Transcript of Joe McCoy's oath and speech

SAULT TRIBE TRANSCRIPT

************************* Chairman McCoy recited the acceptance of office and tribal oath by stating: "I Darwin (Joe) McCoy, having been elected to the office of chairman of the board of directors of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for a term of four years beginning July 2, 2008, do hereby accept said office and affirm my eligibility for same as a member and qualified voter of the tribe.

I do solemnly swear, that I will support the Constitution of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of chairman of the board of directors of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians according to the best of my ability.

In discharging those duties, I will honor the seven teachings of our people: love, respect, honesty, humility, truth, wisdom, and bravery."

Following the acceptance of office and tribal oath by Chairman McCoy and each of his fellow elected board members, they then gathered as a group and recited the Ojibwa Oath in our native language.

Translated into English, the oath reads, "Continually as our ancestor we in the past, and are now and will continually be forever; I will honor the Anishnabe way of life."

Chairman McCoy addressed the crowd with an acceptance speech following a thunderous applause from those in attendance.

"Thank you, Thank you, this is a real honor," stated McCoy. "I'm here for you folks out there, the tribal members.

"As I was reading through the paper I picked up when I got in here, I found out that I was doing the closing speech.

"I'm not much of a speaker, so if you're here, you know its coming from me, okay.

"I want to thank my family, my mother, and all of you out there smiling.

"It's great to see you all smiling.

"My brother Darb, he made it all the way up here.

"He asked me if I was nervous.

"I said Darb, it's like getting looked at from Dad with that razor strap in his hands.

"I guess he trained me for this.

"It's nice coming up here following all the board members, the good thing is, they said everything I wanted to say and I just want to keep all those smiling faces out there and for those of you who aren't smiling; give us a chance, we'll put a smile on your face.

"Miigwetch, Thank You."

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