Updates from the Chief Executive

July Message from the Chief Executive

Aaniin Band Members. Is it just me, or did June come and go in the blink of an eye? One minute we were celebrating graduations, and now here we are—already heading into July.

June was a month of both celebration and sorrow. On June 13, I joined members of my team at the Humphrey-Mondale Dinner in Minneapolis. It was an evening of connection, conversation, and reflection, with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivering the keynote. As expected, many Minnesota DFL leaders were present, including House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

Tragically, within 12 hours of that event, both Melissa and Mark were assassinated — taken from us in a senseless act of political violence. I had the honor of knowing Melissa through her many visits to our Reservation. She was a true ally to Tribal Nations, always showing up with conviction and compassion. Our thoughts also remain with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were injured by gunfire in a separate incident the same evening. Senator Hoffman has also been a friend and supporter of our people.

The grief of their loss is immense, and our prayers are with all of their loved ones. We honor Melissa and Mark’s memory, and we wish Senator Hoffman and Yvette strength as they heal. In a world often marked by division, these individuals stood for service, civility, and justice. May their legacy continue to inspire all of us.

Earlier that same week, I traveled with Commissioner Tracy Burr and Cameron Wind to Bismarck, North Dakota, where we toured the Healing Hearts Lodge. Owned and operated by the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation — also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes — the Lodge is a powerful example of what can be achieved through vision and commitment. It provides safe, stable housing and support for women in recovery, including mothers with children. We spoke with staff and residents and heard firsthand how this facility is changing lives.

After seeing the Lodge, I couldn’t help but imagine the good that something similar could do right here at Mille Lacs. We have the need. We have the people willing to do the work. And we have a possible location — a closed hotel that could be remodeled for this purpose. The concept is still in the early stages, and we plan to present it to the Band Assembly in the weeks ahead. I believe we can create a safe, sober, and supportive environment for Band members seeking healing from addiction. And I believe we can do it our way, with our values at the center.

Later in the month, I had the privilege of witnessing the confirmation hearings of two of our Commissioners during the Band Assembly meeting on June 20. Commissioner Kelly Applegate continues his long and distinguished service with Natural Resources, ensuring our environmental decisions are informed by Ojibwe values and traditional knowledge. Commissioner Raina Killspotted, whose leadership in Education has been nothing short of transformative, is making a real and lasting difference — from revitalizing our Ojibwe Language Program to expanding scholarships for our youth.

Their dedication is evident, and I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished — not just for our government, but for our people. I am looking forward to the swearing-in ceremonies for both.

After the Band Assembly meeting, we headed across the road to celebrate the grand opening of the Lake Leaf Dispensary. This is an exciting and unique venture for the Mille Lacs Band — one that we believe will grow, thrive, and serve as a wise investment in the long-term well-being of our Band members.

The cannabis industry offers powerful opportunities for economic development and diversification, and the Mille Lacs Band is stepping up. From seed to sale, we’re establishing a strong presence — doing it right here on our tribal lands, and leveraging our sovereign status to build and operate cannabis businesses, including both dispensaries and cultivation facilities.

This venture is already creating good-paying jobs for Band members and others in our region, and as it grows, we expect to see even more employment opportunities in both retail and cultivation. Just as importantly, we are committed to doing this the right way — with a strong regulatory framework in place to ensure compliance, safety, and the highest product standards.

The Mille Lacs dispensary is currently operating out of a smaller structure while the permanent facility is under construction. Meanwhile, we’re preparing to open a second location in Hinckley. Soft openings are scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, and Thursday, July 10, with a full public grand opening on Friday, July 11.

June also marked the return of the Hinckley Powwow, the first in our summer powwow season. It was a hot one, but that didn’t stop folks from coming out in full force. Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, danced, sang, and stayed hydrated! We’re already looking forward to our next powwow at East Lake from July 18 through 20, followed by our Traditional Powwow August 15 through 17.

During the last full week of June, we met with 16 state agencies for consultations. This is covered under Minnesota Statute 10.65, which outlines the government-to-government relationships between the 11 tribal governments and the State of Minnesota. It is to ensure meaningful communication and coordination on matters affecting tribal interests.

These agencies include, but are not limited to: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Minnesota Department of Education (MDE): Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA, Environmental Quality Board (EQB, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), plus other agencies.

Also that week, Grand Casino Mille Lacs hosted Tribal-State Relations training that was originally specifically designed for State of Minnesota employees, but the training has proven to be helpful for counties and other agencies. It is in this training that attendees learn about the history of federal Indian policy, the unique relationships between tribal, state, and federal governments, differences among tribes in the state, issues on which the State of Minnesota and Minnesota tribes may differ, and ways in which differences can be resolved. The Tribal-State Relations Training is also covered under Minnesota Statute 10.65.

And now, we are proud to announce a major new marketing partnership with the Minnesota Wild, securing the naming rights to the arena formerly known as the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. It will soon be known as Grand Casino Arena. This is a bold move — one that will elevate the Grand Casino brand and open doors to new opportunities for our Band and our businesses.

My office mailed a letter to all Band members with details about this historic partnership. For those who may have missed it, the full letter is reprinted in this issue of the Inaajimowin, starting on page 1.

This partnership is more than a marketing decision — it’s a strong signal that the Mille Lacs Band builds, leads, and invests with vision. It places our story of resilience, sovereignty, and innovation in front of millions of people, while generating long-term value for our communities and enterprises. We didn’t get here alone, and this milestone reflects the strength of our relationships — and the power of what we can accomplish when we move forward together.

As we head into the height of summer, I hope you’re able to spend time with loved ones, celebrate safely, and take pride in the strength of our Band. Whether you’re gathering for the mid-summer break over the Fourth of July or simply enjoying these long summer evenings, I wish you peace, good health, and continued connection to one another.

Onward, Mille Lacs Band members. Miigwech.