(Fulton, Michigan) The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) issued the oath of office yesterday to newly elected Tribal Council Member Ariel Boonstra and re-elected Homer A. Mandoka during the regularly scheduled May Tribal Council Business Meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Pine Creek Community Center.

The election was conducted to fill the expired four-year term for two (2) seats on the Tribal Council, held in conjunction with the annual General Membership meeting on The Pine Creek Indian Reservation on April 27, 2024.

Boonstra graduated in May 2024 with a degree in Agricultural Science from Utah State University. She was raised in Grand Haven, Michigan, where she graduated from Grand Haven High School in 2013.

“I am honored to serve my Tribe as its newest Council Member, and I am optimistic about our Tribe’s future,” said NHBP Council Treasurer Ariel Boonstra. “As a problem-solver who thrives on open, two-way communication to meet goals by working together, I respect each individual person for who they are. I look forward to serving my Tribe with my fellow Councilmembers using the Seven Grandfather Teachings as our guide.”

This marks the beginning of Mandoka’s eighth term; he has served the Tribal Council continuously since 2002 and currently chairs the Planning & Land Use and the Emergency Preparedness committees. Graduating from Union City High School in 1983, Mandoka earned an associate degree from Kellogg Community College with honors.

Before his election to the Tribal Council, Mandoka was a police officer for the city of Bronson, Michigan, where he currently resides with his wife, Kathy. They have four children: Austin, of Battle Creek, Michigan, Haley Irwin (Paul) of Madera, California, Philip Mandoka, of Denver, Colorado, and Logan, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. They are the grandparents of Maizie, Daxton and Poppy Irwin.

“I have been honored to serve Tribal Membership as one of five members on the Tribal Council, and I will always cherish the experience, motivation and passion of everyone,” said Mandoka.

In addition to swearing in the newly elected Tribal Council Members and completing their oaths of office, the Tribal Council voted for the officer appointments during the Tribal Council meeting. The following officer appointments are:

Chair – Dorie Rios
Vice Chair – Robyn Elkins
Secretary – Nancy Smit
Treasurer – Ariel Boonstra
Sergeant-at-Arms – Homer A. Mandoka

(L-R) Ariel Boonstra, Treasurer, Secretary, Nancy Smit, Chairperson Dorie Rios, Vice Chairperson Robyn Elkins and Sergeant-at-Arms Homer A. Mandoka