Weekly updates will be released to keep our Band Members updated on Tribal projects/ divisions and anything from the federal level that may impact us. Print versions of Friday updates will be available monthly in the DeBahJimon
Employees and Community members can begin submitting news, events, and updates to be included in the week’s update every Monday. Updates can be sent to news@llojibwe.net
Chi Miigwech to everyone who submitted updates for this week. This week is shortened due to the Easter Holiday. This week, the Band held an RBC briefing and Mission hang out night.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Business Committee (RBC) holds weekly briefings on Tuesdays and meetings on Thursdays.
All available council members attend RBC briefings, including scheduled presenters and LLBO division directors. Agenda items are discussed at the Tuesday briefings and then voted on for passage at the Thursday meeting. Occasionally, due to time constraints, a combination briefing and conference will take place on the same day.
All RBC briefings and conferences are live-streamed via Vimeo and available on LeechLakeNews.com under “Videos.” Official meeting minutes can also be found on LeechLakeNews.com under “LL Tribal Council” ->
“Tribal Council Meeting Minutes.”
BRIEFING/MEETING RECAPS
April 17th, 2025, A briefing & meeting was held in the RBC Government Chambers.
Presentations Given:
- James Hughs/Tom Sorensen, Regional Native Public Defense, presented a request for additional funding to cover a board member from LLTC. The band would select a representative to fill this board slot. The band tabled this request until further funding is identified. A public notice about the board vacany will go public and band members will be able to submit a letter of intent to fill the slot that the RBC will review and vote on.
- Laurie Harper, Education presented a grant extension update and reviewed federal changes to funding from the Trump Administration’s budget cuts and plans to dismantle the Department of Education. Harper mentioned that MN Department of Education (MDE) has chosen to not remove DEI policies as required by the Trump Administration. This was a win for Tribal Education, however Local Education Agency (LEA) will not be requiring Tribal consultation moving forward. LLBO plans to fight this change as it undermines Tribal sovereignty. Tribal Council has asked affected Education departments to write up statements to be sharedr with State and Federal departments on how the new budget cuts and dismantling of the Education department will impact their work/students.
- A resolution was passed that will have Leon Staples covering the Secretary-Treasurer position for the RBC in any event that Leonard Fineday will be unable to fufill his duties, as well as Steve White to act as vice-Chairman in the event Faron Jackson Sr. is unable to fufill his duties. This resolution is an update to a prior one that was already documented but had previous RBC members who are no longer serving listed as the replacement. These resolutions are only in place for the band to have continuity in emergencies and are not permanent appointments, and do not include pay raises or additional benefits.
- A resolution was passed that updated the local indian council bylaws, the new change added two additional LICs for Bemidji/Prescott.
Ribbon Skirt Making
Ball Club April 22nd&29th 10am-11:30am
Bena April 23rd,30th 10am-11:30am
Moccasin Making in Onigum, April 24th 10am-11:30am
As well as parenting roundtable discussions as we work, using the Positive Indian Parenting
Curriculum.
all materials provided, door prizes, refreshments
For more information, please email Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Wenona. Kingbird@llojibwe.net
Sponsored by: Leech Lake Child Abuse Prevention Program & Family Preservation Program
Leech Lake Earth Day Celebration
Monday, April 22, 2025, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cass Lake Boys & Girls Club (Old High School)
Enter through Door 5 on the north side
Walk/Run kicks off at 10:00 AM — bring a reusable water bottle!
Join us for a day of environmental awareness, community connection, and fun activities to celebrate Earth Day. All are welcome!
For more information, call (218) 335-7400.
Drive-Thru Car Seat Checkup
Friday, April 25th 10:30am-2:30pm at the Health Matters Clinic located at 420 Grant Utley AVE NW, Cass Lake, MN.
Have your child’s car seat checked and
ensure proper installation. Light snacks and children’s books (lightly used) available.
Any questions please call 218-335-4556