STANDING FOR SAFETY, RIGHTS, AND SOVEREIGNTY
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and its leadership are grieving alongside communities across Minnesota as violence connected to recent ICE activity continues to escalate. The senseless killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have shaken the state of Minnesota and around the country, and deepened fear, anger, and uncertainty for many Minnesotans — including Mille Lacs Band members.
The Band extends the deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. No one — under any circumstance — deserves to be shot by federal law enforcement on the streets of an American city. These acts of violence are unacceptable and have caused real harm, fear, and division within our communities.
Operation Metro Surge, presented as an immigration enforcement effort, has instead resulted in actions that raise serious concerns about civil, human, and constitutional rights. What we are witnessing does not reflect the principles of constitutional and professional public safety. Lives have been lost, families disrupted, and entire communities left fearful and destabilized.
The safety and protection of Mille Lacs Band members remains a top priority of Band leadership. Leadership has been actively engaged in taking steps to protect the people and their lands. Chief Executive Virgil Wind has formally requested consultation with federal leadership, asserting the Band's sovereign authority and the necessity of government-to-government engagement.
Chief Executive Wind issued Executive Order 2026-01 stating among other top issues, that the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe exercises the fullest extent of its sovereign authority to require that all ICE agents — or those acting under ICE supervision or direction - engage in meaningful consultation with the Mille Lacs Band tribal government before entering or taking any action on tribal lands.
If ICE agents or county peace officers enter Mille Lacs Band tribal lands, they may not enter private property or workplaces without a valid, signed judicial warrant. Under 1 MLBS § 2, Band members and members of other federally recognized tribes retain the right to be secure in their persons, homes, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
In addition to asserting sovereignty, the Band is committed to ensuring members have access to clear, accurate information during this difficult and confusing time. Community meetings are being scheduled, and communications through email and social media will continue. "Know Your Rights" wallet-size cards are available, and Mille Lacs Tribal Police have established an ICE hotline for Band members who may be impacted. That number is 888-609-5006.
Band leadership continues to meet with federal, state, and local officials to advocate for Tribal ID recognition and to develop additional tools and guidance to support our members.
Recent statements indicating that Operation Metro Surge will continue unless Minnesota turns over voter registration data raise serious concerns. Such actions undermine trust in public institutions and deepen uncertainty across the state.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will continue to lead with care, clarity, and resolve. We remain committed to protecting our people, honoring our sovereignty, and upholding the rights guaranteed to all. In times of uncertainty, we will stand together — grounded in our values and guided by our responsibility to one another and to future generations.
