Updates from the Chief Executive

December Message from the Chief Executive

Aaniin. It’s been another busy month for my team and myself.

I really enjoyed all of the Halloween events that were or ganized through the Chief Executive’s Office in collaboration with the other Band departments. These events were held on Halloween with more than 50 Band employees devoting extra time from their lives to hand out candy to more than 500 Band member children across all districts. The kid in me still loves Halloween, and I really love knowing that our young people enjoyed themselves and that we were all able to contribute to an evening of good kind-hearted, maybe slightly scary, fun.

From a broader perspective, these types of events are of vital importance to me because they bring our communities together. If Band members are able to appear at the tribal gov ernment center for something fun and exciting, perhaps they will be more comfortable appearing when they need assis tance. It is also important to me that we take every meaningful opportunity we have to create fond memories for our children. This was a successful Band-wide event, and I cannot extend enough gratitude to all the employees and departments who participated.

A couple weeks later, on November 13, Raina Killspotted was sworn in as our new Commissioner of Education. This event was extra special on the grounds that it was the first time a swearing-in was conducted off-site. Instead of being held at the Government Center, Raina took her oath at Abinoo jiiyag before Nay-Ah-Shing students, all of whom were ex tremely well-disciplined. I felt it important that staff and stu dents attend this joyous event, and I could not be more pleased with the result. In beginning the event with a dish setting and drum celebration, I feel that we set Raina off on the proper foot in building a connection with her students and enhancing their education.

I think back to 1976 when we did not have a school here on our homelands, and how the leadership back then decided that we needed a proper and high-functioning school. Now we know that was the right decision. Education of our children is the ultimate expression of tribal sovereignty, and it is something we must strive to improve every year. With Raina now on as Commissioner of Education, I feel that we are headed in the right direction. Her dedication, humility, and personal nature — com bined with her cultural knowledge — made her the best candi date for this role. Congratulations and welcome to Raina!

Raina’s swearing in also marks a significant milestone for the community because, with Raina, we now have a full cabinet. This means that all the Executive Officer positions of Commissioner of Administration, Assistant Commissioner of Administration, Commissioner of Natural Resources, Commis sioner of Education, Commissioner of Corporate Affairs, Com missioner of Health and Human Services, and Commissioner of Community Development are now filled. When the Chief’s cabinet is full, both the Ad ministration Policy Board and Band government as a whole are more effective because the necessary leaders are in place to optimize all govern mental functions. The more we build the team, the greater heights we can reach for the short- and long-term health of our people.

In other employee matters, an employee appreciation event and luncheon was held on Tuesday, November 26, at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. This event recognized all employees — full-time and part-time — for their hard work and commitment to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. There also was a special honoring of the six most se nior employees, whose years of service ranged from 33 to 40 years. Furthermore, the elected leadership chose to include a small monetary gift in employee payroll checks in appreciation for their dedica tion to the community. Thank you to all employees for all they have done and continue to do for Misizaaga’iganing.

During the past two months, I have attended the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Quarterly Meetings held in Walker over October 22 and 23; attend ed a Cabinet meeting on October 25; and attended the Nation al Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Marketplace and Convention in Las Vegas from October 27 through the 30. As described on its website, NCAI is the “oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities.” Accompanied by the Commissioner of Administration, Commissioner of Natural Resources, Solicitor General, and other staff members, I found this event’s breakout sessions to be very thought-provoking about issues that affect all of Indian country. When my staff and I attend events such as these, it is crucial that we learn what lessons we can, and bring them back home to help improve our own communities.

On November 8, I attended the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association’s (MIGA’s) Tribal Leaders Meeting. And, one week later on November 14, there was a consultation session with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, also attended by our DNR staff. The week before Miigwech Days, my team and I attended the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board Meeting on November 20-22 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. The MIGA meeting, in particular, was crucial because this is the organization that defends and advocates for tribal gaming interests in Minnesota. In addition to discussing the ongoing litigation that Running Aces has pursued against our tribe and others, we also discussed the prospects of a sports betting bill being passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025. Both of these is sues are ones I continue to watch closely.

Before closing, I’d like to give a shout out to Commissioner Kelly Applegate, our Department of Natural Resources, and the Water Over Nickel campaign. The “Water Over Nickel” video took home a Regional Emmy Award! This powerful short film showcases the Band’s fight to protect Minnesota’s water, com munity, and manoomin (wild rice) from the impacts of nickel mining. The film has also been making the rounds in several smaller independent film festivals, such as the Duluth Superior Film Festival. For those who haven’t already viewed the award-winning film, it can be accessed online at: https://tinyurl.com/waterovernickelmlbo.

So, there you have it. It’s been a busy month, but it’s also been rewarding.

As we close out 2024, Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your Chief. It truly is an honor to be entrusted with this important task. We are looking forward to the upcoming year and are excited about all we may accomplish. We are gearing up and preparing for the annual State of the Band Address that will take place on January 14, 2025, in the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events Center. We hope and ask for a large attendance.

In closing, I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May your holidays be filled with the love and laughter of your families. Happy New Year! Here’s to the year that was and Onward to 2025.

Miigwech.