White Earth Reservation Business Committee

White Earth Reservation Business Committee

Quarterly Meeting

July 26, 2024

Mahnomen, MN

Chairman Michael A. Fairbanks called the meeting to order at 9:26 a.m., roll call was taken with

a quorum present.

Present: Michael A. Fairbanks, Chairman

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer

Henry Fox, District I Representative

Eugene Sommers, District I] Representative

Laura Lee Erickson, District II] Representative

Absent:

Others Present: Laurie York, Executive Director

Tracy Lhotka, Chief Finance Officer

Andrea Kingbird, General Counsel

Veronica Newcomer, Deputy General Counsel

Andrea Szabo, Land & Environmental Attorney

Ayecia Kemp, Executive Administration Assistant

Maria Bevins, Recorder

Agenda Approval

Additions:

e Court/Judicial MOU Title IV-E ~ New Business

e Executive Session

o Waabigwan Mashkiki

o City of Mahnomen ~ Civil Regulatory and Tribal Members

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve with additions; second by Henry Fox. Motion

carried: 4 for, 0 against.

RBC Meeting Minutes (06/12/24, 06/28/24 & 07/01/24)

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve; second by Michael LaRoque. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Michael Fairbanks, Chairman provided a brief quarterly report.

Main task as being reelected again and as council members is how we are going to help our Nation.

Upcoming School Year: Integrate Immersion into our classrooms

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Tamarac National Refuge: Meetings this week were held with the US Fish and Wildlife regarding

managing Tamarac. White Earth is putting in another MOU for the co-stewardship before we get

into the negotiations of a 60-day contract with the US Fish and Wildlife. Annual Funding

Agreement (AFA) that comes with Tamarac. White Earth has to follow the processes.

White Earth State Forest: Continued discussions with Minnesota DNR. Having another meeting

to talk about the MOA and the next cycle of legislation.

Continuing to work with the counties and our council members have been working diligently with

Becker County, Mahnomen County and Clearwater County. White Earth is being proactive when

we talk about our resources within our boundaries. We want to protect our medicine and water.

The RBC will be meeting with the Ag Council on how we are protecting our water and upholding

out inherit rights of sovereignty of our water. White Earth is making headway across the country

with some of our ordinances and laws that we create here within White Earth. Protecting our water

and our Manoomin.

I.H.S Clinic Openings: White Earth and Naytahwaush Clinics. White Earth is striving to becoming

that Sovereign Nation that self-governs. Only three Nations have direct services; Red Lake, Leech

Lake and White Earth and that we will run our own clinics as part of self-determination and

working towards.

Employees working for RBC: White Earth Nation believes in our businesses especially Shooting

Star Casino and Waabigwan Mashkiki. RBC did another pay raise for Shooting Star Casino up to

$19.00 an hour for minimum wage. Continuing to support our employees and how to move forward

for the future of White Earth to depend on ourselves as a Nation.

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer provided a brief quarterly report.

Secretary/Treasurer LaRoque provided his quarterly written report to the RBC for review. The

report will be posted to the White Earth website and Anishinaabe paper. Any member who would

like a copy, please reach out to the Secretary/Treasurer LaRoque.

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve the Secretary/Treasurer Quarterly Report; second

by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Impact Aide Funding: received the amount of $6.9 million from the State of Minnesota and will

use on October 1, 2024.

Tribal Council will be meeting with the commissioner of Finance, Paul Markward and

renegotiating our tax agreements.

Secretary/Treasurer Michael LaRoque will be meeting with Tracy Lhotka - CFO, Divisions and

Behavioral Health to review budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. White Earth has been within

budget the last couple of years and have not approved any budget amendments other than our

capital projects and land purchases.

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Urban Members: RBC has been meeting with them and including them on the State of the Band,

Elder’s Picnic and for the Inauguration. To help our members engage in the community.

MCT meeting was held in Boise Forte. They voted Secretary/Treasurer LaRoque as the President

of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Many agenda items need to be addressed at the TEC level, Land

Transfer and the List Act. The MCT land transfer is still on resolution with MCT. White Earth has

a lot of questions on these two issues and need to be addressed. The Chairman stated to please

reach out to our delegates for more information.

RBC met with the Indian Health Service staff regarding 638 negotiations. RBC will be placing

information out. Attended the White Earth Enterprise and Waabigwan Mashkiki Board monthly

meetings. Enterprise purchased a neon sign and will be placing their advertisement on this board.

White Earth’s Annual Powwow celebration went very well. RBC approved minimal wage increase

at the Shooting Star Casino.

Animal Control Department: A meeting will be held with Missy and Tara regarding where the

funding will come from. There will be funding coming through for spade and neutering clinics

from the Humane Society.

Tiwahe Initiative: White Earth which was selected as an Incubator Tribe will receive the Tiwahe

Initiative budget of $100,000 per year. Secretary/Treasurer LaRoque provided a brief overview of

the Tiwahe Initiative.

Sturgeon Moon Powwow this weekend.

Henry Fox, District | Representative provided a brief quarterly report.

e Playground: In the process now

e Basketball Courts are in the back of the Community Center building.

Homeless Elder Homes: they are currently putting on the porches to the homes. There are two

bedrooms homes that will have the handicap ramps. The appliances are on back order with hopes

to have members in their homes in September or October. They have 10 homes and will need a

selection committee due to the number of applicants. D2 and D3 will have about 6 homes for their

districts.

¢ Currently renovations of the softball field.

e¢ RBC did another pay raise for Shooting Star Casino up to $19.00 an hour for minimum

wage

¢ Work completed on the Powwow Grounds

Eugene Sommers, District Il Representative provided a brief quarterly report.

May 2024

e Indian Center for their Grand Opening and Powwow

e RBC meeting with Amy Klobuchar

o WETCC Expansion

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o Request for overpass funding

Attorney General Expungement Clinics at the Shooting Star Casino

Attended Graduations for High School and WETCC

Working with DNR, Boys & Girls Club and had 1“ Sturgeon harvest for White Earth

Meeting with Becker County

o Invited to their Natural Resources Management meetings

o THPO Program and the importance

Non enrolled member living on tribal trust land lakeshore on South Twin Lake. The Land

Department is continuing to work on this

Section 5 remodel of the Shooting Star Casino

Roads projects D2

o College road in Mahnomen

o Road projects in Naytahwaush

= Secured funding for streetlights and sidewalk plan

June 2024

White Earth Annual Powwow Celebration

Tamarac MOA Signing at the Shooting Star Casino

Ricing: working on co-stewardship

Minnesota Department of Revenue; looking at renegotiating our tax agreements/splits

Consultation with Minnesota DNR regarding Land Back

NCAI Midyear convention

o Resolutions were passed

Community Picnics in new parks

Softball tournaments

Cell Tower for Naytahwaush

o Currently working on this

Maintaining of softball fields and volleyballs nets at the parks

Elders Picnic was held at the Rediscovery Center

Groundbreaking Ceremony for WETCC for expansion of their Wellness Center

July 2024

Subcommittee Meetings at TEC, Representative Sommers sits on the Education and

Human Services Subcommittees

Drug Task Force are meeting again with addressing issues.

RBC and Shooting Star Casino Employee Picnics were held

EPA Region 5 meeting

WETCC had some events that were held

Ceremony with DNR and Cultural Staff for the Tamarac Refuge lakes

Working with DNR and the cultural staff on the bear issue in Naytahwaush and finding a

way to deal with this concerns in a good way and keeping them out of the village.

New Property Manager at Sober Living Housing — Optima Property Management.

Counties: Becker, Mahnomen, Clearwater and Hubbard on parcels being sold and cut.

o Concerns on culturally specific areas regarding our medicines and natural foods.

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e D2 elders’ homes, they will be receiving 6 units. Dynamic Homes will be building these

tiny homes.

e Waabigwan Mashkiki new facility open

e Interim Programs, opportunities for our youth.

Laura Lee Erickson, District Ill Representative provided a brief quarterly report.

Representative Erickson will be meeting with the Finance Department and White Earth Builders

to get full updates and timelines of each of the current projects.

Events/Meetings

e White Earth Community Picnic was held at the new playground area. Miigwech to CSO’s

and programs for making these picnics across our reservation a huge success. An

acknowledgment to Sue Heisler for assisting with the funding for the playgrounds

throughout the reservation.

e Boys & Girls Club held the Indigenous Games throughout the reservation

o Hand games and Lacrosse

e Meetings with County Staff regarding tax forfeited Timber Sale

o Becker County, White Earth DNR, and Forestry Department will be meeting

frequently to work on these issues.

o Collaboration more and proper notices for our THPO

o Working together to protect our environment

TEC: Attended the Finance Subcommittee meeting. These meetings are closed to the public.

Representative Erickson was nominated to be Vice-Chair, and she accepted this position. TEC

meeting new members were sworn in, and the Constitution was discussed and the removal of

Secretarial Elections. The MCT delegation provided updates at this meeting. The White Earth

delegates proposed that more protection options be explored before proceeding with removal of

the Secretarial Elections. Need tribal member input on these concerns. White Earth delegates are

seeking nominations for the District II] Constitutional reform seat and open until August 5". The

election will be held Saturday August 10" at Pine Point from 12-3 p.m.

White Earth

e Drug Task Force

o Meeting with Community Councils

e Working on the Elbow Lake and Callaway Boys & Girls Club due to no services.

Attended the White Earth Housing Board Meeting

o Moving forward on issues and concerns

o Open to the community

e Meeting with US Fish and Wildlife

o Continue to work with them and collaborate

o Would like to see our youth work in this area.

o US Fish and Wildlife continue to meet quarterly

e Attended the RBC Employee Picnic

o Recognize employees for their hard work. Chi- Miigwech to our employees for

their hard work and serving our communities.

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e Attended the White Earth DNR Meeting

o Issues regarding Leeching and concerns were brought forward.

e Inauguration; August 6" at the Shooting Star Casino

e¢ Concerns with ENP Sites not being open. RBC is working on these concerns.

Projects

e White Earth Childcare will be open in October

e 4 tiny homes will be located by the COLA School, west side of the road.

o Being approved for groundwork and utilities. Target date is August 26".

o WEHA will have 4 ARPA Homes for White Earth. Working on sites for these

homes.

e 1.H.S renovations are moving forward. RBC met with the I.H.S regional staff regarding

638 process. RBC would like to be included on the I.H.S meetings due to many tribal

members that work with them and being updated is important.

e Sturgeon Moon Powwow tonight

o Fire works at dusk

o D3 hosting a Jingle Dress Special

Pine Point

e 2 tiny homes, the foundation work started and will be located in the old projects.

o Please reach out to Tiffany Swiers, D3 assistant as she will be collecting names.

Representative Erickson will meet with Representative Fox regarding the process

and choosing elders for these homes.

e Water and Sewer are working on the Water Treatment Improvement Project.

o Tank Cleaning

o Issues, please reach out to Water and Sewer.

e Playground installation will begin on August 1“ and will be in the front of the old

Community Center in Pine Point.

¢ Community Picnic will be held at the Powwow Grounds on August 8".

¢ Powwow will be held August 10" and 11".

Elbow Lake

¢ Boys & Girls Clubs remodel

¢ Playground installation will begin on August 8"

Callaway

e Playground installation will be starting this week.

e Working on Boys & Girls Club

Ogema Events

¢ Community picnic is scheduled for August 29".

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White Earth Council of Elders

Tim Rindahl is present and provided brief quarterly report (Please see Attached Report).

Concerns with ENP Sites; Please have complaints in writing. RBC will be addressing concerns

today in the Executive Session. Executive Director, Laurie York provided brief updates on the

concerns brought forward from our elders. Laurie will update Mr. Rindahl when there are changes

with ENP.

Colleen Blattenbauer is present and provided a brief quarterly Financial Report (Please see

Attached Report).

Meeting Recessed at 11:00 a.m.

Meeting Reconvened at 11:42 a.m.

White Earth Elders Commission

Pam Aspinwall is present and provided a brief quarterly report (Please see Attached Report).

Election

Veronica Newcomer, Deputy General Counsel has been in contact with Christie Haverkamp, and

they received the background information on the three candidates and provided a brief update.

e Stella Divine ~ At-Large

e Laurelai Morales ~ D2 Commissioner

e Missy Fairbanks, D2 Commissioner

They will be taking the vacant seats that are open.

Program Updates

White Earth Housing Authority (Please see Attached Report).

Representative Eugene Sommers referenced the WEHA quarterly report.

White Earth Health Service

Raimy Ronning is present and provided a brief quarterly report (Please see Attached Report).

e Final Phase of the remodel project will be completed in December

e Retirement; Kathy Berry and Bev Robbins

¢ Cultural Training will be held September 18"

White Earth Tribal & Community College

Anna Shepard is present and provided a brief quarterly report. Tracking ahead for student count,

anticipating about an 8% increase for fall enrollment.

New Positions

e Restructure of current team

Institutional Effectiveness

Financial Advisor

Language & Cultural Coordinator

I.T Help Desk

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Future positions

Counselor

Wellness Center Director

Part-time Marketing Specialist to Full-time

Cultural Arts

Additional Custodian

HR Trainer

Student Success Coaches

Language

11 Projects currently happening over the summer

Fall

Phase 4 addition/renovation

Received an NSF Grant

Installing a Winter Greenhouse

Solar ray will be replaced

Parking lot being re-surfaced

Loading Dock Driveway Access

Medical Simulation Mobile Unit

Storage Garage

Lactation Pod

Cubical Offices

Library being restructured

Higher Learner Commission will take place October 28" — 29"

o Five areas they will be looking at

o Federal Compliance Review

0 Policies and Procedures

o Financial Aid

o Pell Grants

o Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Website

o Spring 2024 Data Fact Sheet

o Pell Eligibility

o Schedule for fall semester and spring semester

o AA online — next fall and accreditation

Secretary/Treasurer, Michael LaRoque referenced the Tiwahe Initiative Budget Approval

Memorandum of Information.

Community Council updates

Callaway ~ No active Community Council

Elbow Lake ~ Not Present

Iron Range ~ Not Present

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Mahnomen ~ Not Present (Please see Attached Report)

District I] Representative Eugene Sommers references the Mahnomen Community Council

Quarterly Report.

Naytahwaush

Tara Mason is present and provided a brief quarterly report (Please see attached Report).

Additions to the letter

¢ Reports are being brought to NCC’s attention regarding violence

¢ When will all Community Council meeting be held

¢ Constitutional Reform

Northeast White Earth (NEWE) Community Council ~ Not Present (Please see Attached Report).

Secretary/Treasurer, Michael LaRoque references the Cass Lake Community Council quarterly

report.

Pine Point Community Council ~ Not Present (Please see Attached Report)

District II] Representative Laura Lee Erickson references the Pine Point Community Council

quarterly report.

Michael Fairbanks left the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

Rice Lake ~ Not Present

District I Representative Henry Fox provided a brief quarterly report.

¢ Brief update on the new homes for Rice Lake

¢ New Playground

e New Sand Volleyball

Michael Fairbanks returned to the meeting at 12:32 p.m.

Representative Fox stated the importance of attending quarterly meetings

e Units for Rice Lake

Waubun

Shannon Eck is present and provided a brief quarterly report.

e Partnered with the CSO’s for a dinner and picnic

¢ Waubun Days partnered with:

o Midwest Bank

o Cedar Sense

o Served 250 community members

e Back to School Bingo

White Earth ~ Not Present

Urban ~ Not Present (Please see attached Report).

Secretary/Treasurer Michael LaRoque references the Urban Community Council quarterly report.

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Trip Request from Urban Community members for Inauguration to be held August 6'", 2024,

Resolution for General Fund:

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Resolution No, 001-24-059 second by Eugene

Sommers. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Old Business

No old Business

New Business

Tracy Lhotka, Finance is present and provides a brief overview of the Designated Official.

Designated Official:

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve: second by Michael LaRoque. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Pesticide Code Revisions:

A brief discussion was held regarding posting to tribal membership for public comment. RBC

approve an effective immediate date of August 19'", 2024.

Michael Fairbanks left meeting at 12:49 p.m.

Henry Fox Chaired meeting

Resolution — Natural Resources Proposed Amendment to White Earth Environmental Code,

Pesticide and Chemical Ordinance: Provision to the resolution will be completed:

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Resolution No. 057-24-036 with Amendments:

second by Eugene Sommers. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Michael Fairbanks returned to meeting at 12:56 p.m.

Court/Judicial MOU Title IV-E:

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve; second by Eugene Sommers. Motion carried: 4 for,

0 against.

Consent Agenda / Signatory Requests and Ratifications for July 26, 2024

Move into Executive Session:

e¢ Scattered Mini Home Development District If & II] Contract and Resolution

e Scattered Mini Home Development District Il & III] Bergstrom Electric Contract

& Resolution

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to approve with changes; second by Michael LaRoque. Motion

carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to enter into Executive Session at 1:03 p.m.; second by Henry

Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

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Meeting Recessed at 1:03 p.m.

Meeting Reconvened at 1:22 p.m.

Land

Megan Bakken and Sarah LaFriniere are present and provided updates.

Homesites; District Ill — 1 Site:

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Lakeshore; District lI — 1 Site:

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to approve; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Residential; District ll — 1 Site:

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to approve; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Serviceline Agreement; Wild Rice Electric:

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve; second by Eugene Sommers. Motion carried: 4

for, 0 against.

Other; Star Lake — Property Purchase; $450,000:

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve; second by Eugene Sommers. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Finance

Tracy Lhotka CFO is present and provided a brief overview of the Budget Modification. The Ice

Cracking Fisheries/Hatchery Project needs additional funding. The Homeless Shelter Construction

Project has remaining funds in the amount of $123,302.58. Both Projects are budgeted from fund

241000. Tracy is requesting that the White Earth Reservation Business Committee authorize a

budget modification to transfer the funds from the Homeless Shelter to the Ice Cracking project.

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Legal

[ARR EPA’s

Tribal Reserved Rights Rule:

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Resolution No. 001-24-060; second by Michael

LaRoque. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Resolution - WERBC Water Protection Ordinance Litigation Expenses FY24 Appropriation; up

to $1 million dollars from General Fund:

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve Resolution No. 001-24-061; second by Michael LaRoque.

Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

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Expert Contracts and Appropriation for Water Strategy Team (From WEDNR):

Waiting for a scope of work from experts. Table

Resolution — Amicus Support for Respondents (MIFP/ICWA):

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Resolution No. 001-24-062; second by Henry Fox.

Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

ENP Sites

A brief discussion was held on the ENP sites. The ENP Kitchens will be open. RBC is in

consensus.

Softball Tournaments Donation Requests

A brief discussion was held on the two softball requests)

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve; second by Eugene Sommers. Motion carried: 3 for,

0 against. Laura Lee Erickson is silent.

City of Mahnomen ~ Civil Regulatory and Tribal Members

A brief discussion was held on a citation for a tribal member for not cutting her grass in

Mahnomen. Concerns brought forward regarding the City of Mahnomen.

Scattered Mini Home Signatory Requests

Executive Director, Laurie York provided a brief update —— SL

Scattered Mini Home Development District II & II] Contract and Resolution:

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to approve Resolution 016-24-066; second by Laura Lee

Erickson. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Scattered Mini Home Development District II & II] Bergstrom Electric Contract & Resolution:

Table

Waabigwan Mashkiki

Zach Wilson is present and provided a brief update. Brief discussion held on the retail identified

new areas; St. Cloud ~ Main Street, Bemidji and Moorhead.

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State Cloud Property to negotiate for the property and work with Jacob Syverson:

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to approve; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 4 for, 0

against.

Executive Session ended at 3:17 p.m.

Motion made by Eugene Sommers to adjourn meeting at 3:17 p.m.; second by Michael LaRoque.

Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer

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