Sault tribe member appointed to Homeland Security council
SAULT STE. MARIE — A Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians member has been appointed to a newly formed Homeland Security advisory council.
On Sept. 7, the Department of Homeland Security officially established the first ever tribal security advisory council. The council was created with the purpose to enhance relations between the DHS and tribal groups within the country.
“The inaugural Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council is a result of sustained engagement to improve nation-to-nation relationships and comes at a time of critical importance,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a press release announcing the creation of the council.
The council will officially begin working within the DHS in January 2023 with a council of 15 members from tribal groups from across the country, including a representative from the Sault tribe. All 15 members on the council have tribal heritage and currently hold positions in the government of their individual tribes.
Kimberly Hampton, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and member of the tribal board of directors, was chosen to represent the Sault tribe on the council. Hampton believes she is prepared for the position because she knows the community well and is familiar with the people in it.
"I live in and work in Native communities. I have rapport with contacts already. I am part of this community and know this community," said Hampton. "I will be going back to our board and our communities and getting input from them as needed for the various issues."
As the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River, the Sault tribe makes up a large portion of the nation's Native population. Being situated on the Canadian border, the Sault tribe also deals with more international security issues than many other tribes as well.
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"I am able to see the unique indicators with us, such as having casinos in our area and being this close to the border presents unique problems for our area," said Hampton. "So I am directly involved in our security."
The Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council will take part in discussions about security issues that face the country and will advise Homeland Security on how those issues could affect tribal groups.
The hope is that by including people who are ingratiated into the cultures and governments of the tribes that the federal government will better be able to help them with security issues in the future. For instance, Native Americans are more likely than other ethnic groups to be targeted for human trafficking and other violent attacks.
This advisory council will help the government address these problems and other problems that Native Americans face disproportionally by advising on major issues.
"We will be meeting with the Department of Homeland Security and amongst ourselves in order to advise the secretary for the Homeland Security on recommendations to work hand-in-hand to address the key issues of Homeland Security's mission related to Indian country," said Hampton.
Hampton was born and raised in Manistique, Michigan and is a single mother of five children. She holds a position as board member for the Sault Tribe Board of Directors. Hampton also has three master's degrees in business administration, education and psychology from the University of Phoenix, Concordia University and North Central University, respectively.
Hampton wanted this position on the advisory council because she believes she is in a position to help the community. She said she believes that being a part of a group like this can have a positive impact on tribal communities going forward, but like anyone, is nervous and excited about starting a new job no one has ever done before.
"I'm nervous to start the job just because I really don't know what to expect in its entirety," said Hampton. "But I am excited to be able to be that voice and to be able to strengthen our relationships here within our community areas and beyond."
Being situated next to an international border, and being part of a minority group that is often targeted by human traffickers, Hampton believes that it's important for the Sault tribe to have a close relationship with Homeland Security. Especially when tribal groups that live across the border in Canada are facing issues of their own, she said the DHS needs to consider how that will affect American tribes.
"In the past six to nine months, there have been reservations in Canada not too far from us that have had bad shootings and attacks," said Hampton. "We need to be prepared if that happens here."
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault tribe member appointed to Homeland Security council
