TERO LAW REVISION ADDRESSES MLCV HIRING GOALS

Revised code emphasizes Band member priority for new hires

By Mike LeGarde, Sr. Communications Specialist

A recent revision in the Band's Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Code establishes Mille Lacs Corporate Venture (MLCV) hiring goals: 30% of new hires should be Band members and 10% of the new hires should be members of other federally recognized tribes. This amendment is one of several to the Band's TERO Code.

On February 11, 2026, Chief Executive Virgil Wind signed Act 06-26 into law, amending the Bands TERO Code. The Band Assembly approved the new law the previous week, after reaching a compromise with the Chief Executive. Among other revisions, the new law:

• Increases the TERO fee from 0.5% to 1.5%, effective October 1, 2026 (this is the fee applied to covered employers doing contracted business with the Band or Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures within the Bands jurisdiction)

• Streamlines the TERO Commission nomination and approval process

• Increases the minimum salary for all government employees to $20/hour

• Requires holiday pay of at least double the regular rate for all hourly employees required to work by a covered employer on a paid holiday

• Replaces use of the term "Indian" with more appropriate terms such as "Native American," "Anishinaabe," and "Indigenous." and,

• Requires an annual report from MLCV stating what work was done to achieve hiring goals

Overall, at least 30% of all current MLCV job positions should be occupied by Native Americans.

MLCV's compliance plan also must document good-faith compliance efforts it will make to provide opportunities for hiring, career development, and promotion of Anishinaabe or Indigenous people. This includes:

• Active advertisement of positions through Band media outlets, participation in tribal job fairs, and regular reporting of position openings to the TERO

• Creation of career development plans for Anishinaabe or Indigenous employees, use of training or mentorship programs to encourage employee engagement and advancement, and providing clear pathways to promotion