Tribal Government

The Mille Lacs Band recently formed a committee to draft a constitution that will reflect the Band’s unique culture and beliefs. Although the Band is one of six Ojibwe bands in Minnesota, the Mille Lacs Band hopes to lead the effort to amend the current Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) Constitution or adopt its own, individual Band constitution.

Under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the federal government sought to create tribal governments that reflected a mixture of government and corporate standards. The MCT Constitution, like many other IRA tribal constitutions throughout the country, is a constitution that is difficult to interpret and reflects little understanding of the people who are governed under it.

The Mille Lacs Band Constitution Committee consists of 12 Band members and two tribal constitution experts. Christinia Thomas is the chairperson of the committee, Craig Hansen is the vice chairperson, Myrtle Liebgott is the alternate vice chair, and Patricia O’Brien is the secretary.

If you have any concerns or suggestions for the constitution committee, please contact Christinia Thomas at 320/532-8851 or 320/384-4811.

February 12 from 4-8 p.m. at Grand Casino Hinckley

February 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Casino Hinckley

February 26 from 4-8 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs

February 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs

March 12 from 4-8 p.m. at Grand Casino Hinckley

March 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Casino Hinckley

Only adult Band members may attend; no children, please

No private recorders/cameras are allowed at the meetings.

There will be a 30-minute question and answer segment at the end of the meetings.