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!
May 2026 District 3 Report
As April comes to a close, this coming month will be filled with celebrations including graduations that mark milestones in the lives of our young people. Graduation is a time to honor the hard work and dedication of our students as they move onto the next chapter of their lives. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families.
4-15 Tribal leaders visited Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Naytahwaush Community Charter School students arrived to engage in environmental education. We continued a meeting Friends of Tamarac members to discuss ideas, collaboration ideas.
4-20 Consultation with EPA regarding decision to rescind the 2024 “Tribal Reserved Rights Rule,” which had aimed to protect tribal treaty rights regarding water quality standards. There was a short comment period. White Earth staff and tribal leaders provided comments along with clarification how EPA is going to comply with and recognize existing federal law regarding treaty rights. This decision makes it harder to protect aquatic resources.
4-27 MCT Tribal Executive Subcommittee meeting’s in Hinckley, Minn.
4-28 MCT Tribal Executive Committee meeting in Hinckley. Minn.
Project Updates We remain dedicated to various projects and initiatives throughout the Reservation and District 3. Our ongoing efforts focus on improving the quality of life for our community members, supporting development and ensuring that our district continues to grow and thrive.
White Earth
White Earth was awarded funding to complete design and environmental review activities for a proposed shared use path. The project will extend from
the White Earth Tribal Headquarters to Highway 34, and then continue along Highway 34 to the intersection near the former Circle of Life School.
The project will be delivered in two phases. The first phase will focus on the segment connecting the Tribal Headquarters to Highway 34 while the second
phase will continue the path along Highway 34 to the identified intersection. Phasing the project allows for a more manageable approach to design, environmental clearance and future construction, while also positioning the Tribe to pursue additional funding as needed.
This shared use path is intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, enhance connectivity between community destinations and provide a safe,
accessible transportation option for residents.
Pine Point
The Tribe completed a Tribal Transportation Safety Plan in 2024 which identified priority safety projects throughout the community. One of the key projects identified in the plan is the Pine Point Shared Use Path. A consultant was engaged to develop preliminary design concepts and cost estimates for the proposed trail which would extend from the newer housing area along the curve and continue through the village. These cost estimates were used to support a Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF) grant application submitted earlier this year.
The application requests funding to support pre-construction activities, including design, environmental review, and right-of-way acquisition. Award announcements are anticipated in July or August. As outlined in the application, all pre-construction activities are expected to be completed by the end of 2027. After this step, Construction funding will need to be secured. The current project schedule assumes construction would begin in 2029. It would be ideal to advance the project to 2028.
The Pine Point Community has an existing softball field that requires updates and repairs to ensure it is safe, functional and suitable for community use. Tribal leaders approved funding to repair the outfield, fix the infield and provide softball bases to restore the Pine Point Community softball field to safe and usable condition.
Elbow Lake
The new Boys and Girls Club building is scheduled to be set on July 27.
A contractor for the Big Elbow Lake Park swim area project was secured last fall. Plans to break ground will be determined by spring thaw and road restrictions. The contractor is scheduled to start as soon as possible this spring.
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