Chairman

January 2026 Chairman's Report

Aaniin Boozhoo Gaa-waabaabiganikaag
Niminwendam Waabaminaan!

Gichi-Manidoo-Giizis!

Aaniish inaa akawe ninga-gaagiizomaag aadi-zookaanag.

Weweni-sago-na

Greetings White Earth Nation I am Happy to See You!

It is already January the Great Spirit Moon!
Everyone Be Safe.

Many moons ago, our Anishinaabe ancestors journeyed here from the eastern edge of Turtle Island, North America following the waters from the Atlantic coast on up through the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, through Mashkiki-Ziibiing, meaning Medicine River but the colonizers deemed it Bad River like many other sacred places we have. Mashkiki Ziibiing is the heart of Turtle Island. I have ancestors from there; Bad place was never bad to us; it was made “bad” only by those who did not understand its power strength to us.

Our relatives remain scattered along that great water road, bound together by blood, memory, and
language. We were taught long ago that no force could ever erase us as long as we continued to speak our words and tell our stories, passing them down from gichi-aya'aag gagwewinan gagwejitoonan miinawaa gagwewidamawinan – teachings that are carried and remembered, abinoonjiinyag, elders to children hand to hand, breath to breath, and generation to generation.
We are still here because our ancestors knew this.

Our old teachings were written on wiigwaas, birchbark scrolls, and actually some of those sacred
records have found their way home again to Gaawaabaabiganikaag Ishkoning, White Earth Nation
a few years ago. That return did not happen by accident. It came at the right time, because we now walk in the era of the Seventh Fire which is being ignited by our children and grandchildren, the Oshki Ogimaag who came here just to do just that.

It is said they are the ones who will heal us all and take us out of Historical Trauma. They are igniting the Eighth and Final Fire as we speak and it is prophesized they are the ones who will take us up and out of Historical Trauma. My grandma said, “Those 8th Fire babies weren’t created like us or our ancestors they come here as healers not affected by their elders’ history.”

Each fire marks a chapter of our Anishinaabe history, before the arrival of the gichi-mookomaanag,
long knife people (White race) - to these modern days, reminding us of what our people endured and how we survived. These teachings slow us down, steady our hearts, and remind us who we truly are as Anishinaabeg.

White Earth State Forest/Tamarac Refuge
We have been working hard for the return of the 160,000-acre White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Band of Anishinaabe. White Earth Nation’s goal is the management and return of the White Earth State Forest to protect the resources in an environmentally positive manner for the benefit of present and future generations and to ensure the forest lands on the White Earth State Forest are managed in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable, and economically viable manner. And manage the forest land in balance with the conservation of natural, aesthetic, and our own
Anishinaabe cultural values.

We have made great strides in clarifying the White Earth Band’s treaty rights and regulatory
authority in the entirety of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, including both the portion located
within the White Earth Nation and the portion within the 1855 Treaty Territory. The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 42,724 acres. A little over half of the Refuge (24,162 acres) is located within the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s Reservation, and the rest of the Refuge is located within the 1855 Treaty Territory
wherein the Band retains hunting, fishing and gathering rights.

Elder Tiny Homes
In an increasing need for Elder housing, White Earth Builders completed and turned over the keys to Elder Tiny Homes in Rice Lake (10), Naytahwaush (6), White Earth (4) and Pine Point (2). These homes were proudly manufactured by Dynamic Homes of Detroit Lakes, a company owned by Ho-Chunk Inc., the award-winning economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

White Earth Buys Land Near Moorhead
The White Earth Band recently purchased 280 acres east of Moorhead at the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 336 at a local land auction. This purchase is part of our broader efforts to support the long-term economic and cultural sustainability of our people. As stewards of our own future, we are continuously exploring opportunities to diversify our economic initiatives, which may include but are not limited to housing, education, environmental preservation, business development, and cultural enrichment.

Bison Program
The White Earth Bison Program continues to move forward with our goals and initiatives. The program recently expanded its herd with the arrival of 45 new bison, which includes yearlings, mature cows and two cow and calf pairs. The program welcomed its first calf to its breeding herd near Naytahwaush. This historic birth marks a new chapter in our ongoing efforts to restore the bison to Anishinaabe lands. We are very excited about continuing to move this program forward and anticipate further requests related to the program. Whether those requests are for meat/con-
sumption or for any ceremonial purposes or items (hides, bones, skulls, etc.) we look forward to doing our best to accommodate these requests and leading in a good way.

Waabigwan Mashkiki Celebrates Historic Grand Opening
On May 24 in Moorhead, Minn., we made history as the first tribal cannabis dispensary to operate off-reservation in the state of Minnesota. This moment is not only a step forward for White Earth but a strong message of sovereignty and vision for all of Anishinaabe Country. A second dispensary was opened on July 2 in St. Cloud, Minn. This is only the beginning. As we move forward ahead of any tribe in Minnesota, we remember that true growth takes patience.

White Earth Public Transit Building
A groundbreaking ceremony was held this spring for a new Transit building in Waubun.
This building will house a bus wash bay, mechanic bays, bus storage, indoor transfer and
passenger waiting area, administrative offices and dispatch center. Transit looks forward to
serving the people of White Earth and surrounding areas with your transportation needs. The
building is expected to be completed in early or late fall of 2026.

Severe Thunderstorm Damage
A powerful wind storm swept through the White Earth Reservation on the evening of June
20, leaving widespread damage in its wake. The severe thunderstorm brought down trees, disrupted power lines, and left many residents without electricity—some for days. White Earth
Emergency Management, in partnership with White Earth Public Safety and White Earth
Conservation, led efforts to assist affected residents. Emergency generators were delivered to
Elders and individuals with medical needs, and water was provided where service had been disrupted.

Highway 59 Homes
It’s with deep pride and hope for our future that I share exciting news about a new initiative
that is not only rooted in economic growth, but in service to our people: Highway 59 Homes.

This new tribally owned business is more than a home dealership—it’s a bold step forward
in our mission to create opportunity, stability, and prosperity for our families. Located in Waubun, this project is a product of the Nation’s business arm, Mississippi Pillager LLC, and it stands as another example of what we can accomplish when we invest in ourselves. Highway 59 Homes will offer high-quality, affordable manufactured homes.

These aren’t just structures—they are fresh start for young families, a dignified downsizing option for our elders and a real path to home ownership for those who’ve long waited for the chance.

Child Care Building/Library
A brand-new Child Care building located near the White Earth RBC building opened for business. This beautiful learning facility will provide more opportunities for our children in their early stages of development. These children are our future. In addition to the new building, the library was relocated on site and is expected open to the community in the summer.

Wild Rice
We had another record breaking year for purchasing wild rice! The 2025 manoomin harvest season has been a remarkable year for our community. White Earth purchased a total of
320,699 pounds of manoomin from ricers, making this the largest year for rice purchasing in
our history. This year, White Earth compensated ricers with a total payout of $1,747,299. WENR
purchased 176,895 pounds of rice at $5 per pound, amounting to $884,475, and 143,804
pounds at $6 per pound, totaling $862,824. These figures not only highlight the economic
significance of the Manoomin harvest but also underscore the importance of making sure this
valuable food source is accessible to our tribal membership.

In addition, several major infrastructure projects were also completed this year at Lower Rice Lake through a collaborative effort involving several programs. At Ponsford and Bush Landings, wood corduroy walkways with gravel overlays were installed, providing improved access to the water’s edge. Boulders were strategically placed at the start of each walkway to prevent damage from ATVs and UTVs. Parking areas were also expanded to improve traffic flow and accommodate more vehicles. The old channel at Big Bear Landing was reopened after years of overgrowth, allowing ricers to travel directly from the parking area to the lake. All four landings are now equipped with poles that will support solar-powered lights and navigation flags.

Ojibwe Language Immersion
As council we are really pushing for our future Ojibwe Gaawaabaabiganikaag Language immersion school. Our Language and Culture Director Rob Tibbetts is making headway. I talked to him recently at the Naytahwaush Sobriety Powwow; he said, “Yes, but it will be very difficult.” So as council I will keep you updated with his progress. Rob is our Spiritual Advisor at many of our programs and events also.

White Earth Health System and 638 Process
We are excited our Health Board will be running our own health clinics on June 1, 2026.
(Self-Governance) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Public Law 93-638, which allows tribes to assume control and management of IHS health programs, offering greater flexibility than Title I contracts, though often used alongside it for broader self-determination in healthcare delivery. It’s a key legal framework for tribal self-governance, enabling us as White Earth Nation (WEN) to operate federal health services directly, moving from federal administration (IHS) to our own control.

As we enter into 2026, I’d like to thank everyone for your support and the most successful year ever - 2025! Looking back last year we dealt with land issues, addressed housing concerns, moved forward with our Waabigwan Mashkiki business, expanded our Bison heard, created Highway 59 Homes, bought land in Moorhead for the future casino - plus so much more! I am excited for us as Gaawaabaabiganikaag Ishkoning- White Earth Nation.

Chi-miigwech bizindawiyeg miinawaa anooj
ninda-gikinoo’amaadiwin
Gigawaabamininim naagaj.
Thank you for listening and continuing to learn together.
Take it easy.
See you all later.
Chairman Michael Fairbanks