Updates from the Chief Executive

August Message from the Chief Executive

To all my relatives, I send a humble and heartfelt greeting. This is a season of abundance and gathering — a time to cherish our community and look forward to the bright path we are clearing for the seven generations yet to come.

We recently achieved a significant victory on the inter-tribal stage that will help protect our sacred resources for those future generations. On July 13, during a meeting of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) Tribal Executive Committee (TEC), our leaders took a stand for the protection of our environment. The TEC approved a critical resolution introduced by our very own Commissioner of Natural Resources, Kelly Applegate, calling for a temporary moratorium on the issuance of all permits for hyperscale data centers. These massive facilities are proliferating rapidly and can consume as much electricity as a medium-sized city while requiring millions of gallons of fresh water daily for cooling. Our resolution demands that no further permits be issued until a comprehensive, independent, and conflict-free assessment of their impacts on our land, water, and treaty rights is completed.

During that same meeting, Commissioner Applegate provided a vital update to the TEC regarding our Water Over Nickel campaign. He discussed the importance of the current state comment period regarding the proposed nickel-sulfide mine in Tamarack, Minnesota, which runs from July 14 through September 14, 2026. This mine poses a threat to our precious watersheds and wild rice harvesting sites that is simply too great to ignore. I want to extend my deepest miigwech to Kelly for his tireless efforts on both of these projects. His dedication to protecting the gifts our Creator has bestowed upon us is a testament to the Anishinaabe values we all hold dear.

Looking ahead over the next couple of years, I intend to keep this momentum going at the TEC level by bringing two long-standing issues back to the floor for discussion: the Tribal List Act and MCT land transfers.

The Tribal List Act issue centers on the way the federal government identifies us. Currently, the Bureau of Indian Affairs lists the MCT as the primary entity with our Band and our sister tribes relegated to parentheses as component reservations. This classification creates confusion, threatens our federal funding levels, and risks federal agents questioning the validity of our Tribal IDs. We are seeking a simple administrative fix to ensure we are listed individually, reflecting the independent sovereignty we have always possessed.

Similarly, the issue of MCT land transfers is about aligning legal title with our actual sovereign authority. Currently, over 3,670 acres of land within our Reservation are held in trust for the MCT rather than the Mille Lacs Band specifically. This creates administrative hurdles for housing and development projects. We are advocating for the transfer of beneficial title for these trust lands directly to the constituent Bands that exercise jurisdiction over them, finally fulfilling the treaty promises that intended these lands for our exclusive use.

My commitment to our sovereignty was further strengthened this past month during my attendance at the Remaking Tribal Constitutions Seminar in Tucson, Arizona. This gathering, hosted by the Native Nations Institute, provided profound lessons on how our laws are the deepest expression of our culture. I learned that a constitution is not just a Western document, but a set of values and principles a nation uses to govern itself. This reinforced my full support for our Mille Lacs Band Delegates who are currently working to draft a constitution that we can truly call our own. If we are to ever stand on our own under our own supreme law, we must ensure our governing system is rooted in our specific Anishinaabe values rather than a system imposed upon us. I encourage all Band members to engage with our delegates and educate yourselves on this historic reform process

As we move forward with these high-level goals, it is also essential that we fill our government with leaders of high honor and integrity. To that end, I have made three important nominations to the Band Assembly.

First, I have nominated Anita Fineday to serve as our Solicitor General. Ms. Fineday brings exceptional legal and leadership experience to this role. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. She served as Chief Judge for the White Earth Tribal Nation for 14 years and has held prestigious national appointments, including service on a committee under President Barack Obama. Having served as Managing Attorney within our Office of the Solicitor General, she has firsthand knowledge of the legal issues facing our government and is well prepared to step into this vital role

Second, I have nominated the Honorable David S. Christensen for reappointment as District Court Judge. Judge Christensen has been a cornerstone of our judicial system, having served on our bench from 2015-2020 and again since 2024. He brings extensive experience, including previous service as Chief Judge for the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. During his current term, he has been instrumental in expanding our electronic filing procedures and continuing the growth of our Healing-to-Wellness Court, which provides a delicate balance of treatment and accountability for our members.

Finally, I have nominated Rhonda Sam for reappointment as District | Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. Since her appointment in 2022, Associate Justice Sam has brought fairness and consistency to our highest court. Beyond her judicial duties, she has served the Mille Lacs Band for over 30 years, notably as our Environmental Services Supervisor. Her deep understanding of our government, our employees, and our members makes her an invaluable asset to the Judicial Branch, and she remains committed to modernizing court operations and expanding access to justice for all Band members.

Looking ahead to August, I am excited to get back out into our communities to hear directly from you. We have scheduled four Chief Executive community meetings to share updates and listen to your ideas and concerns:

• District III: Tuesday, August 4, at the Aazhoomog Corn-munity Center.

• District Ila: Tuesday, August 11, at the Chiminising Community Center.

• Urban Area: Tuesday, August 18, at the All Nations Indian Church.

• District I: Tuesday, August 25, at the Miskwaanakwa-dookwe Community Center.

Doors will open at 5:30 PM, a meal will be provided, and I truly look forward to the thoughtful conversations that keep our government accountable.

Finally, I hope to see each and every one of you at the Mille Lacs Iskigamizigan Powwow taking place August 14 - 16, 2026, which represents our 60th Anniversary. Our Executive Branch team is also working to schedule an Elder Conference at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in September. More to follow on that in the coming weeks!

Miigwech. Onward, MLB.