fire him. He said the board should have discussed and voted on whether Mr. Paquin should be terminated, not just on who had authority to hire and fire.

Mr. Paquin, of St. Ignace, who is also a board member representing Unit III (which includes St. Ignace), participated in the vote to affirm the 2005 resolution, according to the tribe's communication department.

The meeting was called by Chairman Payment to address his November 9 announcement that he was removing Mr. Paquin from this post, owing to the pending charges and to protect the alleged victim and members of her family who are employed by the tribe. In his press release, he acknowledged that the board had sole authority to remove Mr. Paquin from office.

Mr. Paquin will face a misdemeanor charge of simple assault at a trial in Chippewa County 91st District Court at 9 a.m. Thursday, February 14.