Prior to the establishment of the reservations and the implementation of European ideas of formalized tribal governments, based on the white-colonialist form of government, the Red Lake band operated on a traditional system of government that worked well for centuries.
The position of chief was often a hereditary position that passed down from father to son, but others could be elevated to that level through great achievements, or through the will of the people. The position of chief, depended much on their wisdom, bravery and hospitality as leaders and their influence could serve to attract people to follow and join the band. It was the job of the chiefs to make sure that people had enough. The chiefs were supposed to set a good example in hunting and trapping and in family life. They would make sure that people were able to take care of themselves and their families. Whenever somebody was sick or couldn't provide their family with food, the chiefs would appoint a counselor, or a group of men, to go around the community and collect tea, snuff, sugar, lard, flour, and other goods to help out the family. Everybody had to make a contribution.
The duties of a chiefs included presiding at councils of the band, making important decisions that affected the general welfare of the band, and the settlement of small disputes. The chiefs represented the band at the signing of treaties, the payment of annuities, and any large gathering of the tribe. Unlike today's governmental system, with constitutionally elected, representative Tribal councils who are selected from amongst the tribal citizens of the nation and who follow a formal governmental structure similar to that of the United States government, the traditional chiefs worked according to cultural systems where decisions were inclusive of the entire community.
The Current Chief System
The modern-day Red Lake Nation has seven Hereditary Chiefs. The seven Hereditary Chiefs are the descendants of those chiefs who negotiated the 1889 Land Agreement for the Red Lake Band - establishing the Red Lake Band as a sovereign Nation.
The seven Chiefs serve for life in an advisory capacity to the Tribal Council. It is their job to work with the community to promote the culture, history, and heritage of the Red Lake people.