Annual Report 2013 - Chairwoman Carri Jones

Annual Report
2013
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Annual Report
2013
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Contents
Mission Statement..................................................................................................3
Letter from Chairwoman Jones & LLBO Tribal Council..............4-5
Tribal Government Administration.............................................................6
History of the Leech Lake Band Ojibwe......................................................7
FY 2012 Highlights
Preservation of our Heritage.............................................................8-9
Promotion of our Sovereignty.....................................................10-11
Enhancing our way of Life.............................................................12-13
Commitment to Responsible Government.............................14-15
Financial Reports...................................................................................16-17
General Administration..........................................................................18-19
Youth.....................................................................................................20-21
Education..............................................................................................22-25
Bug-o-Nay-Ge-Shig-School...........................................................23
Leech Lake Tribal College..........................................................24-25
Economic & Workforce Development...................................................26-27
Health and Human Services.....................................................................28-29
Resource Management............................................................................30-31
Tribal Courts & Public Safety.............................................................32-33
Public Works................................................................................................34
Housing Authority.......................................................................................35
Veteran’s Affairs....................................................................................36-37
Gaming Operations................................................................................38-39
2
Mission Statement
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
is committed to
the responsible operation of our government,
preservation of our heritage,
promotion of our sovereignty,
and the protection of natural resources
for our elders and future generations,
while enhancing the health,
economic well-being, education, &
our inherent right to live as Ojibwe People.
3
Letter From The
Chairwoman Carri Jones
Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe
Trib al Council
B
oozhoo, fellow Band Members, and friends of the Leech Lake
Band of Ojibwe. I am honored and pleased to present the Band’s
2013 Annual Report.
Reflecting on the success of Fiscal 2013, it was a year of
positive growth and achievement for Leech Lake. We have worked to
fulfill our principle commitments, by developing stronger relationships,
increasing our service capacity, and strengthening our self governance.
As a result, we conclude our fiscal year with much to celebrate.
We celebrate the accomplishments we have made to preserve
our heritage & promote our sovereignty. We celebrate the achievements
we have made to advance our culture. And we celebrate the fact that we
have achieved our goals by fulfilling our commitment to responsible
tribal government.
We have increased efficiency with improvements in fiscal
management, communications, and organizational leadership. Each
Chairwoman
area has improved consistently, which makes us a more productive
Carri Jones
entity. We are now operating at an expense rate 8% ($6m) lower than
the previous year, while our total revenues have increased by 4% ($3m),
resulting in an overall positive fund balance. Our financial performance
reflects the effort of the Band’s leadership team, to integrate fiscal
accountability into their day-to-day management routines.
We have also improved our communications. The Band’s leadership team which is comprised of our division
managers and ancillary leadership (Housing, Tribal College & Bug-School) come together regularly to share ideas. They
work to explore linkages between their initiatives and, with the support of a wonderful workforce they implement strategies
to advance our sovereign initiatives.
For example, to preserve our heritage, we must have the ability to practice the customs, ceremonies, and rites that
keep our cultural identity intact. Our Health & Human service programs work to assure the population is physically and
mentally capable of practicing these traditions. Therefore, our HHS actives work to preserve our heritage. In addition, our
HHS activities produce residual benefits that help us advance our way of life such as increased economic development
through job creation and the introduction of employment income. They also promote educational attainment with career
opportunities in a specialized workforce.
Throughout this report we are highlighting several collaborative projects & initiatives that seek to fulfill the goals
of our mission statement and introduce you to the people and programs that keep them going. I finish by saying we are
approaching a new era. We are continuing to build our Nation under a new culture of collaboration and commitment to
common purpose. This is responsible government. This is the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Miigwech.
Carri Jones,
Chairwoman
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
4
Secretary/Treasurer
District I Representative
Donald Finn
Robbie Howe
District II Representative
District III Representative
Steve White
LeRoy Staples Fairbanks III
5
Tribal Government Administration
Committed to the responsible operation of our government
Executive Director
Steven Howard
Economic Development
Kim Nagel
Education & Employment
Gloria Dudley & Delmar Jones
Health & Human Services
Edward Frankeowiak & Doris Jones
Resource Management
Richard Robinson JR.
Public Safety
Ken Washington JR.
Public Works
Vernon Lyons
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Deputy Director
Veteran’s Affairs
Franklin Bowstring
Youth & Early Childhood
Lee Turney
Tribal Court Chief Judge
Paul Day
Accounting/ Finance
Breanna Miettinen
DeBahJiMon
Christopher Haugen
Government Relations
Eli Hunt
Management Information Systems
Frank Reese
Pete Paquette
Internal Audit
Rebecca Chase
Legal Department
Leonard Fineday
Facilities Maintenance
Guy Cloud
Human Resources
Sarah Jones
Planning /Development
Richard Jones
Purchasing
Darold Madigan
A Brief History of the Leech Lake Band Ojibwe
P
reserved through traditional stories; the account of the Anishinaabe migration from the shores of the Atlantic to the shores of
Leech Lake and beyond, chronicle our ancestry, culture, traditions, and the many aspects that have rooted our ancient connection
to this place we call home. The “Three Fire Confederacy” (Anishinaabe, Odaawaa, and Potawatomi) began this journey together,
but on the course of the migration, groups chose to make their homes at different landmarks along the route. Four major stops along
the way were, the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the shores of Lake Huron, Sault Ste. Marie and LaPoint Island. The Ojibwe
also stopped for over a century at Madeleine Island as they were beginning to displace the Dakota from the upper-woodlands. The
journey took about three centuries, and was guided by teachings that were recorded on birch bark scrolls using a writing style we
called “miziniichigan”. Western scholars refer to these records as mnemonic devices, or as pictographic symbolism.
In the late eighteenth century, after our arrival in the area that is now Minnesota, the clan system organized and delineated
individual duties. Through the migration, some clans split from the main contingency, and after the migration there were five key
clans to which all others were connected. This system was used in the decision-making process, what we would refer to now as a
“governing structure”.
During the late nineteenth century, what was to become the Leech Lake Reservation was formed through a series of Treaties
and Executive Orders. The Treaty of 1855 established our land-base three years before Minnesota was admitted to the Union as the
32nd State. The Indian Reorganization Act, signed into law in 1934, established the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) which is the
centralized organization under which the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was created. The MCT was established on June 18, 1934, but
the organization and its constitution were recognized by the Secretary of the Interior two years later on July 24, 1936.
As World War II came to a close, “Indian Termination” was the policy of the United States from the mid-1940s to the mid1960s. This initiative declared that Native Americans would be better off if assimilated as individuals into mainstream American
society. Therefore, Congress proposed to end the special relationship between tribes and the federal government. The intention was
to grant Native Americans all the rights and privileges of citizenship, and to reduce dependence. In other words, the policy terminated
the U.S. government’s recognition of sovereignty, trusteeship of Indian reservations, and exclusion of Indians from state laws.
Along with the uprising of the civil rights movement of the early 1960’s came the age where tribal governments really took hold
and began to form. Under the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s Constitution the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s By-Laws were adopted and
implemented. These documents would become the foundation that would forge the very beginnings of the governments that we now have.
This new chapter of Tribal self-determination that took form in the 1960’s and grew in the 1970’s developed even more in
the 1980’s to offer more services and programs for enrolled band members.
Russell and Helen Bryan, an Ojibwe couple living in northern Minnesota, got a property tax bill from Itasca County. They
never received anything like this before. Unwilling to pay, they took the tax notice to a Leech Lake attorney who brought suit
to challenge the tax in the State courts. The Bryans lost their case, and they lost again on appeal in a unanimous decision by the
Minnesota Supreme Court. They then sought review in the United States Supreme Court. In a far-reaching and unanimous decision
the US Supreme Court held not only that states do not have authority to tax Indians on Indian reservations, but that they also lack the
authority to regulate Indian activities on Indian reservations. Within a couple years, Tribes began to operate bingo halls in several
different locations around the United States. The stage was now set for Indian gaming to take hold and help usher in an era that would
help rebuild and enhance the lives of American Indians across the country.
In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) which authorized tribes to create casino like halls,
but the states and Indians must be in Tribal-State compacts, and the federal government has the power to regulate the gaming.
Essentially, the IGRA maintained that the tribes still have a right to all classes of gaming except when states do not accept that class
or it clashes with a federal law.
Since the explosion of gaming into reservation life, Leech Lake has developed three separate gaming operations in order to
generate revenue and help enhance band member lives. With the revenue from gaming, other enterprises have been created to help
bolster our economic base to create jobs and foster the growth of our local economy. With the opportunity of gaming there has been
a growing concern that it can’t sustain us forever. In the future our businesses need to be diverse and numerous.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has come through the rigors of a tumultuous history that has no doubt set us on a path no
one could have predicted. From first contact, to our culture and daily lives being altered as a result of the settlement of the West, to
the boarding-school era and assimilation on through to when the Leech Lake Band’s Members took back the direction of our future in
contemporary history through self-determination: We have met incredible challenges in the face of insurmountable social undercurrents
that could have completely defeated us. They did not. We have faced every obstacle and have come through to the other side. We
have found success where there had seemingly been none to speak of. The Leech Lake Band now looks to the future with not only
hope, but with aspirations that will have us reaching for the stars through our vision of the future that our ancestors can be proud of.
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P r e s e r vat i o n
of our heritage
Approximately 3500 Dancers attend LLBO’s Powwows
Memorial Day Traditional Pow Wow
May 24 - 26, 2013 / Cass Lake, Minnesota
Onigum 15th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
July 26 - 28, 2013 / Onigum, Minnesota
Waa Wiye Gaa Maag 9th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
June 21 - 23, 2013 / S. Lake, Minnesota
Cha Cha Bah Ning 33rd Annual Traditional Pow Wow
August 23 - 25, 2013 / Inger, Minnesota
4th of July Traditional Pow Wow
July 5 - 7, 2013 / Cass Lake, Minnesota
Wee Gitchie Ne Me I Dim Contest Pow Wow
August 30 - September 1, 2013 / Cass Lake Minnesota
Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Days Traditional Pow Wow
July 19 - 21, 2013 / Ball Club, Minnesota
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Battle Point 16th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
September 20 - 22, 2013 / Sugar Point, Minnesota
May 2013 was the 8th Annual Spiritual Run. In all this year there were 65 youth runners, 12 youth program staff, 6
volunteers, a map coordinator, a drum keeper, a spiritual advisor, a runner advisor, Leech Lake EMT, Leech Lake Tribal
Police, Itasca County Sherriff’s Department and 6 Leech Lake Local Indian Councils helped to make the 8th Annual Spiritual
Run a HUGE success. Upon crossing all rivers an offering of knickinck was offered to the water spirits in thanks.
9
Promotion of
our Sovereignt y
T
Leech Lake Tribal Council Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Chippewa National Forest
Seated, from left to right: Chippewa National Forest Supervisor Darla Lenz, LLBO Chairwoman Carri Jones,
LLBO Secretary-Treasurer Donald Finn; standing, from left to right: LLBO District III Representative LeRoy StaplesFairbanks III, U.S. Forest Service Regional Tribal Liaison Larry Heady, LLBO District I Representative Robbie Howe,
Chippewa National Forest Tribal Relations Specialist Neil Peterson, LLBO Environmental and Land Director Levi Brown,
LLBO Resource Management Director Rich Robinson, Jr., LLBO Fish, Wildlife and Plant Director Steve Mortensen, LLBO
District II Representative Steve White.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Tribal Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the Leech Lake Band and the Chippewa National Forest on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the Tribal Council headquarters in Cass Lake.
The MOU outlines the relationship between the Leech Lake and the Forest Service, including the process for consultation and communication. The Leech Lake Band and the Forest Service share very similar borders, and the MOU will
assist in continuing a collaborative and productive relationship between the Band and the Forest for years to come.
he Native Nations Institute came to Leech Lake and gave presentations. Thr presentations on nation building included,
a comparison of successful tribes and less successful tribes, ideas on how to strengthen tribal government through
strategic thinking and a look at the American Indian leadership roles across the United States.
The Nation Building approach puts the control of development into the Band’s hands, and creates consequences
to poor decisions as a practical self-determination model. It also requires an effective non-politicized method for dispute
resolution in the form of a strong independent court system that is above party or political interest. The Nation Building
approach also has a cultural link that conforms to traditional ideals regarding authority and how that authority is organized
and used.
GET OUT THE NATIVE VOTE
VOTE NO
VOTER ID RESTRICTION
Chairwoman Jones Addresses IRS General
Welfare Exclusion at The National Indian
Gaming Association.
L
10
eech Lake continues to advocate for tribal provisions to be added to
the Federal Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) General Welfare Exclusion (GWE), which excludes benefits received from state & federal
general welfare programs from federal taxation.
Lose applications of the GWE in Indian Country, by IRS field
agents conducting audits of tribal welfare programs, has resulted in
negative consequences for tribes. Our efforts seek deference to the
reserved right for tribes to determine the general welfare of our citizens and
equitable treatment of our programs as it pertains to federal income tax.
On September 20th of 2012 Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Hosted an Educational
Forum and Rally Against the Proposed Voter ID Amendment to the Minnesota
Constitution. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe worked to maintain our
tribal identification card as a state eligible/equal form of personal identity.
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E nh a nci n g
our way of life
New Leech Lake Tribal College Library
with space for a Learning Center, a smart classroom, and a cultural archives.
Sugar Point
Community Center and Head Start
I
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n Late March the Leech Lake Tribal College hosted the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The visit covered several
issues having to do with the college, its current standing, and possible avenues of future progress for the growing
institution. Leech Lake leaders were on hand to offer their insight to the conversation and to help give the Office of Higher
Education Director and his staff perspective regarding the Leech Lake Tribal College landscape.
13
C om mitment
to Responsible
Go v ernment
T
he Band preserves a commitment to the responsible
operation of tribal government which we’ve
demonstrated with fiscal management, program
performance & increased potential for the future.
Furthermore, the Band continues to build partnerships,
within the state and federal governments to advance our
sovereign initiatives, through increased advocacy and
engagement.
Boy River Bridge Project
The Band has secured funding from the Federal Highway Administration for the new Boy River Bridge. The Band
is working in collaboration with Cass County on the bridge’s design and inspection. Construction is anticipated to begin in
late August 2013, and is expected to carry over into late June, 2014. The new bridge project involves replacing the existing
bridge with a new model that will include a ten foot sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and a five foot sidewalk on the
west side of the bridge as well as providing space for parking and a new fishing pier.
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15
Fi n a nce
General Fund FY 2013
Finance/Accounting
T
he Finance department provides financial reporting and analysis of tribal activities to
assure financial integrity and viability. Other key functions include, Accounts Payable
& Receivable, Centralized Purchasing, Payroll, and Asset & Risk Management.
FY 2013 Revenues Graph:
Approximately thirty percent of our government’s budget is made up of Grants and
Contracts through Federal & State Governments and Local agencies. Over the past few
years the government has increased their billing to increase the overall program fees. As
of right now the Tribal Council has left the settlement dollars in investment accounts until
decisions are made to benefit the Band and its Members as a whole.
General Fund FY 2013
Expenditures v. Budget Graph: Throughout the fiscal year the Government
Programs have been working hard to become fiscally responsible and accountable for
their budgets. According to the chart the Government programs have proven their success.
At the completion of fiscal year our Expenditures for the General Fund have came in at
approximately $3.6 million under budget. From this chart it shows that our programs are
utilizing their grant funds or program fees more effectively.
FY 2013 Expenditures v. Budget:
Following the same trend as the chart above the expenditures are coming in less
than originally budgeted. Our Divisions are taking more responsibility and ownership of
their budgets and are becoming more fiscally responsible. By them becoming more fiscally
responsible they are able to operate their programs more effectively and efficiently; and are
able to make long range plans for future development of their divisions.
Overall these graphs and charts indicate that during this last fiscal year the Tribal
Council, Executive Staff, Division Directors, and staff are working diligently on keeping
expenditures down and increasing revenue. This past fiscal year the Band is demonstrating
that fiscal management is important in order for the Band to make strides forward. Overall
the revenues are exceeding the expenditures by approximately $11.3 million. Our Divisions
are continuing their effort to manage their budgets and work together in a collaborative
effort on projects.
Revenue FY 2013
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Federal, State, & Other Grants
Program Fees
Gaming Allocation
Business Enterprise
Indirect Cost Pool
Enbridge (including TERO)
Nelson Act
Salazar Self Governance
Tax Revenue Powerline
Interest Income Total Revenue $29,496,344.47
$19,034,673.53
$11,556,821.00
$10,954,843.50
$5,476,408.96
$3,657,339.00
$2,565,691.38
$3,341,400.00
$2,110,090.95
$8,705,969.05
$1,500,000.00
$297,549.34
$98,697,131.18
Other Governmental
Activities
Public Works Medical Insurance
Tribal Police Housing & Constituent
Services
Tribal Referral Youth Early Childhood
Tribal Courts Resource Management
Education
Economic Development
Bug School
Heritage Sites Enrollments
Totals Expenses
Budget
$8,471,000.43 $9,498,637
$2,436,925.24 $2,630,000.00 $1,391,597.60 $3,218,970
$2,395,000
$2,058,929
$1,321,002.11 $1,106,674
$1,014,028.90 $731,217.16 $509,656.41 $460,288.76 $418,156.24 $632,095.22 $568,495.47 $243,977.81 $31,468.58 $25,122.90 $864,245
$1,032,588
$790,187
$595,636
$627,261
$998,052
$733,678
$489,421
$99,268
$61,399
$20,885,032.83
$24,569,945
Expenditures v. Budget FY 2013
Expenditures
Budget
Other Governmental
$16,135,834.04 Activities
$11,434,194.89 Social Services Business Enterprise
$10,037,136.75 Health $7,261,721.97 Indirect Cost Pool
$7,169,503.35 Roads $7,114,318.25 Bug School
$7,059,441.03 Early Childhood
$4,696,968.88 Resource Management $4,211,690.54 Tribal Police $2,623,780.69 Education
$1,823,733.07 Planning
$1,756,046.65 Housing & Constituent $1,396,024.01 Services
$1,294,830.28 Tribal Referral Tribal Courts $1,223,837.67 Youth $984,659.32 Heritage Sites $426,847.93 Economic Development $292,040.39 TERO $271,190.94 Enrollments
$126,281.08 $15,979,906
Total
$20,493,313
$10,169,853
$9,177,592
$9,052,396
$13,277,028
$7,513,736
$1,854,528
$5,190,872
$3,841,183
$1,992,564
$3,276,067
$1,175,727
$3,052,418
$1,866,251
$1,040,785
$276,699
$271,781
$516,755
$147,832
$87,340,081.73 $110,167,286
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Adm i n i s tr ation
ADMINISTRATION
L
eech Lake’s Sovereign Initiatives are supported by a number of key departments
and programs within the General Administration. The general administration keeps
the Band’s initiatives moving forward. From planning to implementation the general
administration is involved in all aspects of tribal government.
HUMAN RESOURCES
T
he Human Resources Department assists management in reaching their goals by
working closely with management to bring together talent and resources for effective
achievement.
Throughout the last fiscal year, the department has provided training for 700
employees. These trainings include New Employee Orientation, Supervisory Training,
Telephone Etiquette and many others. The Band’s Medical and Dental plan currently has
2573 Active participants.
The department is responsible for the Official LLBO Website which is updated
continuously and the Band’s Resource Guide which is printed once a year. The department
is also responsible for planning and hosting two major events every year, which are the
Annual Employee Picnic and the Take Your Child to Work events.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
T
he Legal Department provides legal counsel and services to the internal divisions,
programs and entities of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Under its current organizational
structure, the Legal Department serves three primary purposes: In-House Legal Counsel,
Band Prosecution, and Child Support Enforcement.
The department also handles Tribal Court prosecution, with occasional assistance
from an outside Conflicts Attorney. The department enforces the Band’s Traffic Code,
Juvenile Code, and other laws. The department also works closely with the Housing
Authority on eviction and unlawful detainer proceedings. The Program also administers
and enforces the Band’s Child Support Code.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS)
T
he MIS Division consists of six departments, which are: Administration, Personal Computers (PC’s), Telephone Network
(Telecom), Data Network (Internet & Email), KOJB 90.1FM, and the newly formed Wireless Telecommunications
Project, incorporated under Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) TITLE 8 Business Corporate Code.
MIS provides 56k data and voice to LLBO programs, businesses, casinos, gaming, housing, tribal college, and
Mpls office through the wide area telephone network with four number dialing for all 2200-2300 extensions. The computer
network provides internet and email for 585 governmental program users of LLBO.
•
KOJB added new news and weather programming to better serve the Leech Lake Reservation. Bring Me The News
provides KOJB up to the minute News and Sports reporting from around the state of Minnesota seven days a week.
•
KOJB has added capabilities to warn the entire Leech Lake Reservation and surrounding area of approaching or imminent
severe weather. WeatherEye Weather Center Meteorologists are able to break into programming with storm warnings 24
hours a day 365 days a year. When severe weather strikes anywhere on the reservation KOJB is ready to warn the public
to seek safety or prepare for severe weather events. KOJB has installed backup power systems to remain on the air and
work with emergency personnel on the reservation after the storm to let the listeners know where they can get help.
•
A translator rebroadcasting KOJB’s 90.1FM signal on 105.3 FM in Bemidji will serve over 550 enrolled band members
with a better signal in the Bemidji area and will give band members updates on events and happenings on the
reservation. This signal will not only serve more Leech Lake Band members but over 3,000 Native Americans and a
populace of over 14,000 people from the 105.3 FM signal of KOJB in Bemidji.
In addition to these functions, the department is at the forefront of the Band’s many
sovereign initiatives: Nation Building, Government Reform, and the development of Tribal
Legislation are all sovereign priorities advanced with assistance of the Legal department.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
F
acilities Management’s employs approximately 51 community members. The
department performs both general and specialized maintenance services on an inventory
of 20+ properties owned or in use by the LLBO.
INTERNAL AUDIT & INVESTIGATIONS
T
he internal Audit Division seeks to provide an independent, objective assurance and
consulting activity designed to add value and improve the LLBO tribal government
operations. Throughout FY 2013 the division conducted a series of 38 program evaluations
contributing to the success of the Band’s FY13 Fiscal Performance.
The Internal Investigations Division has assisted in the successful integration of
a paperless time-management system. By investing in new capabilities we have increased
our employee efficiency by allowing them to forego the remedial task of tracking time.
TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING
T
he Department of Tribal Development & Planning helps advance the Band’s initiatives by developing plans to
increase its overall capacity by expanding the tribal government infrastructure. Throughout the last fiscal year the
Tribal Development department has lead the Government Center Construction Project, and assisted in securing resources to
advance many initiatives mentioned in this report.
From 2010 to 2013 the Tribal Development Division has applied for 67 grants or assisted in applications for a
total request of $38,347,738 in grant funding. As a result Leech Lake has been awarded 38 grants for $14,634,477 and has
$11,244,417 pending determinations in funding requests from granting agencies in FY’13.
TRIBAL ENROLLMENTS
T
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he Department of Tribal Enrollments is responsible for keeping an accurate census of our Leech Lake Tribal Members.
The department also verifies service eligibility, and assists tribal members in obtaining tribal records. This year the band
enrolled 158 applicants bringing the total enrollment of the Leech Lake band to 9,372.
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Youth
Youth Program
T
he Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Cass Lake area Boys & Girls Club have
initiated discussions to consolidate youth services on the Leech Lake Reservation
and the surrounding area. Through combined efforts this initiative will offer a more
comprehensive service plan to better serve the area youth.
•
Expanded services to add the Oak Point/Wilkinson communities and the city of Bemidji
to the Youth Services area.
Youth Chemical Dependency Prevention Program (YCDPP)
•
YCDPP Work Plan revised ad approved at the state level in July of 2012.
•
Female Youth Programs staff was trained in Daughters of Tradition in October of 2012,
and shortly thereafter programming was implemented.
•
Male staff attended the “Sons of Tradition” in May of 2013. There had been ongoing
Sons sessions with staff that felt comfortable enough to implement talking circles and
other cultural pieces with youth themselves.
•
There are ongoing Youth Culture Treat Camps in various districts each month with
several activity’s for the youth to engage in the activity is always popular and we serve
anywhere from 20 to 75 youth per event.
912 Kids attended this Years
Perch Jerk 103 bikes, and many
other door prizes were received
by Leech Lake area youth.
Youth Tobacco Free Communities
•
Re-establishment of the Youth Advisory Council kicked off January 17th 106 youth
attended.
•
8th Annual Spiritual Run.
Leech Lake Summer Foods Program
has nine sites across the reservation
that serves Breakfast and Lunch to
approximatly 450 kids per day.
Clearway Education and Policy Program
April 9, 2013 Programs collaborated on an Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs
event. It brought out partners from other departments and people from the community
discussion was around the enormous disparities between tobacco use of the people who
live Leech Lake Housing which is a whopping 79 % s the State wide average of 16 %.
Sports and Recreation:
•
Basketball League
100 kids are registered for the season
•
Tournaments – 380
Sports & Rec, Big Don Bellanger, Pacesetters
•
Boxing – 17
7 Boxing Cards away 1 Hosted by Leech Lake Boxing Club
•
Sons of Tradition 30
Gathered red willow to make knicknik and cedar. Did talking circles and a rabbit
snaring exercise, pow-wows, moccasin games, language tables.
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T
he Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Leech Lake Area (BGCLLA) have
joined together in order to strategically and more efficiently address our regions youth development needs. Under
a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will merge Band youth programs into the Boys
and Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area. BGCLLA will remain a 501c3 Non Profit but will also function under the Bands
government structure.
Both parties agree that merging the Boys and Girls Club youth development model and the Band’s strong cultural
programming will create a single focused effort. Youth development is a priority, eliminating duplication of programming,
and bringing together the strengths of both organizations will help expand services and impacts. The work that we do under
this agreement will become a model for youth development and program delivery in tribal and rural communities.
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Education
Early Childhood
The following srides have been made in Early Childhood Programming this year:
Early Headstart
•
•
•
•
Working with the Tribal College to start an Early Head Start Center at the College
serving enrolled students at the college.
13 Early Head Start Teachers received their CDA Certification in Infant & Toddler.
Pregnant Mom’s have been served in the past year thru the Early Head Start Pregnant
Mom’s program.
Early Head Start continues to serve 6 children in a EHS-FCC program option.
Head Start:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Worked in collaboration with other LLBO programs to add a Head Start classroom to
serve 20 children at the new Sugar Point Community Center.
Trained all teaching staff in a new curriculum (Creative Curriculum) and a new child
tracking system called Teaching Strategies Gold.
2 Education Program Managers, 1 ECSE Manager and 2 other staff received their certification as CLASS Observers.
1 Education Program Manager and two Head Start Team Leaders received their BA
Degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia of St Paul.
4 Team Leaders received their AA Degree in Early Childhood Development from the
Tribal College.
19 Teachers received their Pre-k Child Development certification.
9 Family Service Advocates received their certification in Home Visiting.
Child Care Services:
•
•
•
58 families and 122 children served and $120,901 funds spent thru the Child Care
Subsidy program
$39,151 have been paid out to support LLBO provider grants.
I Family Child Care Provider and 7 Head Start and 4 Early Head Start Centers are
licensed by LLBO.
MnTRECC:
•
•
•
•
Education Programs
Post Secondary
Grant Program
Johnson O’Malley
Program JOM
The Higher Education
Program has funded 262
students for 2012-13
22
An Ojibwe based cultural curriculum was developed and released to the 7 Ojibwe
tribes and School Districts for use in their school settings
A series of 26 books were translated into the Ojibwe language and are being prepared
for release in support of the Ojibwe curriculum.
The Amaze Curriculum was released and programs received training on it, it relates to
dealing with “bullying”.
Working with the 11 Federally recognized tribes in Minnesota to develop a culturally
based Professional Development Model that acknowledges the cultural teachings such
as “Sugar Bush”, “Wild Rice Harvesting” etc and the community experts that carry on
those traditions.
Bug-o-Nay-Ge-Shig School
S
ince 1975, students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade have
been learning their culture and language while attending the BugO-Nay-Ge-Shig School. The school was started in response to parents’
concerns that public schools were not meeting the students’ academic
and cultural needs and has grown in number from 35 to more than 240
students. In addition to reading, math, and science, students study the
Ojibwe language, Native American art, drum and dance, and seasonal
activities.
The school is accredited and is currently working in collaboration
with the Leech Lake Tribal College to provide concurrent enrollment
for eligible students in 11th and 12th grade. During the 2013 school
year, computer labs were upgraded and elementary students used iPads
in their classrooms for math and reading. Interactive whiteboards will
be installed in classrooms for the 2014 school year, enabling teachers
and students to maximize use of technology that will enable them to
connect with other Native communities across the region and throughout the world.
In addition to the K-12 school, the campus also houses the Ojibwe
immersion school, Niigaane. Begun in 2003 to revitalize the Ojibwe
language on the Leech Lake Reservation, Niigaane was developed one
year at a time, starting with the youngest students at Bug-O-Nay-GeShig School. The idea was not to focus on teaching Ojibwe but rather
to use the language as the medium of instruction in all subjects. Students can now attend school from kindergarten through 6th grade and
study all subjects in Ojibwemowen, successfully yielding the intended result: the language naturally rolls off students’
tongues, and recognition of and support for the school continues to grow.
In the spring of 2013, four Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig students accompanied Leech Lake representatives to Washington
D.C. to lobby for the new high school that has been promised for close to 20 years. Students spoke passionately about the
need for a new building. They requested Minnesota Congressional Members to do something to make the promise of a
better educational facility into a reality for the hundreds of students who will follow them. Recently, Acting Director Dr.
Monty Roessel visited the campus and has now also become an advocate for the school. We can only hope he follows in the
footsteps of the school’s namesake, Chief Bugonaygeshig (Hole in the Day) who “fought for the land and for the people, but
uppermost, he fought for the future of the children.”
Baseline Services:
•
6 Family Child Care
providers are enrolled
and going thru the Parent
Aware process that
assigns a STAR rating
based on education
and level of care being
provided.
23
Education
Leech Lake Tribal College
Programs of Study
Liberal Education Indigenous Leadership
Residential Carpentry Child Development
Law Enforcement
Natural ScienceEarly Liberal Ed - STEM
Business Management Childhood Education
Construction Electricity
Leech Lake Tribal College is entering the final phase of a fundraising campaign to construct a new building on
campus that will house its library, Learning Center, a smart classroom, and a cultural archive space. In addition to allowing
LLTC to better serve its students and community members, this new building will free up a significant amount of classroom
space in the existing buildings, allowing the college to continue to grow its academic programs as well.
80% of the $2.75 million project cost has been raised, and a groundbreaking ceremony will take place to kick off
construction in the summer of 2013. For information on donating to the Library Capital Campaign, please contact the LLTC
Advancement Office at 218-335-4286.
“Leech Lake Tribal College provides quality higher education
grounded in Anishinaabe values.”
S
ince its inception in 1990, Leech Lake Tribal College has grown and developed into a
regional leader in higher education. LLTC’s unique mix of academic programs, career
and technical education, and community education offerings all taught with an emphasis
on the values of the Anishinaabeg provide a strong platform for developing the regional
workforce and shaping the next
generation of community leaders.
2012-13 Enrollment Data
Total Enrollment
Fall 2012: 338 students
Spring 2013: 284 students
Native American students
Fall 2012: 88%
Spring 2013: 91%
17 different tribal nations
represented in 2012-13
24
In August 2012, Dr. Don
Day was hired as the new President
of Leech Lake Tribal College. An
enrolled member of the Leech
Lake Band of Ojibwe, Dr. Day has
a distinguished career in higher
education spanning three decades,
and brings an exciting vision
for continuing the growth and
development of LLTC.
Leech Lake Tribal College made its first foray into intercollegiate athletics in 2013, participating in the men’s
basketball tournament that was part of the 2013 AIHEC Student Conference. Despite having never played before - and only
one month to practice - the team made a great showing, taking Navajo Technical College into overtime before narrowly
losing a hard-fought game.
LLTC will form men’s and women’s basketball teams for the 2013-14 season, and will be competing in the Northern
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Former Cass Lake-Bena star, Brady Fairbanks, has been hired as the men’s coach and
recruiter, and is excited about giving area students the chance to continue their basketball careers while staying close to
home.
Key Partnerships
This year marked the beginning of a partnership between Leech Lake Tribal College and Red Lake Nation College
(RLNC), allowing RLNC to operate as an additional site of LLTC while it works towards achieving its own accredited
status. This partnership allows RLNC students to earn accredited credits and degrees through LLTC, while in return LLTC
receives a boost in operating funding.
In May, Governor Mark Dayton signed a historic piece of legislation which will provide operating funding from the
state of Minnesota for Minnesota’s tribal colleges. Prior to this, MN’s tribal colleges had received funding only for students
who are enrolled in a federally-recognized tribe, but nothing for non-Native students or for Native American students who
are not enrolled. LLTC is very thankful to all the legislators who supported this effort, especially Rep. John Persell and Sen.
Tom Saxhaug, who sponsored the bill.
Leech Lake Tribal College is committed to working with Native-owned businesses whenever possible. A great
example of this is the partnership developing between LLTC and Visions, Inc., which is owned by Jon Otto, an enrolled
member of the White Earth Nation. LLTC and Visions are partnering to develop a comprehensive, integrated strategy
encompassing student recruitment, website development, fundraising, and much more.
25
Economic & workforce Development
Economic & workforce Development
Economic Development
E
The following are programs under the Education Division
Tribal Employment & Training Programs
conomic Development works collaboratively with all LLBO Divisions and regional
partners to;
Native Employment Work Program
•
Build and maintain and/or build
telecommunications, and transportation);
Family Stabilization Services Program FSS
•
Support and develop a workforce that meets the needs of current and future enterprises;
•
Establish business codes and enterprise governance structures that supports both
tribally-owned and privately-owned enterprises;
•
Internally support, initiate or externally recruit the development of viable enterprises
that create jobs and increase revenues.
Workforce Investment Act WIA
physical infrastructure (roads, water,
In February 2013, economic development in collaboration with multiple LLBO
divisions began the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning
process. The CEDS is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the
creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the LLBO economy.
Community feedback sessions were held in each of the three Districts as well as each
LLBO Division provided insights. An online and paper survey was conducted with over
300 LLBO members responding. The highest priorities listed were (1) preservation of
natural resources and land acquisition, (2) cultural preservation and (3) education to build
workforce capacity. A draft of the CEDS is available for review and comment.
On February 22, 2013, the Council approved the establishment of Leech Lake
Financial Services (LLFS) under the LLBO Title 8 Business Code. With an established,
independent Board of Directors, LLFS is building its own internal structure for lending that
will allow LLFS to report and access information with the major Credit Bureaus, and make
personal and small business loans. Additional services available through LLFS include
personal financial education and small business planning. LLFS currently provides loans
through the Credit Builder Loan Program (CBLP) which provides small personal loans to
LLBO, Gaming and MCT employees. Personal financial education classes are also part of
the CBLP. Small Business Lending activities will be expanded as LLFS / CDFI assumes
Leech L a k e
A ssisted Living
Diversionary Work Program DWP
Minnesota Family Investment Program Mfip
•
LLBO Education Division hosted the 23rd
Annual Career/Job Fair on February 8, 2013.
•
The MFIP/DWP services approximately
200-250 participants per month.
LLBO employed 2 interns (above Seneca Auginash and
Karina Guinn) and approximately 58 Summer Youth
Workers this summer.
Tribal Employment Rights Office (T.E.R.O.)
The Band adopted its TERO ordinance in 1998 to create employment, business, and training opportunities for Leech
Lake tribal members. The TERO office allocates fees collected from enforcement of the TERO ordinance. This revenue is
invested into the current and future workforce by creating access to employment, Training, and by funding other government
functions pertaining to education and employment.
Access to Employment:
In FY 12 the TERO program served 42 applicants. Services include support
services such as transportation assistance, clothes, tools, and lodging stipends.
Training:
• Flagger Training to approximately 80 applicants.
• 19 applicants participated in OSHA training.
• 12 applicants received 16 hours of training
in Mold Mitigation and LEAD training.
Allocations to other functions:
Tribal College Library......................................$5,000.00
Sugar Point Head-start Facility.......................$15,000.00
Student Tools....................................................$3,750.00
Tribal Police School Back Pack Giveaway.........$500.00
Anokii-Daa Temporary Employment Program (T.E.P)
T
.E.P. works in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service & other local employers to provide temporary wages and
meaningful job skills for low income tribal members.
responsibility for this valuable resource to private business owners.
26
LLBO EDUCATION DIVISION
On June 6, 2013, Council approved an Architectural and Engineering (A&E)
contract with Meyer’s Group, LLC to design a 32 unit assisted living facility and master
plan 10 acres north of HIS as a health care campus. The plan is to be begin construction in
late Fall 2013. The facility and subsequent health services will employ an estimated 30-40
people in health occupations and other necessary services.
The program serves 1100 participants throughout the community by providing 135 positions daily at a rate of $9.00/
hr. (excluding holidays and seasonal downsizing.).
• From 2010 – 2013 TEP has helped 48 participants gain full time employment, which is an average of 16 real success
stories each year.
• From 2011 – 2013 TEP provided 488 participants with digital literacy and employment skills as part of the Minnesota
Intelligent Rural Communities project (M.I.R.C.) (A statewide initiative lead by the Grand Rapids based C.K. Blandin
Foundation.).
• TEP donated approximately 211 chords of fire wood to heat the homes of our Leech Lake elders and to assist with a
number of cultural practices.
• From 2011 – 2013 90% of all TEP participants have completed one (1) or more of the training opportunities provided:
Sawyer Training, CPR, Resumes, and Digital Literacy. A recent Water Craft Inspection program has helped our people
become aware of the problems posed by invasive species within the reservation’s waters.
27
Hea lth & Hum an Services
Health & Hum an Services
T
he Band’s Health and Human Services initiatives work to preserve the community’s
culture by assuring all tribal members are physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy
enough to keep the Aanishinaabe identity intact.
These initiatives consist of 35 programs that specialize in clinical health, addictions
and dependencies, elder care, specialized treatment, general welfare, child welfare and
behavioral health services. All programs are influenced by, and sensitive to, the philosophies
and practices preserved by the Leech Lake Aanishinaabe.
The Band’s collective population, which totals 9,372 enrolled members, is served
by the departments that carry each initiative forward. In addition, the Band provides
services to enrolled members of other federally recognized tribes & tribal descendents.
Over the last twelve months, activities and outcomes associated with each
initiative demonstrate the Band’s commitment to increasing community health & wellness.
Throughout the last fiscal year, the Band continued to sustain a trend of service growth and
expansion, which represents many of our fiscal year accomplishments:
•
New waiver programs for elders and those with disabilities;
•
Increased services within the Occupational Therapy Department to include; Laser
Therapy for diabetic wound care and; a Chiropractor who also specializes in acupuncture
or chronic pain patients;
•
Establish a new Leech Lake Ambulance EMS certified training center;
•
Expanded the Community Health Representative (CHR) program to include Medical
Transportation Service which resulted increased service delivery and program revenue;
•
Achieved accreditation of the Patient Benefits Program;
•
Developed a full State Health Improvement Strategies Program (SHIP) for our
reservation which has resulted in walking trails throughout the community;
•
Facility Improvements to the Food Distribution Building and equipment, Improvments
to the ENP kitchen equipment, lease and renovation of a larger clinic in Bemidji;
•
Introduction of Trauma Based Behavioral Health Services into our primary care clinics;
The Diabetes Center has achieved national
accreditation from the American Diabetes Association for its Health Educator
Program and in-troduced the “Transform the Rez” Fitness program.
The Behavioral Health program increased the Band’s capacity to provide Mental Health services.
In February of 2013, the program opened its new location north of the Cass Lake, MN I.H.S. Public Health Facility.
75% of clients are Leech Lake Band members while the other 25% are either descendants or other tribally enrolled. Client
services have increased across the board in all areas especially the children’s mental health services. Our staff is doing a
great job keeping up with the demand as well as continuously receiving more training to better provide for the people.
ICWA
The Band’s Child Welfare Initiatives work to protect our children’s sense of belonging to family and tribe by
providing them services that ensure their health, safety, well being and promote family preservation.
• In FY 13 the program reunited 70 children with their parents and relatives.
Opichi Wadiswan Project
In September, 2010, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was awarded a five year SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework
(SPF) Cooperative Agreement to develop a Five-year strategic plan to address Tribal capacity to support and provide alcohol
and other drug abuse prevention efforts, including behavioral health promotion.
The Opichi Wadiswan Project promotes Tribal sovereignty and self-determination through health and wellness
because “Culture is Prevention”.
The award of this project was 2.4 million dollars. 70% of this award is for implementation purposes, meaning the
funds of 70% cannot be used until the approval of the project’s strategic plan..
Throughout Fiscal Year 2013, the Band has worked to move this effort forward by completing two major objectives:
First, completion of Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Epidemiology Profile and Community Assessment focusing on
alcohol, tobacco and other drug consumption and consequential trends in the Leech Lake Tribal area and; Second, finalizing
the project’s Strategic Plan.
Both documents will be available on the Band’s Official Website under the Human Services tab.
Sustainable Initiatives
In fiscal year 2012, the Band’s Health and Human Service revenue decreased 12%, from $10.5 million the previous
year, to $9.3 million at the close of the reporting period. These losses can be attributed to administrative oversight and
competitive service markets.
However, since July 2012, the Band has been working to increase services and improve administrative functions
thereby expanding our client base. As a result, the Band concludes FY 2013 with much to celebrate having increased Health
and Human Service revenues by 7% ($7.4HK) for a total of $10 million.
Revenues earned are reinvested back into community health initiatives. For example, the Band uses revenue derived
from the specialized treatment program copied to supplement elder services and nutrition programs. HHS revenue is also
used as capital for viable projects designed to increase community health and wellness, which stimulates the local economy
by creating employment opportunities within one of the fastest growing industries.
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29
Res o urce M Anagement
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
T
he Division of Resource Management is one of the biggest and most important
programs of the Leech Lake band of Ojibwe. The Division of Resource Management
primary function is to protect the waters, lands, forests, fish, wildlife, plants, and other
natural and cultural resources on the Leech Lake Reservation for the current and future
use by our Band members.
Within The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management there are 10 programs
with 52 full time and 20-25 seasonal and part time staff. The Division of Resource
Management has an annual budget of over 5 million dollars. Within the Division of Resource
Management funding comes from Tribal Council direct funds, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department
of agriculture, APHIS, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and fees and revenues
collected internally.
•
Program Mission Statement
T
he Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Division of Resource Management is committed to
the protection, conservation, and enhancement of the bands Natural Resources in a
sustainable manner for the present and future benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
To this regard the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management strives to:
• Protect and support Leech Lake Band members right to hunt, fish and gather free
from regulation from the state.
• Protect the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s inherent sovereign authority to exercise a
broad range of civil jurisdiction over band members, non-band members, and nonIndians within the exterior boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation.
• Protect and preserve the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s lands, waters, and air
resources from degradation of any kind for the present and future benefit of the
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
• Protect and increase tribal ownership of land within the exterior boundaries of the
Leech Lake Reservation.
Division of Resource Management accomplishments for 2013
•
30
•
The Division of Resource Management is in the process of completing the revision
of the Leech Lake Conservation Code. As you are aware, in 1972 the Leech Lake
reservation won a historical battle to regain the right to hunt, fish, trap, and gather
free from state control. As part of the subsequent agreement it was agreed that
the band would develop a Conservation Code that the band would enforce on all
tribal members that exercise their rights within the Boundaries of the Leech Lake
•
•
•
•
Reservation. The last time the bands Conservation Code was revised was in 2002.
The Division of Resource Management completed a new Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) between the
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest. The primary purpose of this MOU is to establish
a framework for a government to government relationship between the Leech Lake Reservation and the Chippewa
National Forest to protect, manage, and enhance forest resources used by tribal members on the Chippewa National
Forest under their treaty reserved gathering rights.
The Division of Resource Management staff has stopped the cutting of over 3,800 acres of mature forest by the
Chippewa National forest based on information we have provided in regard to the use of these areas/resources by
our tribal members.
• The Division of Resource Management has promulgated regulations
to protect the bands lands,plants, and waters from invasive species
such as the Zebra Mussel Shell.
• Over the past year the Division of Resource Management Land
Program has purchased over 300 acres of land for the Leech Lake
Band of Ojibwe.
• The Division of Resource Management has initiated contact with the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Chippewa National Forest to put them
on notice that the band is seeking a legislative remedy to have the
Chippewa National Forest return the 18,000 acres of allotment lands
they acquired illegally through a process called Secretarial Transfers
or non consent land sales. The bands lobbyist in Washington is
working with the Minnesota delegation to try and get a bill through
congress that would accomplish this.
The Division of Resource Management this past year has stocked in reservation lakes over 70,000 Whitefish, 10
million Walleye fry, and close to 50,000 Walleye fingerlings. Over the past 15 years total stocking of Whitefish is
over 4 million and 180,000,000 Walleyes.
The Division of Resource Management has this past year received new Environmental Protection Agency funding
for the delineation and protection of wetlands within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation.
The Division of Resource Management has received funding to write a Hazard Mitigation plan for the Leech Lake
Reservation. The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a strategy to assess risks to the band, human and natural and develop a
plan to address them.
The Division of Resource Management staff continue to fight for the cleanup of the St Regis Superfund Site to the
bands standards, including the removal of additional soil at the site to address contaminants still getting into the
ground water, drinking water, Pike Bay and Fox Creek from the site. The band is also the lead trustee in the Natural
Resource Damage Assessment process which will at some point and time put a dollar value on the resources that
have been damaged by this site and a claim will be filed against all responsible parties.
31
TRibal Courts & Public Safety
32
TRib al Courts
PUBLIC SAFETY
“The Mission of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Police Department
is committed to a Loyal Partnership of Public Service, the prevention of crime and the preservation of the peace, safety
and order within the Leech Lake Reservation.”
“The Mission of the Leech Lake Tribal Court is to establish a fair and effective justice
system incorporating research-based practices and Ojibwe culture and values; to protect
the rights of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe people; to preserve natural and Band resources;
and to promote peace, health and public safety within the Leech Lake Reservation."
LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COURT
T
he Tribal Court handles all civil regulatory matters and the Reservation’s comprehensive
set of Tribal Codes and Ordinances.
The Tribal Court addresses public safety and provides restorative justice
programming for adults and juveniles involved in the court system. Bamenim Anishinaabeg
(“Care for the People”), the restorative justice program, seeks to promote healing and
address the underlying causes of crime and delinquency.
The Court’s restorative justice programming includes the Leech Lake/Cass/
Itasca County Wellness (DWI/Drug) Courts and Juvenile Restorative Justice The juvenile
restorative justice program provides high-risk, system-involved youth and their families
with a court-supervised alternative that emphasizes culturally-appropriate restorative
justice practices. The Wellness Courts have proven extremely effective with recidivism
rates of only 6% (LL-Cass) and 16% (LL-Itasca), compared to over 60% statewide and
nationally. The Juvenile Diversion Program has also showed lower recidivism rates (23%
for the Leech Lake Program, compared to 36% for the county program).
•
2012 Leech Lake/Cass/Itasca County Wellness (Drug/DWI) Courts awarded
National Criminal Justice Association’s Outstanding Tribal Criminal Justice Program
Award and Association of Minnesota County Achievement Award.
•
2012 Associate Judge Korey Wahwassuck recognized by Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD) for Wellness Court work.
•
U.S. Department of Justice to feature Tribal Court’s Wellness Courts and Juvenile
Restorative Justice Program as a Promising Practice included in a public awareness/
training video project looking at the effects of drugs and alcohol in Indian Country.
•
Leech Lake/Cass/Itasca County Wellness Courts featured in publications
highlighting promising practices in Indian County by Tribal Law & Policy Institute.
•
Leech Lake Tribal Court invited to apply for Harvard Honoring Nations All-Stars
Award for Joint Tribal-State Jurisdiction contribution. Successful applicants will
have work included
in exhibit at United
Nations and at the
Smithsonian Museum
of the American Indian.
Tribal Police Department
E
stablished in 1999, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department enforces civil regulatory regulations. In 2001 the Band
executed an agreement with Beltrami, Hubbard, Cass and Itasca Counties, as well as the City of Cass Lake and State of
Minnesota, to enforce criminal prohibitory violations within the Leech Lake Reservation boundaries.
Since its forming then the Department has built its capacity to 22 Officers. The department is staffed by a Police
Chief, Asst Chief, 3 Patrol Sergeants, a General Crimes Investigator a, Narcotics Investigator, 2 Domestic Violence/Sexual
Assault Investigators, 2 K-9 officers, 2 School Resource Officers, 1 Gaming Casino Officer and 8 patrol officers. The
department has 24/7 coverage with officers assigned to each district, which maximizes coverage and response.
The Department also has a Communications Dispatch Center consisting of 8 dispatchers and 1 Chief Dispatcher. The
Department’s civilian staff consists of a Community Service Officer, Transcriptionist, Substance Abuse Project Coordinator,
Meth Project Coordinator, and a maintenance person.
•
A.R.M.E.R.(Allied Radio Matrix Emergency Response)
A.R.M.E.R. is a $1.5 million communications plan that the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department uses to communicate
with its partners in public safety, fire, and ambulance. The Band has entered into an agreement with MNDOT to
erect a 330 foot tower on the Tribal Police Department property. This tower is a critical component of the state-wide
communication infrastructure.
•
Operations Center
The Leech Lake Tribal Police is currently in the process of renovating an existing structure into an Emergency
Operations Center (E.O.C.) This center will be an up-to-date emergency preparedness center that can respond,
meet and disseminate resources to emergent needs. This center will also serve as a training room for the Police
Department, Conservation Department, Ambulance and other public safety servers to complete community policing
training and other related trainings.
•
Leech Lake Legacy
The Leech Lake Tribal Police Department currently has a Community Service Officer position held by Rory
Haaland. Mr. Haaland has coordinated Animal/Spay Neuter Clinic’s for non-band and band members & non band
to provide them with low cost effective spay neuters for their pets.
33
Housing Authority
Leech Lake offers a variety of public
works services.
HISTORY
Community Services Program
• emergency home repair program
Fleet Management
• Provides maintenance and repair
work on all Leech Lake owned and
leased vehicles
• Also provides towing services and
repair work on constituent vehicles
for a fee
Heavy Equipment
• Provides earth works construction,
builds driveways, clearing lots,
moves mobile homes and demolition
services.
Small Vehicle Repair
• Provides automotive repair services
for Leech Lake Enrollees.
Tribal Roads & Maintenance Division
• Responsible for safe roads within the reservation boundaries.
• Maintaining and improving 117 miles of BIA roads
• Building roads for access to new housing developments, multi-use trails and parking
lots for reservation businesses and offices. Maintenance Department
• Responsible for keeping roads passable in all seasons.
• Respond to emergency situations.
• Employs 17 Native Americans in various capacities, including heavy equipment
operators, survey and engineering workers and administration.
Sanitation Department
• Encompasses plumbing, well drilling & pump installation,
& electrical trouble shooting on electrical panels & lift stations.
Well line installation & sewer system installation
The Leech Lake Housing Authority (LLHA) was formed by The Leech Lake Business
Committee on September 1, 1963 and has been in existence for 50 years to date.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS
Over the past 50 years, 610 low-rent/tax credit/homeownership & RTC acquisition units
have been throughout the three districts on our Reservation.
•
Administrates 3 specific programs to address current housing needs.
Native American Housing and Self Determination Act NAHASDA
The NAHASDA program is supported by an annual grant from HUD.
•
Currently has 340 units.
TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
The Tax Credit program received development funding from groups of investors funneled
through Raymond James Tax Credit Funds. Once a project is setup operational funds are
generated solely through rent collections.
Tax Credit improvements in the past year:
•
Completion of project 7 = 25 single family units placed in service
•
The occupancy rate for Tax Credit programs is maintained at 98%.
Housing Authority
Public Wor k s
Public Works
Homeless Resource Program
The LLHA Homeless Resources Program is funded by multiple small annual grants from
the State of Minnesota’s Emergency Services Program, Mahube Community Council, and
Lutheran Social Services. The program has also received non-renewable grants from the
Otto Bremer foundation. Each grant has specific funding purposes. The ESP funds are used
for emergency shelter, Mahube Community Council funds are operational and the Lutheran
Social Services funds are specifically for Runaway and Homeless Youth assistance.
Solid Waste
• Provides the use of transfer stations throughout the reservation,
accepts recyclable materials and curbside service.
Well and Septic
• Provides homeowners with septic systems emergency repairs, installation
& repair of waterlines, septic pumping & steaming of frozen sewer lines.
Well Drilling Department
• Provides quality well drilling & well abandonment services to homeowners.
34
35
Vet er a n ’s Affairs
36
VETERAN’S SERVICES
O
ur new building is located at 16640 69th Avenue NW, Cass Lake. Our new office
and house is on 3 acres and will be capable of housing veterans within the next year.
We currently have two Nationally Certified Veteran’s Service Officers to handle
claims for our Leech Lake Veterans and Veterans in the local area. This office currently
handles a clientele roster of approximately 275 throughout the year. Our program provides
many different services to our local veteran population ranging in services from: VA
claims for pension and compensation, homelessness, optometry and
dental requests through the State Soldiers Assistance Program, medical
transportation assistance, fuel assistance, housing assistance, and many
other types of veteran’s assistance when requested.
The Leech Lake Veteran’s Services program has partnered with
the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans program on a number of
assistance programs and to help with Stand-Down events in the Bemidji,
Grand Rapids, and Detroit Lakes area. We partner with the Cass County Veterans Services Office to host a career/job fair
every January. The Leech Lake Veteran’s Services has partnered with the DAV Donor Connect program to provide medical
equipment to veterans who request wheel chairs or other medical equipment. Veteran’s Services also assisted veterans with
housing requests for furniture and moving services. We will pick-up donated furniture for veterans who are in need, bring it
to their residence, and move it in. We also provide assistance to families with newly enlisted military members who recently
graduated from their Basic Training courses.
The Veteran’s Services assists in organizing the Leech Lake American Legion Post 2001 & Honor Guard for providing
Memorial Day Services to 41 cemeteries on the Leech Lake Reservation. The Leech Lake Veterans Services Officers have
been supplying and putting out over 1,500 flags on all the graves of Veterans in these cemeteries since its existence in 2006.
Veteran’s Services provides Leech Lake Flags, American Flags, and POW-MIA Flags to all the community centers at no
cost to the local council. The Veteran’s Services has donated Flag Poles to the Leech Lake Tribal College and our newly
established radio station, KOJB 90.1 FM, “The Eagle”!
It is a great honor to provide these services to ou Veterans.
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Gaming Operations
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Gaming Operations
Two of the several goals of Leech Lake Gaming is to provide revenue to assist in supporting
Tribal Programs and to provide jobs to Leech Lake Band members. As well as providing
revenue and jobs, reinvesting in our operations and maximizing the efficiency of operations
ensures the longevity of both the revenue stream and employment opportunities.
• Investment in the Tribal Community through allocation of funding to Tribal
Operations and Programs.
The allocation available has increased in recent years due to the increased
profitability of gaming operations. In the last two years, Gaming has allocated
approximately$13 Million in compared to $10.5 Million in 2010.
•
Providing Employment of Leech Lake Band Members.
Gaming employs nearly 500 Band Members and
70% of all managers are Band Members.
Gaming pays over $35 Million in Wages and Benefits each year.
•
•
•
Reinvestment in Gaming Operations. The key to continued long-term profitability is the continued investment in the
Gaming casinos. Each year, a substantial portion of operating income is reinvested in capital to ensure the continued
profitability of gaming for years to come.
Upgrade and implementation of the new player’s club and casino accounting system. This investment of
approximately $5 million has put Gaming into a well-positioned place to compete in today’s casino market by
offering improved promotions, electronic free play, and offers tailored to the individual guest’s value and interests.
Renovation of Palace Hotel. Complete rebuild and remodel of 30 hotel rooms at the Palace Hotel.
Remodel of Northern Lights Buffet. Complete remodel of the Northern Lights Casino Buffet to accommodate
additional guests and improve efficiency of operations.
Remodel of the White Oak Casino Food and Beverage area. Remodel of the casino food and beverage area to
improve guest flow and increase seating.
Improved Efficiency. Gaming continues striving for operational efficiency.
Technology improvements such as Ticket-In/Ticket-Out and Electronic Free Play has greatly reduced guest
inconvenience and costs associated with the former manual processes.
Helping surrounding Communities
Gaming contributes approximatley $54.3 million in economic activity to each year to Cass, Beltrami,
Hubbard, and Itasca counties. This included labor income of $36.1 million and sustains over 1,400 jobs a
year as a result of their spending.
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