Updates from the Chief Executive

AUGUST Message from the Chief Executive

Aaniin Band Members,

I am humbled to share that July 9, 2025, marked my first anniversary as your Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The past year has flown by, so let’s take a moment to reflect on some highlights.

This administration is focused on looking beyond the immediate horizon — planning not only for today, but for the longterm well-being of our Band. At the core of that mission is a simple truth: everything we do must serve our people in the best possible way. What follows is just a glimpse of the work already underway.

One area I know needs improvement is communication. We’re working on bringing back the Chief Executive video updates and launching a weekly briefing to keep you better informed. More on that soon — but rest assured, our federal, state, and local relationships remain strong and well-represented.

There is no way to fully capture the commitment and effort of our commissioners, but I want to highlight a few of the many accomplishments they've helped lead.

Commissioner of Natural Resources Kelly Applegate was recently sworn in for a consecutive term. He has been a steadfast leader in the Water Over Nickel campaign, which continues to raise awareness of the threat mining poses to our way of life — especially to manoomin (wild rice), fish, and the ecosystems that sustain us.

The short film produced by Water Over Nickel, in which Commissioner Applegate was a credited producer, earned a Midwest Regional Emmy Award — a well-deserved recognition of this vital work. Though Talon Metals has not withdrawn its mining plans, our sustained advocacy and pushback has led them to adjust its operations in response to our environmental concerns. This is far from settled and we remain vigilant.

In another important development, Commissioner Applegate worked with the Government Affairs team to return 18 acres of land in the Cove area back to the Band — a goal more than two decades in the making.

In honor of the Year of the Child, the DNR has expanded opportunities for youth to connect with the land through sugar bushing, netting, ice fishing, ricing, and the tullibee harvest. These experiences strengthen cultural identity, teach treaty rights, and root our young people in tradition.

In Education, Commissioner Raina Killspotted and her team have done outstanding work. She was recently sworn in for another term, and under her leadership, the department secured a $50,000 grant for high school improvements and $19 million for renovations at Nay Ah Shing Schools — a major investment in our students' future.

She revived the beloved Quiz Bowl, brought new energy to the Ojibwe Language Program, and in April, helped celebrate the grand opening of the Mooka’amookwe Early Childhood Center in District III, Hinckley.

The Scholarship Policy has also been updated under her direction. Among the exciting changes: a new Mille Lacs Band scholarship is now available for students pursuing an accredited cannabis program in the medical, agricultural, or business fields. Another major addition is a Bachelor’s Degree program in Ojibwe Language Teaching, which includes a $5,000 award upon graduation — plus an additional $5,000 for those who commit to teaching Ojibwe for five years at a Band school.

Commissioner Killspotted is also working with Commissioner Tracy Burr of Community Development to develop credentialing programs for in-demand trades such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical careers opening new doors for Band members.

Commissioner Burr has led the creation of a long-overdue Strategic Housing Plan to address the Band’s housing needs. With Band Assembly appropriating more than $17 million for the effort, 53 homes are now scheduled for renovation — with nearly half already complete and ready for occupancy.

Before the end of her term, former Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicole Anderson made a lasting impact on the Mille Lacs Band through several key initiatives that reflect her deep commitment to Band members’ health and well-being. She launched the Childhood Advocacy Center in Wahkon and led efforts to update the language in Band statutes regarding THC testing for foster care licensure, aligning policy with the Band’s evolving cannabis laws.

“This administration is focused on looking beyond the immediate horizon - planning not only for today, but for long-term well-being of our band”- Chief Executive Virgil Wind

Commissioner Anderson began a full rebranding of Family Services, placing a renewed focus on family preservation and strengthening Band families. Her leadership was guided by a clear priority: keeping families together and supporting their healing journeys.

During one of the most turbulent times in modern history — the COVID-19 pandemic — she not only guided her department and the Band through uncertainty but also successfully relocated the entire HHS operation to a new, award-winning campus. Simultaneously, she spearheaded critical upgrades to the Band’s IT and health records systems to improve efficiency and accessibility.

Under her leadership, HHS programs and services were expanded and improved to meet the evolving needs of the community. She championed mental health as a priority, identifying gaps in care and developing innovative solutions to support Band members across all districts. She initiated staff restructuring to better align services with community needs and pushed for Band-licensed social workers and user-friendly tech upgrades.

Miigwech to Commissioner Anderson for her years of service and deep dedication to the Mille Lacs Band. Her legacy will be felt for years to come in the lives of the families and individuals she helped support and protect.

Former Commissioner of Administration Darcie Big Bear also played a key leadership role. She introduced a hiring and dismissal policy, initiated modernization efforts for IT systems, and proposed a strategic restructuring of the Administration and HR departments.

Shortly after stepping into the Commissioner of Administration role, she took on the additional responsibility of covering the vacant Commissioner of Corporate Affairs position — two of the most demanding roles within Band government. Despite the challenge, she embraced both roles with skill and determination. She played an active role on the MLCV Budget Efficiency Committee and was directly involved in overseeing the Band’s cannabis initiatives — including the cultivation facility and the dispensary opening — as well as the Sugar Maple Crossing and Ventura Project housing initiatives.

The work of former Commissioner of Corporate Affairs Joe Nayquonabe Jr. also deserves recognition. His forward-thinking vision helped transform Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures into what Minneapolis–St. Paul Magazine has called “one of the most diversified business entities in the state.” That vision is now a reality, most recently demonstrated in the Band’s full sovereign control of our seed-to-sale cannabis enterprise.

And a special thank you to former Assistant Commissioner of Administration Maria Costello, the true “Swiss Army Knife” of Mille Lacs Band Government. Her ability to step in wherever needed — including Education, DNR, Community Development, and Administration — was a gift to this government. She carried out her work with dedication, flexibility, and the interests of Band members always at heart. Miigwech, Maria.

As of this writing, the Commissioner of Corporate Affairs position remains vacant. Still, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV) continues to move forward with momentum. MLCV saved $9 million in its Fiscal Year 2025 budget and entered into a new marketing partnership with the Minnesota Wild — a strategic move that positions the Band for future growth, especially with the potential for legalized sports betting and broader outreach opportunities.

Another exciting milestone: the opening of the Lake Leaf Dispensary’s temporary locations — one near the Grand Market on June 20 and another in Hinckley on July 11. My team and I are actively engaged in negotiations with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. Our goals include opening dispensaries off-Reservation and supplying product to state-licensed dispensaries, now that we’re cultivating our own flower and producing our own cannabis products. We also look forward to the launch of permanent, brick-and-mortar Lake Leaf locations coming soon.

In addition to Corporate Affairs, the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, Administration, and Assistant Administration positions remain vacant. While Band Assembly’s decision not to ratify some recent nominees was disappointing, I remain committed to identifying qualified Band members to lead these departments with integrity.

July has been a busy month. We met with the Office of Cannabis Management and toured the Lake Leaf facility. We celebrated the Hinckley dispensary grand opening. I joined the District I Community Summer Fun Day. Kickball may seem like child’s play, but for the teams vying for top honors and trophies, it was serious fun!

I also virtually attended the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe meeting in Grand Portage. Later that week, the GLIFWC Healing Circle Run was held, with Mille Lacs runners traveling from McGregor to the Fond du Lac Nation, where they joined others in prayer and unity.

I attended the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST) meeting as its current president. MAST represents 35 sovereign Native nations — and nearly 134,000 Native people — across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana.

We’ll wrap up the month with the East Lake Powwow — a time to visit, dance, and celebrate who we are as Anishinaabeg.

So, there you have it — a summary of our accomplishments, ongoing work, and the steps we’re taking in service to our people. Through it all, we are continuing to strengthen our government-to-government relationships — not only with federal and state agencies, but also with counties, municipalities, and fellow Tribal Nations. These partnerships are critical to advancing our sovereignty, protecting our rights, and ensuring that Band members have a seat at every table where decisions are being made. It is my deep honor and privilege to lead the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Let’s keep moving forward — together.

Until next month, Onward, Mille Lacs Band members.

Miigwech.