District III

November 2025 District 3 Report

Aaniin friends and relatives. I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. As October wraps up, we begin our preparations for winter, and deer hunting season. Let’s embrace this time of transition together, cherishing our traditions and supporting one another as we move forward into the colder months.

10-6 Tribal leaders and staff met with MMCDC to review small business lending opportunities. Discussed barriers for tribal members and developed strategies and solutions to increase loan access and participation.

10-7 We were honored to welcome Minnesota Senator Aric Putman and Minnesota Farmers Union President and staff to the White Earth Reservation for a tour of Benson and Turner Meats and conversations about collaboration, funding opportunities, bison program and the cultural importance of wild rice.

10-8 Tribal leaders and staff met with MN DOT staff at the Shooting Star Casino to discuss ongoing and future transportation projects. Emphasis was placed on addressing safety concerns at the Waubun intersection of Highway 59 and State Highway 113 where repeated accidents have underscored the need for immediate and long-term solutions.

Secretary Michael LaRoque, Tiffany Smith, and I met with Mike Swan and Mark Olson to receive an update on the Pine Point Community Project. This initiative focuses on exploring the development of a new building designed to serve as a gathering space for our community. The vision emphasizes creating areas that support youth engagement, as well as a possible bakery-style café operating during the weekdays with worship services, community meals and cultural activities held on weekends. The space aims to be flexible, accommodating storytelling, music, arts and other community events. Partnerships for this project include the University of Minnesota, where graduate students will assist in developing a comprehensive business plan to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. I would like to take this moment to acknowledge and honor the dedicated work of Mike Swan. Mike worked and served the Tribe for many years, demonstrating unwavering commitment and compassion. Miigwech Mike Swan for your lifelong service and support.

10-9 Tribal leaders and staff met with Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Pedersen and staff. Discussions held about emerald ash borer spread, nearly all counties in Minnesota are seeing EAB; several (Becker, OtterTail, Clay) under quarantine for firewood. Also discussed collaborative strategies for sustainable agri-
culture, pesticide use, legislative updates, locals foods purchasing agreement.

Pesticide Container Recycling and Clean Sweep Program. State has agreements with 77 counties to recycle pesticide containers and collect up to 300 pounds of waste pesticides for free. Opportunity for White Earth to partner, leveraging their solid waste facility, would allow local clean sweep collections for tribal and area farmers.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Major concern; significant recent uptick. August/September 2025: After six months without cases in poultry, a resurgence began around Sept. 9–10. Primarily impacting commercial turkeys. Disease jumped to dairy cattle and people (almost 100 human cases), but those receded. Transmission follows bird
migration; wastewater surveillance detects viral presence. Notably impacts wild birds (especially snow geese and some raptors like bald eagles). Deceased cats on dairy farms (via raw milk exposure) often signal outbreaks.

10-10 Tribal Leaders met with Minnesota PUC. Early Spring 2025, White Earth Tribal Utility Commission adopted a net metering regulation and was put out for public comment which was extended for 60 days.

10-23 White Earth Nation hosted the Tribal-State Relations Training at the Shooting Star Casino bringing together representatives from state and local agencies and community organizations. The event included multiple panel discussions covering topics such as intergovernmental collaboration, cultural understanding and strategies for improving communication and coordination between tribal and state entities. Thank you for all that attended the training.

10-27 Joined the opening of the 2025 Nibi-miinawaa-manoomin Symposium at the Shooting Star Casino. This symposium provides us a unique and powerful opportunity to bring leaders from Minnesota Tribal Nations, the University of Minnesota and communities together to join to protect water and wild rice for our future generations.

Updates
The Weatherization Program was previously temporarily managed by Mahube following a prior delegation agreement. The Tribe is now exploring the possibility of resuming direct administration of the program to increase efficiency, improve service delivery and align operations with tribal priorities. This requires hiring staff along with meeting program requirements.

Toys for Tots
White Earth Toys for Tots registration forms are now available across all communities. We encourage families to reach out to their local community council to register their children and ensure they receive support through this year's holiday program. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to bring joy and festive cheer to our children during the holiday season. We look forward to helping make this season special for all our families.

Housing Update
White Earth Housing Authority is in the final stages of completing four new homes in White Earth. Three of these homes will be located within the South Projects and one will be situated in the East Projects. Once finished these new homes will be added to the housing inventory, helping to provide safe and comfortable living options for our commu-
nity members. This development reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing housing needs and supporting the well-being of our families.

Boys and Girls Club Update
The opening of the Callaway Boys and Girls Club was held Monday, Nov. 3! We are a work in progress but we have the building secured and are wanting to make sure we work through the bugs and get the site opened as it has been 3.5 years since we have been in Callaway!

We will be at the Callaway Community/Event Center right on Highway 59, kiddie corner from where the previous club was located. We will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays throughout the school year both after-school and on scheduled holiday breaks that the RBC is open. Please watch for a calendar to be posted soon!

We are also diligently working on Elbow Lake with an expected opening date of Dec. 1, 2025! We will be in the old Head Start building until our new building is ready next fall 2026! Again... please watch for a calendar!

If you have not yet done so please complete your youth club application and submit to BGC staff at a local site or email to james.hvezda@whiteearth-nsn.gov, aimee.drift@whiteearth-nsn.gov or carol.thompson@whiteearth-nsn.gov. We also still have position openings! If you get a chance please look at the White Earth RBC Human Resources job opening page as all our BGC staff positions have recently undergone pay increases! Applications can be found on the same page and submitted to Human Resources!

I would like to take this moment to acknowledge and honor the dedicated work of Elder Mike Swan. Mike worked and served the Tribe for many years, demonstrating unwavering commitment and compassion. In addition to his many contributions to our community, he has also assisted the Pine Point Community Council and served as a spiritual advisor offering guidance and wisdom to our people. His selfless work and dedication have made a lasting impact on our community and we are grateful for his leadership, kindness and the example he sets for us all. Miigwech Mike Swan for your lifelong service and support.

If anyone would like to reach out, visit or discuss any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to listen and offer support in any way we can. Remember supporting one another is essential as we navigate these challenging times together.

Miigwech

Contact information:
Laura Lee Erickson
laura.erickson@whiteearth-nsn.gov
Office: 218-935-6238
Cell: 218-401-1153
Facebook: VOTE LAURA LEE

Assistant for District 3
Tiffany Swiers
Office: 218-935-6235
Cell: 218-997-9124
tiffany.swiers@whiteearth-nsn.gov