Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Votes to Remove Blood Quantum from Enrollment Requirements

MINNESOTA-On Wednesday, 7,470 enrolled citizens of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) voted in a non-binding referendum on whether to remove or keep the blood quantum requirement to be enrolled in the tribe, and whether the six member tribes of the MCT can determine their own membership requirements individually.

"A non-binding referendum means that the outcome of this vote will not bind the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe's Executive Committee to taking any particular action at this time," said Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe on May 3. "It is not a decision-making vote. The purpose of the non-binding referendum vote is to get an idea of the thoughts and opinions of MCT membership about enrollment."

Nearly 4,800 citizens voted "yes" to remove the blood quantum requirement to be enrolled in the MCT, and 2,629 voted "no", according to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/minnesota-chippewa-tribe-votes-to-remove-blood-quantum-from-enrollment-requirements