Chairman

October 2026 Chairman's Report

Aaniin Boozhoo Gaa-waabaabiganikaag
Niminwendam Waabaminaan!

Binaakwe-giizis

Aaniish inaa akawe ninga-gaagiizomaag aadi-
zookaanag.

Weweni-sago-na

Greetings White Earth Nation I am Happy to See You!

October, is Falling Leaves Moon!
Everyone Be Safe and Stay Safe,
Hope everyone got all of their September harvesting in and is enjoying our beautiful October fall colors outside today!

Today, we honor the survivors of the boarding school era, the children who were taken from their families, their homes, and their communities and forced into institutions that sought to strip away their language, culture, identity, and connection to who they were.

To every survivor of our White Earth Nation and Anishinaabe Nations everywhere: we see you, we hear you, and we honor you.

Many carried these experiences quietly for years, sometimes without being able to speak about the pain they endured. Yet you carried forward. You survived. You kept your stories, your teachings, your languages, and your cultures alive. Because of your strength, our children and grandchildren can continue to know who they are and where they come from.

We also remember those who never came home
and hold their families and descendants in our hearts.

Healing does not erase what happened. Remembering does not change the past. But by listening to survivors, speaking their truths, and teaching our young people the history of our communities, we can ensure these stories are never forgotten.

Please remember we have the most amazing Behavioral Health Program that offers many modalities of Anishinaabe and Holistic Healing Programming and don’t be indionish, too shy and check them out. Call 218-935-6320 or visit www.whiteearth.com/divisions/behavioral-health

Today, and every day, we stand with the survivors. We honor your strength. We honor your stories. We honor your resilience. And we will continue to remember.

We have an update on White Earth Tribal Health Systems this month.

After years of planning and preparation, the White Earth Nation is preparing to assume responsibility for health care services at the Indian Health Service (IHS) clinics in White Earth, Naytahwaush and Pine Point.

The transition has been in the works since 2016, when initial planning began in response to the communicated health care needs of White Earth community members. While the process experienced delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, planning resumed with renewed focus in recent years.

In 2024, a dedicated planning team and Health Board were established to guide the assumption process and prepare for the transition of services. The original target date for assumption was June 2026. As planning continued, that date was moved to Oct. 1,
allowing additional time to prepare staff, systems and operations for the transition.

Over the past year, the Health Board has worked closely with staff from the area office and the White Earth Service Unit. The Board has been meeting with area office staff on a weekly basis and attending monthly staff meetings at the White Earth Service Unit.

More recently, Health Board members have held one-on-one meetings with clinic staff. Those meetings have provided an opportunity for staff to ask questions, share concerns and participate directly in the transition planning. According to the Health Board, the response from staff has been very positive and collaborative.

As part of the transition, the White Earth and Naytahwaush clinics temporarily closed on Oct. 1-2. The closures allowed the teams to complete the necessary system switch-over and finalize the transition to the new health care system.

The goal was to have White Earth and Naytahwaush clinics operational by Monday, Oct. 5.
The assumption of health services represents more than an administrative change. For White Earth, it is also an important step in the Tribe’s continued movement toward self-governance and greater control over the delivery of health care services to our communities.

“This assumption is an intricate step in White Earth’s self-governance,” the Health Board said, emphasizing the importance of the transition and the work that has gone into preparing for it.

After years of planning, the Oct. 1 assumption date marks an important milestone for White Earth. The temporary clinic closures will provide the final opportunity to complete the system transition, with the goal of welcoming our patients back and resuming operations on Oct. 5.

Aho’ mi’iiw.
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