Chairman

November 2025 Chairman's Report

Aaniin Boozhoo Gaa-waabaabiganikaag
Niminwendam Waabaminaan!
Gashkadino-Giizis!
Aaniish inaa akawe ninga-gaagiizomaag aadi-
zookaanag.
Weweni-sago-na
Greetings White Earth Nation I am Happy to See
You!
It is already November!
Everyone Be Safe and Stay Safe,
Dagwaagin or fall was a busy time for us as Anishinaabe and still is. In early fall, many of our families would travel to various camps for hunting and gathering by canoe or otherwise to rice lakes and marshes and worked together to harvest wild rice.
There were late chokecherries and early cranberries to pick, dry and store away. Anishinaabe-ininiwag-men spent a great deal of time hunting. It was the season to shoot ducks and geese and harvesting as much food as possible needed to be gathered and stored away for the long winter.

The men began to prepare for the trapping animals for the fur and food. The Anishinaabekwewag-women from certain villages set out nets to bring in a winter supply of fish. My uncle Ronnie Beaulieu would tell some adventurous sometimes scary stories
he would share with my cousin Kevin and me as we boated out to retrieve our nets. It didn’t matter how choppy it was we were headed out on the freezing lake; thinking back I sure miss those times with my friends and family. We have a beautiful little story about ajidamoo, red squirrel and mitigomizh, the oak tree.

Long ago, when the woods were young, a bright little squirrel named Miskwaabik lived high in a tall mitigomin, oak tree. His name meant copper because his fur shone red and gold in the sun.

Every Dagwaagin, fall, Miskwaabik worked hard gathering mitigomin, acorns from his oak tree home. He tucked them in his big fat cheeks and buried them across the forest so he would have food for biboon- the winter.

One breezy afternoon, the Mitigomin, Oak tree whispered through its leaves - “Miskwaabik, take what you need, but remember, these mitigominan are my children. If you bury some, they will grow into new trees. Then your people and mine will never go
hungry.”

Miskwaabik stopped and listened carefully.
“Miigwech thank you,” he said. “I’ll take enough to live and return the rest to Mama Aki, Mother Earth.” So he gathered with care, hiding some acorns for himself and planting others beneath the soft soil. When Biboon, Winter came, goon, snow covered the land, and Miskwaabik stayed warm in his nest, grateful for the Mitigomin’s gift.

When Ziigwan, Spring returned, the snow melted, and tiny green shoots appeared where he had buried the acorns. Little mitigoog (trees) were growing! The oak smiled in the wind and said:
“Because you showed respect, I am many now. My children will feed your children, and this forest will live gaagiige forever.”

Miskwaabik looked over the young grove, his copper fur glowing in the sunset. Niimiigwechwendam I am thankful. What began as one season’s work had become a promise for generations.

And from that day on, the squirrels of the forest remembered this teaching: When you take from Mother Earth, you give something back. When you plan for yourself, think of those who will come after you our children and theirs.

We all know the United States Government is struggling with various issues and SNAP benefits have been cut until further notice. As your Tribal Council we are taking measures to feed our families because of the “shutdown.”

As Chairman of White Earth Nation, I want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to support our families during this uncertain time. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our families, elders, and community. Food security is a fundamental right. We will work together to ensure everyone receives the support they need.

We are implementing measures to support our community during the federal government shutdown. White Earth Nation will organize food distribution events and provide emergency contact lines. These will offer immediate assistance. Urban members
should contact our White Earth Urban office for details. Please seek help early. You can choose the best options for your family and stay informed. Your involvement is essential as we work together to support everyone.

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