MILLE LACS FOUNDATION DONATES TO LOCAL HOSPITAL
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Foundation is pleased to present Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation with a donation of $250,000. Pictured (l to r): Wendy Merrill, District II Representative; Sheldon Boyd, Treasurer; Carolyn Beaulieu, District I Representative; Chief Executive Virgil Wind; Andy Knutson, MLHS CEO, Paula Monteiro, Foundation President, Tracy Sam, MLHS Board member, Becky Fossand, MLHS CAO, and Jamie Root-Larsen, Foundation Director.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Foundation has donated $250,000 to the Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation in support of the Mille Lacs Health System’s (MLHS) Next Chapter project, helping to bring the hospital’s expansion and modernization efforts to completion. This contribution will provide funding for key areas within the new facility, including the Ambulance Garage, an Emergency Observation Exam Room, the Kitchen, and the Laboratory.
Mille Lacs Health System is a vital healthcare provider for both Mille Lacs Band members and the surrounding community. The Foundation’s contribution reflects the Band’s long standing commitment to strengthening healthcare services and ensuring access to quality medical care for all who call this region home.
“Healthcare is one of the most important services in any community,” said Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Virgil Wind. “Our people, our neighbors, and our Elders rely on Mille Lacs Health System in times of need. This donation is not just about improving a building — it’s about investing in the well-being of our entire community. We are proud to support this project, strengthening the relationship between the Mille Lacs Band and our non-Native neighbors to ensure that everyone has access to the care they deserve.”
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Foundation was created in 2011 in collaboration with the Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation. The collaboration between the two Foundations was to support the Band’s charitable goals while the Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation managed the administration and distribution of the fund. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Foundation has an Advisory Committee which is comprised of the Band’s five elected officials. The Advisory Committee is dedicated to guiding and enhancing the Band’s efforts in charitable giving to non-profits. A few non-profits the Foundation has donated money to are Minisinaakwaang Leadership Academy, Indian Legal Assistance Program, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Minneapolis American Indian Center, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems, Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations, Native American Community Clinic, and more. For more information about the Foundation and the application process, please visit the Band’s website at https://millelacsband.com/government/mlbo-millelacs-band-of-ojibwe-foundation
The donation from the Foundation underscores the Band’s dedication to building strong partnerships that benefit both Band members and the greater Mille Lacs community. The Band recognizes that healthcare is a shared priority and continues to support efforts that enhance services and improve outcomes for all.
Mille Lacs Health System and the Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation expressed deep gratitude for the contribution, which marks a significant milestone in completing the Next Chapter project. The upgraded facility will help ensure that critical care services remain accessible and responsive to the needs of the region.
