Ryan and Paul have been nominated as Chief for Walpole Island First Nation, a reservation nestled on an island bordering Michigan and Canada ...

we're told Ryan and Paul don't technically have to be part of the native community to be nominated or even rise to the top as Chief.

Actually, they're already on, but we're told they have until Thursday to contact the Walpole Island membership office to have their names removed.

Naturally, we're told Chief is the most respected position in Walpole Island First Nation, which has about 5,000 members.

we're told Ryan or Paul would likely have to move close to the reservation if elected Chief.