Chairman’s Report

CHAIRMAN’S MONTHLY REPORT

Chairman Faron Jackson Sr.

Boozhoo, my relatives, friends, community members and all!  The Leech Lake RBC Tribal Council is moving forward on a solid agenda with Leech Lake priorities before the U.S. Congress.  We are continuing to identify our critical needs.  The Tribal Council members continue to work diligently in lobbying for unmet need dollars for the Leech Lake Band and its People.  As we continue to move forward, we are all in this together, here is some of the news being reported to the great Leech Lake Nation.

  • High Air Quality Alerts – The summer of 2025, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has been issuing air quality alerts for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke and fine particle levels from the Canada wild fires burning out of control for months.  The northerly winds will continue blowing waves of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into Minnesota.  Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across all of Leech Lake.  Health effects, the air is unhealthy for everyone.  Anyone may begin to experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.  The Leech Lake Emergency Response Office, Duane Oothoudt had provided N-95 masks for the three district offices at the RBC for community use.
  • 26th Annual Onigum Pow Wow – On July 25, 26 & 27, 2025 the community and families had gathered at the Onigum Pow Wow Grounds. The pow wow had over 250 dancers, many vendors, and royalty for the braves and princesses had been well represented.  Chairman Jackson, Sr. wanted to personally say Mii-Gwetch to the Onigum LIC and the Leech Lake Pow Wow Coordinator for the planning, and other individuals that included the Emcee, Arena Directors, Spiritual Advisor, Fire Keepers, and the Host Drums for another successful traditional gathering.  The Onigum Pow Wow had a number of Specials for the Hand Drum Contest, Dancers, Team Dance, Potato Dance, and Outgoing Royalty.  Events for the Fayleen Haugen, Freida and Frank Oothoudt memorial breakfasts, healing walk, Ronnie Jo Greatshield kids toy giveaway, and many other events.  The Onigum outgoing Princess Kaylise Jackson is in the picture.
  • Update on President Trump’s Indian Country Cuts in Funding – On July 25, 2025 the Minnpost had reported the Trump administration upends historic treaty obligations by freezing $24.5 billion in Federal grants would affect nearly every Tribe in the United States. Minnesota Tribes could lose nearly $700 million in Federal funding.  For example, the Minneapolis American Indian Center said $4 million of an Environmental Protection grant that would have helped with the center’s renovation was rescinded.  In total, there is nearly $697 million in outstanding payments to Minnesota Tribes.  The cuts and proposed freezes, if they gain approval through the courts, would violate treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and impact nearly every Tribe across the United States.  The crux of this whole cuts and grant funding freezes is that the Trump administration is insisting that the (grant cuts) are based on race or climate priorities.  In fact, Tribes have a government-to-government relationship with United States, “which maintains trust and treaty obligations that require it to meet the economic and social needs of Tribes and Native American People.”  The Leech Lake RBC Tribal Council members will continue to lobby, write letters, and testify before Congress in upholding those promises.
  • Leech Lake TERO Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony – On July 31, 2025 Chairman Jackson, Sr. and the Leech Lake RBC members had celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of the new Leech Lake Temporary Employment Rights Office.  Chairman Jackson, Sr. had stated, “We understand the changes in the employment process since then as well as the Band’s tenacity for a dedicated TERO Building.  We are planning to have Union certified programs for Leech Lake Band members.”  Chairman Jackson, Sr. had also stated, “My experience with a potential employer who a had particular request during a job interview.  My hair was way down to my waist, and the employer says to me, Faron, if we gave you a chance to work here, would you mind cutting your hair?  I had kept my braids as a reminder of our culture.”  TERO Director Harrison had stated, “TERO stands for our commitment to protecting employment rights, to promoting Native preference hiring and to building a strong, sufficient Tribal economy.”
  • Trump Administration returning 5 billion in public school funding – On July 25, 2025 the federal government froze the money on June 30 to allow for the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to review nearly $7 billion allocated for schools. The Trump administration says it will return the remaining more than $5 billion in funding that it previously withheld from public schools for nearly a month, alleviating school administrator’s anxiety about federal funding hurdles for the 2025 – ‘26 school year.

Safety note: We are half way through the summer, the air quality alerts for fire smoke and fine particles has made this summer a challenge for Band members with asthma, sinus problems, and respiratory conditions, please wear a N-95 mask.  Chairman Jackson, Sr. was the safety compliance representative for Xcel Energy before retirement.  Please be safe and take care!