ELTON, LOUISIANA (June 4, 2013) – The Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana held a run-off election for Tribal Chairman on Saturday, June 1, and Lovelin Poncho was chosen to fill the position.
The run-off was between Poncho and Michelle “Missy” Litteral. Poncho received 214 votes to Litteral’s 104. Poncho will officially take office on June 5, 2013, along with Jonathan Cernek and Jerold Poncho, who both won election to the Tribal Council in a vote held on Saturday, May 25.
The Coushatta Tribal Election Ordinance states that the elected Chairman and Council Members serve four-year terms. Inaugural ceremonies for the elected officials will be held on Wednesday, June 5, in the Coushatta Multipurpose Complex. Their four-year terms will officially begin that day and end on the day of the next inauguration for their positions, which would be Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
About the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana was officially recognized by the Federal government in 1973 and marked a major turning point in tribal history in 1985 with the election by popular vote of the first Coushatta tribal government.
From their earliest days as a proud, hard-working people struggling to maintain long-standing traditions in the face of possible relocation, the Coushatta Indians have endured and overcome every hardship they have faced and have remained on tribal lands in and around Elton, Louisiana, since the 1800s. Despite serious setbacks and some population dispersal, the tribe’s character and ideals have not only held fast, but have been strengthened. The Coushatta language, Koasati, is now considered unique among Native Americans because it has survived in its purest form and is still spoken fluently in the Coushatta community today.
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana owns and operates Coushatta Casino Resort, which employs more than 2,700 area residents. For more information, visit www.coushattatribela.org<http://www.coushattatribela.org/>.
Lovelin Poncho Elected Coushatta Tribal Chairman
