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, here is some of the news being reported to the great Leech Lake Nation.

    • 2024 Annual Anishinaabe Spirit Run – On July 31 and concluding on August 3, 2024 the Mind, Body, Spirit, Heart is the theme of the 23rd Annual Spirit Run. This event was sponsored by the Leech Lake YCDPP, the Red Lake CHP, and the Mash Ka Wisen Center of Sawyer. The 200-mile Spirit Run hard started off with an opening ceremony and remarks at the Red Lake Pow-wow grounds. The spirit run had traveled to the Leech Lake Nation Veteran’s Pow-wow grounds for a traditional ceremony that had provided spiritual guidance with a prayer and Gary Charwood had a strong message on why the spirit run was so important for Indian Country. The spirit run had concluded in Sawyer with the runners carrying the eagle staffs to the Pow-wow arena. The Native American Medicine Wheel is the guide that carries a strong message with spiritualism & wellness.

 

  • Chairman Jackson, Sr. Delivers Strong Message in the Leech Lake Land Restoration Celebration – On July 17, 2024 the Leech Lake Nation had been Celebrating with esteemed Leech Lakers, U.S. Congressional Leaders, Minnesota Legislatures, the Lt. Governor, DOI officials, and the NCAI President. Chairman Jackson, Sr. had stated, “In a statement that the move was one of the most significant positive developments of the Tribe since the original treaties were signed and the reservation was established in 1855. With immense joy and hope for our future, we celebrate this significant step in restoring our illegally transferred lands. I had extended my deepest gratitude to the Forest Service and our Tribal staff for their efforts in making this land transfer a reality. For more than a century, the Leech Lake People have tirelessly worked to reclaim their ancestral lands. An emotional Chairman had told the assembled audience at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School, to us, to me, it feels like it’s a relative returning home when this land was returned to the Leech Lake Nation.” Chairman Jackson, Sr. had talked about a new bill that Senator Smith is sponsoring the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Technical Corrections Act that identified another 4,362 acres illegally taken. The Leech Lake RBC Tribal Council has been lobbying the U.S. Congress. Senate 616 has been passed by the Committee on Indian Affairs and the next step will be the lobbying Congress to pass the bill and President to sign it into law.

 

  • Public Service Announcement on the Leech Lake “GOTV” – This coming November 5, 2024 we will be having elections for county, the Minnesota Legislature, U.S. Congressional candidates, and Presidential candidates. The Leech Lake “Get Out The Vote” message is about supporting candidates that understand who we are, the great needs of the Leech Lake Nation that pays taxes and the treaty obligations, and why we matter in their pursuit of public office. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has many unmet needs that include adequate medical care, the loss of our land, direct funding from the U.S. Government that’s not pass thru dollars from the State of Minnesota, and equitable funding for our Housing Programs. Chairman Jackson, Sr. wants to personally recognize Governor Walz’s contributions to Indian Country and being selected as Harris’ V.P. pick.

 

  • I.H.S. Drive Thru Pharmacy to Break Ground in 2027 – On July 24, 2024 Chairman Jackson, Sr. had a meeting with I.H.S. CEO Lankowicz, Deputy CEO Dauphinais, and Project Manager Ireland. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the I.H.S. Expansion Phases and the Drive Thru Pharmacy. The I.H.S. team had submitted the Pharmacy Pick-Up drawing and the master plan concept drawings for the new construction. The Cass Lake Service Unit revitalization and expansion project is a partnership with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and is utilizing public law 638 construction contracts for design and construction. The new space will expand the dental, physical therapy, optometry, audiology, drive-thru pharmacy, and remodeling the existing facility. Chairman Jackson, Sr. had stated that expansion of the I.H.S. Hospital is critical for the Leech Lake People’s medical needs and adding new components that are generally in most hospitals. The I.H.S. team had stress that they need help with addressing the funding for the new staff because the expansion did not include operational costs. This would include staffing and professional service providers.

 

  • Onigum Community’s Russell Tucker Memorial Beach & Park – The Onigum Community had an idea to provide their children a safe place to swim, picnic, barbeque stands, and just have fun. This idea had been talked about for decades, on July 26, 2024 the final pieces had been installed. The water buoy fence will protect the children from boaters that vacation in the area. In other news, the Onigum community had hosted the Legacy Kid’s Fishing Contest on July 13, 2024 at the memorial beach & park area.

 

  • Designating a Day to Honor Leech Lake Princesses & Braves – Leech Lake Chairman Jackson, Sr. is formally recognizing the Leech Lake Princesses & Braves of the Leech Lake Nation. The Leech Lake Princess & Braves are honored titles that represent our proud culture as it was in the beginning of time. In the near future, we will have discussions with community members and families on a proposed day that’s appropriate. I shall ask the RBC Tribal Council to approve a designated day each year to recognize the Leech Lake Princesses & Braves that represent the Leech Lake Nation, their communities, schools, and families. Mii-Gwetch to the Leech Lake Princesses & Braves.

Safety note: In keeping our elders safe, check walk ways and stairs that are free from clothes and toys will prevent slips and falls. In many areas, we still have high fire warnings; please do not throw out cigarette butts. We do not want to accidentally start any fires on our beautiful Tribal Nation. Please be safe and take care!