Laura Lee Erickson
As your District III Representative, Laura is voted in by and specifically serves the communities of White Earth, Pine Point, Elbow Lake, Callaway, and Ogema. Please stay tuned for further updates from your District III Representative!
January 2025 District 3 Report
Aaniin Anishinaabe,
I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. As we wrap up the month of December and enter into the New Year, let us move forward with gratitude for all that we have learned and with hope for the growth yet to come. Below are some events/meetings that took place in the month of December.
12-5 I had the pleasure of attending the Iron Range Community Council’s Christmas Party at Marble City Hall in Marble, Minn. Guests enjoyed a delicious holiday meal together. During the event, tribal members discussed ongoing issues in the 1855 treaty area and shared efforts to arrange a meeting with the Regional Director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address these concerns. Additionally, the Iron Range Community Council is encouraging more tribal members to get involved and participate in the coun- cil’s activities moving forward.
12-10 The White Earth Elder Christmas Party was held at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center in Mahnomen, where community members gathered for a festive celebration. The event featured a delicious meal, program tables, a lively performance by local youth, an ugly sweater contest, bingo and prize drawings. A surprise guest, the Grinch made an appearance, adding to the fun. Students from Mahnomen School participated by serving coffee/drinks to elders and guests and helping where needed. A special Miigwech goes out to the staff from the White Earth RBC, Shooting Star Casino, the students from Mahnomen School and all others who helped make this event truly unforgettable!
12-12 Tribal leaders and staff attended several meetings in Hinckley, Minn. The first meeting brought together White Earth representatives and Minnesota DNR Commissioner Strommen, along with DNR staff to discuss the White Earth Forest. The meeting proved to be productive, with a clear plan developed to move forward on key issues related to the forest. I briefly attended the Association of Minnesota Counties meeting with Tribal leaders, where we discussed ways counties and tribes can support and collaborate with each other. The meeting also focused on identifying barriers and outlining legislative priorities for the coming year.
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe held a Special Tribal Executive. They introduced MCT’s new Executive Director, Luke Warnsholz. Next agenda item: Discussion of enrollment ordinance amendment. Proposed changes to the enrollment ordinance to align with the Constitution. Present TEC members had an opportunity to share thoughts and concerns about the proposed changes. The proposed ordinance changes will be brought to the upcoming January TEC meeting for a vote. If you would like a copy of the proposed ordinance changes, please let me know or reach out to the White Earth Constitutional Reform Delegates.
Tribal leaders and staff attended the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce’s annual fundraising dinner, which featured a tradeshow, net- working opportunities, an award ceremony, a meal, a silent auction, and the Rez Star Indigenous Performing Arts Competition. Congratulations to our White Earth Rez Stars who advanced to the next round!
12-13 Tribal Leaders met with the Grand Council (11 Minnesota Tribes) and then attended the White Earth Employee Christmas party at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center.
12-18 Another busy day with several different meetings. I started the morning by attending the White Earth Housing Authority Board meeting at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center. White Earth Community Councils attended to give updates for each village including culture camp, summer events, powwows, Halloween events and upcoming events. I departed the meeting to attend the directors meeting. A meeting was held with program directors to discuss Strategic Planning and the integration of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) across divisions. Each program provided updates on their cur- rent SOPs, outlined necessary revisions and shared ongoing projects. The group also discussed upcoming legislative changes that could impact SOPs, their implementation and overall operations.
William Trepanier, Secretary-Treasurer of Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, visited for a follow-up meeting and to tour the Waabigwan Mashkiki facility.
I attended a meeting with Waubun Superintendent Jordan Spaeth and School Board Chairman Nick McArthur to discuss topics such as education, truancy and potential collaboration between the Tribe and the school. We shared ideas on how to work together and agreed to identify key stakeholders before regrouping for further discussions.
12-19 I attended a meeting along with White Earth DNR staff and the Intertribal Agriculture Council staff to discuss opportunities for tribal col- laboration on Environmental Protection Initiatives. White Earth Community Council distributed Toys for Tots and Walking Shield to families. Miigwech for all your hard work.
12-21 The Pine Point Community Council Christmas party was well attended. The meal was amazing. The Grinch made an appearance followed by Santa Claus. Miigwech to the Pine Point Community Council and others that made the holiday party a success!
12-23 The Pine Point Elder Christmas Bingo was held at the ENP site, where every attendee went home with a prize! Tribal leaders and staff met with MnDOT Tribal/State Relations staff to coordinate the upcoming Government-to-Government: Tribal-State Relations Training, set to take place at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center at the end of January. White Earth hosted this training in August 2023 and is excited to welcome it back.
Duluth Area
Tribal leaders discussed the plan for staff to travel to Duluth, providing White Earth tribal members with the opportunity to obtain tribal IDs and purchase wild rice. A date for this event is currently being coordinated. Once a date is set, it will be posted on our Facebook page and whiteearth.com to notify the public.
Tribal Broadband
White Earth Nation has been awarded a Tribal Broadband and Connectivity grant, which will fund the purchase of computer workstations. Each workstation will include a study carrel, chair, desktop computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. These workstations will be made available to the public at various locations across the Reservation. District 3 will receive 12 workstations at the White Earth Tribal Headquarters, 12 at Pine Point and 12 at Congregate Housing.
I hope everyone had a joyful holiday season. As we close one chapter and welcome a new year, together we shall continue to support one another and celebrate our shared journey. Miigwech for your continued support and involvement in our community. If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out at anytime.
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