FROM EGGS TO OGAA: For MLBO DNR fisheries staff, a jar of fish eggs represents the future
When most people think of a fish hatchery, they probably picture science: dissolved oxygen levels, stocking rates, population surveys, and hatch success percentages. But spend a few minutes with the Mille Lacs Band Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists and you'll discover something else. They talk about walleye the way other people talk about their children. In fact, some even refer to the eggs, fry, and fingerlings as "their babies."
Looking over nearly a million ogaa (walleye) eggs in the Mille Lacs Band Fisheries Department hatchery, biologist Keith Wiggins sees more than fish. He sees the future - future generations of Band members continuing fishing traditions while helping protect treaty-reserved resources.
LEADING WITH HEART: District II Representative Wendy Merrill reflects on four years of service, community, and compassion
When Wendy Merrill took office as District || Representative in July 2022, she brought with her years of experience in government, business, and leadership. She had worked as Legislative Affairs Director for Speaker Sheldon Boyd, served as Assistant General Manager at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, earned her MBA from the Carlson School of Management, and been recognized among Minnesota's 40 Under 40 professionals.
But the lessons that shaped her most did not come from boardrooms, classrooms, or campaign trails. They came from home.
Growing up in the Chiminising community, Merrill witnessed firsthand many of the challenges facing Band members and families. Those experiences would later shape both her decision to seek office and the way she approached leadership.
"I wanted to better the community and better the Band while making thoughtful, data-driven decisions based off the Seven Values while leading with compassion," she said. "And treat people the way you want to be treated by others."
Tribal Government News
ERIN ANDERSON: BUILDING FOUNDATIONS IN THE MILLE LACS BAND LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Erin Anderson brings a background in Native American law, a commitment to public service, and a passion for supporting the Band's legislative process.
The first months in any new role often set the tone for what follows. For Erin Anderson, the first few months in her position as Staff Attorney for the Mille Lacs Band Legislative Branch have been filled with learning, observing, absorbing, and gaining familiarity with the Band's lawmaking process, as well as getting to know the elected officials and Legislative staff that make it all happen. Under the supervision and dedicated guidance of her supervisor, Legislative Counsel Jared Miller, Erin has already learned a great deal and is eager to continue growing in her professional capacity to serve the Band.
DELEGATE COMMITTEE UPDATE: CONSTITUTION BELONGS TO ALL MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE MEMBERS
As the Constitution Delegate Committee continues their work in the process of creating a Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Constitution, they are grateful for the feedback they are receiving from the community. "Thank you to everyone who has completed a survey and participated in the constitutional engagement process," said Michele Palomaki, Delegate Committee member. "Your feedback has helped shape the next phase of this work and determine meeting times as the Constitutional Convention Delegates Committee moves into the drafting stage."
GRA UPDATE: A TRUSTED CONNECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY — Supporting Band members through guidance, respect, and understanding
Within the Gaming Regulatory Authority (GRA), there are roles that go beyond processes and paperwork, roles that focus on connection, communication, and support. The Community Liaison is one of those roles, helping bridge the work of the GRA with the needs of the Mille Lacs Band community.
Cherie Ambrose brings this role to life.
MINNESOTA DNR ADDS FIVE COUNTIES TO DEER FEEDING AND ATTRACTANT BAN
The Minnesota DNR uses a deer feeding and attractant ban where it provides the greatest benefit to the health of Minnesota's white-tailed deer. Counties added to the feeding and attractant ban are Becker, Clearwater, Grant, McLeod and Meeker.
Highlights
BEYOND 250 YEARS: Reflecting on a legacy of sovereignty, survival, and self-governance
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many Americans are reflecting on the nation's history and founding ideals. For Native Americans across the country, however, that history is more complicated — marked by stolen lands and broken promises.
Still, this anniversary provides an opportunity to tell a different story — one of Indigenous perseverance, resilience, and survival. For the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the story stretches far beyond the birth of the United States. Hundreds of years ago, guided by prophecy, the Ojibwe migrated westward to the place "where the food grows on water," establishing communities throughout the Great Lakes region, including the Mille Lacs Lake area. Since then, the Mille Lacs Band has negotiated treaties, defended its homeland, endured assimilation policies, and protected its sovereignty. Its story is one of survival, perseverance, self-determination, and commitment to future generations.
HELPING ELDERS TODAY & TOMORROW
For more than two decades, the Mille Lacs Band Elder Supplemental Program has provided financial support to eligible Elders, helping with everyday expenses while allowing recipients the flexibility to use the benefit in whatever way best meets their needs. Funded through a special endowment established by Band leaders more than 20 years ago, the program was designed not only to serve Elders today, but to remain available for future generations as well.
THE POWER OF THE STORY: "Mental health affects all of us in a profound, and sometimes insidious manner."
There is a real present concern with mental health in our communities. To help combat that, we provide culturally responsive care, by blending traditional healing with western medicine. It is utilized to treat high rates of trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse — especially among youth.
Approximately 55% of people who pass from suicide are between the ages of 15-34. Not only does it affect the youth, but poor mental health affects all of us in a profound, and sometimes, in an insidious manner. For instance, it can negatively affect our relationships, our image of the world, and our vision of success. There are greater numbers of mental/ emotional health problems associated with increased hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), comorbid health problems (heart issues, obesity, and others), and health-impaired physical activities (Aronson et al, 2014).
MILLE LACS WALLEYE RETURN TO THE SAME SPAWNING ‘HOTSPOTS’ YEAR AFTER YEAR
New research from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign identified six "hotspots" for walleye spawning and found that about 96% of walleye sampled displayed some degree of loyalty to spawning sites through out the lake. Scientists with the Mille Lacs Band and GLIFWC tracked the movements of 70 walleye during their annual spring spawning periods in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIP, TEACHING, PRESERVING, AND CREATING COMMUNITY: MILLE LACS INDIAN MUSEUM 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Mille Lacs Indian Museum celebrated 30 years operating in its current building on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the trading post is coming up on celebrating its 108th anniversary. This unique partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society and the Mille Lacs Band, is a rare display of relationship, partnership, and truth telling, one that continues to impact our families, communities, educators, and learners, and brings in tourists from across the world.
Indian Country News
US national parks told to remove signs on mistreatment of Native Americans, climate, Wash Post reports:
U.S. officials this month ordered national parks to remove dozens of signs and displays related to the mistreatment of Native Americans by settlers, as well as about climate change and environmental protection, the Washington Post reported. The move is part of President Donald Trump's campaign to reshape public spaces and museums in a way that rights advocates say could undo decades of social progress. The National Park Service staff last week removed an exhibit on slavery from a Philadelphia historic site in line with Trump's claims, rejected by civil rights groups, of "anti-American ideology" at historical and cultural institutions. The removal orders include a display at the Grand Canyon about the forced removal of Native Americans, the Post reported, while at Glacier National Park, Trump administration officials flagged a brochure and a sign about climate change. The U.S. Interior
Department, which oversees the National Park Service, said in a statement that it was carrying out Trump's executive order on "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." Source: Reuters.
‘As vulnerable as a plant can be’: New study finds climate change largely to blame for less wild rice:
A new study finds the availability of a wild rice in the Great Lakes region has been declining over the past 30 years, partially due to climate change. The decline, the study says, “has disrupted Ojibwe lifeways, family, and health.” Brandon Byrne, inland fisheries biologist at the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, or GLIFWC, coauthored and helped collect data for the study. Byrne said that the plant is most vulnerable during its early stages. “Not only is it vulnerable to weather or climatic variables, it’s also vulnerable to motorboat use. Its ecology is very delicate.” Rob Croll, coauthor of the study and commission policy analyst and climate change coordinator, said, “You have to look at manoomin and climate change holistically. It’s as vulnerable a plant as a plant can be. One of the things that we’re seeing — will continue to see — is our precipitation coming less frequently, but more intensely: much heavier rain storms, which can cause quick floods. During [early growth] stages, floods will uproot the plant. Later on in its growth, when there are seeds on the plant, big storms and heavy winds can devastate a rice bed just by blowing the stalks down into the water. Source: WPR Wisconsin Today.
White House budget request slashes funding for tribal colleges and universities:
In President Donald Trump’s budget request, he’s proposing slashing funding for tribal colleges and universities, including eliminating support for the country’s only federally funded college for contemporary Native American arts. If the budget is approved by Congress, beginning in October, the more than $13 million in annual appropriations for the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, would be reduced to zero. It would be the first time in nearly 40 years that the congressionally chartered school would not receive federal support, said Robert Martin, the school’s president. Source: APNEWS.
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