Secretary-Treasurer

October 2025 Secretary-Treasurer Report

Aanin Boohoo,
Greeting White Earth Members, I have the honor of providing you with the monthly report of the Secretary/Treasurer position for the White Earth Tribal Council. This monthly report will consist of Wild Rice, Land Purchase and Travel Updates.

Wild Rice Update
Th 2025 wild rice season has ended and the White Earth RBC has purchased 320,699 pounds from local ricers. The purchase started on Aug. 22 and went for 32 days, concluding on Sept. 22. Ricers seen good pounds from the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, on-reservation, and off reservation lakes. Lower Rice Lake opened on Sept. 10 with over 200 teams taking to the lake. Finishing rates were consistent throughout
the season. This is White Earth’s largest year for rice purchasing, surpassing the previous record high of 281,824 set in 2024.

The season paid out $1,747,299 in cash to local
ricers. The RBC started the season paying $5 a pound and purchased 176,895 pounds at that price. When Lower Rice Lake opened, we raised the price up to $6 a pound purchasing 143,804 pounds for $862,824. This makes it $1,747,299 for a record year.

The White Earth RBC would like to say a Chi-Miigwech to all the staff that worked this wild rice season. These employees all worked 32 straight days. The White Earth Department of Resources Division provided all the support staff every year and they all
do an excellent job providing a great successful season.

I also had the privilege of harvesting wild rice this season, along with my youngest daughter. It was another wonderful year, and one that connects me to my culture, our land, and the teaching of our ancestors. I am grateful for this opportunity to honor a tradition that has sustained our people for generations. Chi-miigwech to everyone who shared this amazing wild rice harvesting season.

Wilde Rice Price Update
I am proud to announce that White Earth RBC will continue to leave the wild rice price at $6.50 a pound for Elders and $8 a pound for all other Tribal members. We can keep these prices due to the USDA contract that we secure every year, and this allows us
to sustain these lower prices for our membership.

2026 Fiscal Year budget updates
I have been working with the White Earth Finance staff on the 2026 Fiscal years budgets. We met with all divisions that were over budget from last years 2025 Fiscal Year budgets. The 2026 Fiscal year budgets were passed at our monthly on Monday, Sept. 29.

Travel and Meeting Updates
On Sept. 5, Chairmen Michael Fairbanks and District I Representative Henry Fox attended the Tribal Governors Summit and Flag Raising Ceremony at the Minnesota Capital. All 11 Nation flags were displayed at the Minnesota State Capital for the first time in history. Minnesota is the second state to have all Tribal Nation flags displayed. This was a historic ceremony.
On Sept. 17, we attended the State-Tribal Partnership with Co-Chair/State ICWA Court judges.
On Sept. 24, we met with the Minnesota State Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold.

We as a Nation have been going thought a lot of family losses in our communities and we have grieving for and with these families. I have attended Healing Ceremonies in each community that have them scheduled. These ceremonies are key to our membership for healing. I would like to let all families that have experienced these tragic events that we are praying for each and everyone of these families.

In closing I want to thank the members of the White Earth Nation for giving me this opportunity to serve as the Secretary/Treasurer for this great nation. I look forward to moving forward with great progress and optimism and I hope we can work together for a brighter future.
Miigwech!

Michael J. LaRoque
Secretary-Treasurer