HER VOICE CHANGED THE SONG
After organizing protests as a sophomore, two years later Isabella Stensrud-Eubanks graduates with Lasting change Behind Her
Aa freshman at Hinckley-Finlayson High School in 2023, Isabella Stensrud-Eubanks found pride and belonging as a backup singer with the Native American Student Association (NASA) drum group.
That spring, the students were invited by school administration to sing a traveling song during the graduation ceremony.
"We sang it and it was a very beautiful thing," Isabella recalled.
But the following year, the school board banned the NASA drum group from participating in the 2024 commencement ceremony.
The decision stunned Native American students and families throughout the community.
Rather than remain silent, Isabella spoke up.
COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION
Longtime Band employee says returning to the Executive Branch “feels like coming home.”
Since stepping into the role of Commissioner of Administration earlier this year, Gilda Burr says the experience has been both exciting and challenging as she works to help guide multiple areas of Mille Lacs Band government during a time of transition.
Burr was sworn into office in early January and officially began serving as Commissioner of Administration on Jan. 26. Under Band statute, the role carries broad responsibilities, including serving as Chief of Staff, who may temporarily oversee areas where commissioner positions are vacant.
Tribal Government News
PIKE SWORN IN AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION MAY 27, 2026
Anthony "Tony" Pike was sworn in as the Assistant Commissioner of Administration on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Band Assembly Chambers by Honorable Chief Justice Rhonda Sam.
Pike thanked members of the Band Assembly — including Speaker Sheldon Boyd, District I Representative Carolyn Beaulieu, District I| Representative Wendy Merrill, District III Representative Harry Davis, and Chief Executive Virgil Wind — for the opportunity to serve the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in the role.
A STRONG VOICE AT THE HEART OF BAND ASSEMBLY: Honoring Danielle Smith
Within the legislative branch of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, there are roles that quietly shape the strength, clarity, and integrity of governance. Among the most vital is that of the Clerk of the Assembly and Parliamentarian—a role that ensures every voice is heard, every process is respected, and every decision is grounded in order and purpose. At the center of this work stands Danielle Smith.
DELEGATION UPDATE: YOUR VOICE, OUR SOVEREIGNTY
The Delegation held their first two Community Engagement Meetings at District I|I Azhoomog Community Center, May 4, and District I, Baadwewidang Center on May 18, 2026.
These meetings are intended to serve as the introduction and transition into future Constitutional drafting sessions. The schedule below reflects an every-other-week commitment to the Mille Lacs Band communities, ensuring consistent engagement, transparency, and opportunities for community voice and participation throughout the process.
GRA UPDATE: WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, SO CAN OPPORTUNITIES
A closer look at the licensing waiver process and how growth is considered
If you’re interested in a casino job and have concerns about something in your past, its important to know this: a past mistake or criminal history does not automatically disqualify someone from being licensed. The Gaming Regulatory Authority (GRA) recognizes that people grow and change, which is why a waiver process exists. This process allows the GRA Board to look at the whole person—not just a record-when making licensing decisions.
WATER OVER NICKEL: SPEAK UP FOR CLEAN WATER DURING THE UPCOMING TAMARACK PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Water Over Nickel's work to advocate for clean water is approaching an important milestone: the upcoming public comment period for the proposed Tamarack Mine. As the mine permitting process moves forward, this will be a critical opportunity for Band members, Tribal Nations, and Minnesotans to learn more about the project, share their concerns, and help ensure Indigenous voices are represented in decisions that could impact our waters, wild rice, and future generations.
Highlights
MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES: ANNUAL EVENT TO HONOR AND REMEMBER MMIR
According to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives remains one of the most urgent issues affecting Tribal communities across the United States and Canada. In some communities, Native women experience homicide rates far above the national average. Many cases are connected to domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and other forms of violence that have disproportionately impacted Indigenous people for generations. In response, grassroots movements and advocates continue working at the local, national, and international levels to raise awareness, honor those who have been lost, and push for justice, healing, and safer communities for future generations.
UNDERSTANDING THE BAND'S SENIOR LIVING UNITS: HHS works to clarify services, safety, and support for Elders
For more than two decades, many community members have referred to the Mille Lacs Band Senior Living Units as "assisted living units." While the facilities have long provided housing, support, and community for Elders, Health and Human Services officials say the term has also created confusion about the level of medical care and services the facilities are designed to provide.
HHS leaders say the facilities are more accurately classified as independent senior living, meaning residents are able to live safely on their own while still accessing support services, community programming, meals, and outside healthcare resources when needed.
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETIC REGULATIONS: MORE THAN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
Behind the bright lights and televised boxing events, the Mille Lacs Band DAR is building opportunity, leadership, and a lasting legacy for future generations.
Long before televised boxing matches and nationally recognized fight cards helped put Grand Casino Hinckley on the map within the combat sports world, the Mille Lacs Band had a vision.
In 2007, under the direction of current District Ill Representative, Harry Davis, the Mille Lacs Band established one of the first tribal athletic commissions in the United States — and the first in Minnesota.
PUTTING THE FUN IN THE RUN: NAY AH SHING SCHOOLS ANNUAL SPRING FUN RUN
No certificates are given out. No trophies are awarded and no medals hang around the necks of the finishers. Yet, on May 15, over 100 runners and walkers participated in the biannual Fun Run, just for the fun of it — hence, the phrase, "Put the Fun in the Run."
All finishers were greated with high-fives, snacks, and ice cream!
BAND MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BIINDIGEN MADISON ~ OZHAAWASHKONEBIIKWE
Grand Casinos are pleased to welcome Madison Conway, Ozhaawashkonebiikwe to the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Band Member Services team as our new Band Member Recruitment and Retention Specialist.
Madison brings a strong passion for advocacy, community, and supporting Band Members throughout their career journey.
When asked what she enjoys most about working at Grand Casino, Madison shared that the sense of teamwork stands out most to her.
"I have been in and out of Grand Casino over the last few years, and the one thing I always enjoy is the sense of teamwork from everyone. It is so refreshing to see leadership work so closely with one another while staying effective and efficient to ensure the best experience for our guests."
HISTORY: MUSEUM CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY
The Mille Lacs Indian Museum recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of opening its current building with a community dinner and guided tours of the museum's collection area on May 18. The event recognized three decades of preserving and sharing Ojibwe history, culture, and traditions with visitors and the community. Organizers also shared a historical flyer announcing the museum's grand opening in 1995.
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.
Wife of accused Minnesota lawmaker killer says husband's actions were "a betrayal"
The wife of Vance Boelter, the man accused in the deadly Minnesota lawmaker shootings, released a statement on Thursday calling her husband's alleged actions "a betrayal." Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed inside their Brooklyn Park home in the early morning hours of June 14. Their golden retriever, Gilbert, was also shot and later died from his injuries. Also targeted in the shootings were Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were attacked inside their Champlin home about 90 minutes before the Hortmans were killed. Boelter, 57, faces federal and state murder and attempted murder charges. He was captured some 36 hours after the shootings near his home in Green Isle, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis, in what officials say was the largest manhunt in state history. Jenny Boelter's full statement, released on her behalf by her legal team: "On behalf of my children and myself, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the Hortman and Hoffman families. Our condolences are with all who are grieving during this unimaginably difficult time, and we are praying daily for them."
Source: CBS News.
‘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.
Upcoming EVENTS
July 1
Mid-summer Days
June 19
Juneteenth/ Hinckley Powwow
June 22