Chairman

March 2026 Chairman's Report

Aaniin Boozhoo Gaa-waabaabiganikaag
Niminwendam Waabaminaan!

Onaabani-Giizis

Aaniish inaa akawe ninga-gaagiizomaag aadi-
zookaanag.

Weweni-sago-na

Greetings White Earth Nation I am Happy to See You!

It is already March the Crusted Snow Moon.
Everyone Be Safe and Stay Safe,
Time is sure flying by this year; I hope everyone is doing great.

Long ago, beside a frozen ziibing, river, an old man sat alone in his wiigiwaam, lodge. He was called Biboon, Winter. His breath had covered Aki, the earth, in goon, deep snow. For many moons he had ruled the land. The ishkode, fire, before him had burned low, and his bones felt the weight of many winters.

As giizis, the sun, began to climb higher each day, there came a presence at his doorway. A young man stepped inside, light in his walk. His cheeks were bright, his eyes shining. Around his head he wore wiingashk, sweetgrass, braided with care. In his hands he carried waabigwanan, flowers, fragrant and new.

Biboon looked up and gave a slow nod. “Aaniin, ningoozis, my son. You bring warmth with you. Sit beside me. Let us speak as relatives. Tell me where your footsteps have carried you.”

They filled an opwaagan, pipe, and the smoke rose softly, curling upward like a prayer.

Biboon spoke first. “Niin, I am Biboon. With my breath I still nibi, water. I bind the zaaga’iganan, the lakes, in ice. When I lift my white hair, the snow falls and the goon- snow, covers the hills. The bineshi-inyag, birds, travel south. The makwa, bear, sleeps. Even the smallest awesiinyag, the animals, grow quiet. I bring rest so that aki may sleep and gather
strength.”

The young man listened with respect and then answered. “Niin, I am Ziigwan, Spring. When I
breathe upon the earth, the snow softens and becomes nibi again. The ziibing runs free.
Waabigwanan, flowers rise from the soil. The miti-goog, trees, feel sap moving in their veins. I call the bineshiinyag birds home, and they return with song. I bring niibin summer mino-bimaadiziwin, the good summer life, back to the people and to the land.”

As they spoke, the air inside the wiigiwaam grew warmer. The giizis shone brighter through the doorway. Outside, the snow began to sink into the earth. Biboon’s shoulders bent low. His voice grew softer. He understood this moment. The circle does not break; it turns.

Ziigwan stepped out into the light. A gentle rain began to fall. The ziibi cracked and flowed again, laughing over stones. A robin landed nearby, then another bird joined, filling the air with bright song.

Biboon did not resist. He lowered himself to the earth, and his white hair melted into nibi that slipped beneath last year’s leaves. His last breath was cool and quiet. Then he was gone.

Ziigwan stood tall in the golden light. Across aki, green shoots pushed upward. Soon children
would run through the grass, gathering the first waabigwanan, their laughter rising into the warm air.

This is the teaching. Biboon goes, Ziigwan comes. Life returns. The circle of bimaadiziwin, life, continues, and we give thanks. It won’t be long until we are tapping the maple trees and boiling sap again!

We have an update from our Department of Public Safety this month. Protecting our Nation
requires dedication, and our Public Safety Department works tirelessly to keep us safe.

The White Earth Police Department (WEPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the White Earth Reservation, providing full-service policing and 24/7 public safety coverage to the community. The department is staffed by 23 sworn officers who deliver frontline service across all districts of the reservation.

WEPD also operates a fully staffed dispatch center with six professional dispatchers, ensuring continuous emergency communications and rapid coordination of police response. This center functions around the clock and serves as the critical link between community members and officers in the field.

Officers consistently demonstrate professionalism, cultural awareness, and dedication to the people they serve. WEPD has earned a reputation as one of the most capable and respected agencies in the region—an organization that attracts and retains high-quality officers because of its supportive culture, teamwork, and pride in mission.

• WEPD is available 24/7
• Emergencies: Call 911
• Non-emergencies or to request an officer: Call the WEPD dispatch line at 218-983-3281
• Community members may also visit the department during business hours for assistance, information, or support.

Miigwech White Earth Public Safety for all you do for our reservation communities.

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