Quapaw Tribe heads to polls as chairman challenged by failed Trump nominee

Tuesday, July 17, 2018  

Citizens of the Quapaw Tribe are going to the polls later this month to choose their leaders.

The biggest race on the ticket is for chairman. John Berrey, the incumbent, has held the post for a record 17 years, through three different U.S. presidential administrations.

"My job is to provide leadership, compassion and guidance that follow our mission to serve the Quapaw Tribe," Berrey says on a "Friends" campaign site. "Agriculture and economic development are my focus for the future and to make our people and ancestors proud."

Berrey is being challenged by Robert Weaver. Though he is well known in the Quapaw community, he's most well known elsewhere as being the Trump administration's failed nominee to lead the Indian Health Service.

"We have heard for far too long that no one else can be in the place of leadership because only our current chairman can get things accomplished," Weaver says on his campaign site. "This is not true."

Berrey's tenure has indeed been historic. The tribe opened a unique gaming resort that boasts a footprint in three states, settled a breach of trust lawsuit against the federal government, filed another lawsuit in hopes of securing unaccounted funds and resources, won approval to expand its casino into Kansas, advanced cleanup efforts on the worst Superfund site in the nation and began to restore its homelands in neighboring Arkansas.

Weaver admits that he endorsed Berrey during most of these efforts. And Berrey promoted Weaver for the IHS director's post even after it became clear that the nomination was in serious trouble.

The failed nomination is the subject of a "The Truth About Robert Weaver" page on the pro-Berrey site while Weaver dedicates a lot of space on his "Issues" page talking about it.

In addition to the chairman, Quapaw voters will elect a secretary/treasurer and business committee member, The Joplin Globe reports. The incumbents for both posts are running for re-election, the paper said.

The vice chairman's position is not up for grabs due to the recent election of Callie Darr. She replaced Thomas Crawfish Mathews, who resigned after being accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison last month.

The election takes place Saturday, July 28.

Read More on the Story:
Quapaw Tribe to hold elections (The Joplin Globe July 17, 2018)