INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Indian Nation was elected on Saturday to serve a second four-year term, along with Vice Chief William Thompson.
Francis garnered 372 votes in the election, easily besting the 154 votes cast for his challenger, former Penobscot Chief Barry Dana, who led the tribe from 2000 to 2004.
Dana’s campaign stressed a return to tribal governance and traditional lifestyles in contrast to Francis’ more aggressively political approach.
Francis, who is 41 and lives in Passadumkeag with his wife and four children, said Sunday he was gratified by the outcome of the voting.
“I knew we had a lot of support, but you can’t always be on the right side of every decision for everyone,” he said. “I really feel blessed and very grateful.”
He emphasized that his accomplishments over the past four years reflect the work of many appointees and support staff.
“They make me look good on a daily basis,” he said.
Francis said his re-election reflects public endorsement of his policies of the past four years, which have resulted in a number of economic development opportunities for the tribe, including several contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and a developing wind energy program. He will focus on similar projects in his second term, he said.
But, he added, the process of campaigning for re-election made him realize the need for some changes as well.
“For one thing, I need to do a better job of keeping our people informed,” he said.
In addition, the tribe, which has undertaken a number of bricks-and-mortar construction projects on the island reservation in recent years, also must work with outside contractors on those projects to ensure more Penobscots are hired.
Dana is 52 and lives with his family in Solon. He had hoped to re-establish a traditional governance style based on gaining full consensus for tribal policies and activities.
“It really has to be done by consensus, rather than by simple majority, so that when we do move forward it is rock-solid,” he said.
Despite his failed attempt to reclaim leadership of the tribe, Dana said he would continue to work on projects vital to the tribe’s future.
For example, building on a recent grant from the Roxanne Quimby Foundation, he said, he hopes to establish a nonprofit agricultural collaboration with the other tribes of the Wabanaki Federation, allowing them to engage in large-scale farming to meet their own food needs.
The following candidates to public office also were elected in Saturday’s vote:
Census committee: Lee Ann Francis, Ann Irene Pardilla, Cheryl Kelly.
School committee: Carole Bear Binette, Edwina Mitchell, Naomi Neptune.
Tribal Council: Miles Francis, John Neptune, Yvonne Francis, Matthew Sappier, Mary Settles, Donna Loring.
Land committee: Steven Paul.
State Rep. Wayne Mitchell was re-elected to serve a two-year term.
