CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: YOUR VOICE, OUR SOVEREIGNTY
By Mille Lacs Band Delegate Committee
Over the summer months, the Mille Lacs Delegates continued work on the Mille Lacs Band Constitution, including a review of two important areas: membership and sovereignty.
Community members also provided valuable input during the summer sessions. To date, approximately 50 Band members have participated. While the Delegates appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, that represents only a small portion of the community. More voices are needed as this important work continues.
Over the past several years, Band members have raised questions, ideas and concerns about membership, enrollment, blood quantum, recognition of Band members and descendants, and what it means to be part of the Mille Lacs Band.
Previous community input will remain part of the conversation as the constitutional process moves forward.
Because these are significant and complex topics, the Delegates want Band members to know some of the themes that have emerged from community discussions. These are comments and ideas shared by community members — not decisions or recommendations by the Delegates. They are being presented so Band members can see what has been raised and consider what additional perspectives should be part of the discussion.
Topics raised by community members include:
• How membership and enrollment should be determined, including the role of lineage, family history, descendants and blood quantum.
• How adoption and biological parentage may factor into enrollment.
• How culture, identity and participation in the Band community should be considered.
• How reopening or changing enrollment could be approached, including whether changes should occur in phases and what provisions may be needed.
• How potential membership changes could affect programs, services and the broader Band community. Questions involving programs and services can also be shared with the Executive Branch.
• The future use or definition of blood quantum, including questions involving medical or other considerations.
The conversation is far from finished. The Delegates continue to gather information, listen to Band members and work through the many questions involved in developing a Constitution for the Mille Lacs Band.
A new schedule of community meetings, including opportunities to participate by Zoom, will be released in mid-October. Band members are encouraged to attend, ask questions and share their perspectives.
Comments may also be sent directly to the Mille Lacs Delegates at mlbo.delegates@millelacsband.com. A Delegate will respond. The Delegates are:
District I: Michele Palomaki and Danielle Smith
District Il: Michael Davis and Renee Johnson
District lla: Leroy Day and Paul Sam
District III: Julie Hernandez-Corado and Maria Costello
Urban: Al Olson and Lilah White
Work is also underway to establish a dedicated Mille Lacs Delegates page on the Mille Lacs Band website. The page will provide Band members with access to work completed to date, upcoming meeting dates and other information as the constitutional process continues.
Every Band member's voice matters in this process. The Constitution will help shape the future of the Mille Lacs Band, and broad community participation is essential to ensuring that future reflects the voices of Band members.
