Stensgar, Williams elected to Cd'A Tribal Council seats

Coeur d'Alene tribal members cast their votes over the weekend to fill two open Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council positions.

Ernie Stensgar was re-elected, and Cindy Williams was elected to her first term on the council.

Born and raised on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, Stensgar previously served as the chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe from 1986-2004 and has served as vice chairman since 2007.

"In the 30 years I've served, it's been my privilege and honor to follow in the footsteps of tribal leaders that have come before me. We've come a long way and we're going to go a long way in the years to come," said Stensgar.

Williams' background is in heavy equipment and the construction industry, and she has spent much of her life on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation.

"I'm humbled and excited to be elected and I will do my best for all tribal members," Williams said.

Both Stensgar and Williams were sworn in Monday morning at a ceremony at the Rose Creek Longhouse in Worley. As part of the swearing-in ceremony, the Tribal Council also met to conduct the annual election of executive officers. The seven-member council unanimously re-elected Chief J. Allan to another year as the chairman, a position he has held since 2005.

"Year after year, I have been so grateful to have the chance to lead my tribe. It's a job I take seriously and work hard at every day to do the best for the Coeur d'Alene people. We have some challenges in the years ahead of us but we'll keep moving in the right direction," said Allan.

Stensgar will retain the position of vice chairman of the Tribal Council and Donald Sczenski was elected to serve as the Tribal Council's secretary-treasurer.

The seven seats on the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council are staggered, with each council member serving a three-year term. In this year's election, eight individuals ran for the two open positions.