Minnesota Chippewa Tribe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Motto: Nimaamawiinomin We Come Together
Member bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Administrative headquarters	Cass Lake, Minnesota
Type	Tribal governmental authority
Enrolled membership	40,677
Leaders
• President	Michael LaRoque
• Vice President	Faron Jackson, Sr.
• Executive Director	Joel Smith
Establishment
• Establishment	June 18, 1934
• Recognized by the United States Department of the Interior	July 26, 1936

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is like a main government for six groups of Ojibwe people in Minnesota. These groups are called "bands." The tribe was started on June 18, 1934. The power to make decisions is shared between the main tribe and each individual band. Each band manages its own special land, called a reservation.

The six bands that are part of the tribe are:

• Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
• Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Grand Portage Band of Chippewa
• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
• Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
• White Earth Band of Ojibwe

As of July 2003, the six bands had 40,677 members. The White Earth Band is the largest, with over 19,000 members. In 2010, the Leech Lake Band had 10,660 people living on its reservation. This was the most people living on any single reservation in Minnesota.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa is not part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. In 1934, they chose not to join. Their citizens wanted to keep their system of hereditary chiefs. The Red Lake Band created its own rules in the 1950s. They elected their first leader in 1959. The Chippewa nation existed long before Europeans came to the Americas.

Services for the Community

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe helps its six member bands. They offer important services from their offices in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Sometimes, a band might decide to provide these services itself.

How the Tribe Helps

• Administration
  • Executive Direction: This is like the main leadership.
  • Tribal Operations: This includes managing daily tasks.
    • Enrollment: Helping people become official members of the tribe.
  • Accounting & Liquor Licenses: Handling money and special permits.
  • Human Resources: Managing staff and jobs.
• Education
  • Scholarship Information: Helping students find money for college.
  • Johnson O’Malley: Programs that support Native American students.
  • Indian Boarding Schools: Information about these historical schools.
• Finance Corporation
  • Home Loans: Helping people get loans to buy homes.
  • Business Loans: Helping people get loans to start businesses.
  • Homes for Sale: Listing homes that are available to buy.
• Human Services
  • Senior Services: Support for older tribal members.
  • Investment, Employment and Welfare: Helping with jobs and financial support.
  • Food Stamp Nutrition Education: Teaching about healthy eating with food stamps.