© Copyright 2017 White Earth Nation (2016)

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White Earth Nation

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 418

White Earth, MN 56591

www.whiteearth.com • www.facebook.com/WhiteEarthNation

Fiscal Year

2016

White Earth Nation

State of the Nation Report

To preserve, promote and enhance our quality of life.

Boozhoo

Greetings from White Earth Nation! As the past has proven, each year brings with it new challenges and struggles;

but out of those trials come opportunities and the promise of a better tomorrow. Many accomplishments have been

achieved this past year which reflect the commitment to our overall mission to preserve, promote, and enhance our

quality of life. It is with this mindset, we, the Tribal Council, strive for prosperity for all of our tribal and community

members. The following report exhibits many successes from this past year and reflects upon the hard work and

dedication from those invested in White Earth Nation.

White Earth continues to recognize the need for economic development to combat poverty and the ever prevalent

unemployment rates plaguing our communities. Because of this, we took great pride in the opening of Shooting Star

Casino Bagley which has created over 70 jobs for our people. Over the course of time, the casino will also contribute

to substantial economic impact on the reservation, while generating significant financial opportunities for White

Earth. The additional revenue created for the tribe will help fund our many programs that deal with education, health,

substance abuse and addiction, culture and language, human services, natural resources, and most importantly, our

elders and our youth.

The commitment to our youth has already begun. In our minds, our children and grandchildren represent dreams,

innovation, and new opportunities. Simply put, they are the key to future success here at White Earth, and we continue

to invest resources into our next generations as the programs and services offered continue to grow. This past year,

eighteen COLA students were given the opportunity to go on a college, career, and cultural trip that took them across

the country. The Naytahwaush Community Charter School and the Mahnomen Public School each held their first

annual Pow Wow, while we also saw the 30th Annual Head Start Pow Wow. These are a few examples on how we extend

our culture, values, and beliefs to a new generation to help continue the Anishinaabe way.

With commitment and persistence, there has been much progress made

this past year and we take great pride in the many accomplishments

achieved. We are truly blessed to have so many hard working individuals

dedicated to the success of the tribe and all of its members. The future

of White Earth is bright and we look ahead with both optimism and

enthusiasm.

Thank you to all for your continued support.

Miigwech,

Terrence “Terry” Tibbetts

Chairman

White Earth Reservation

Tribal Council & Directors

White Earth Reservation Tribal Council

Terrence “Terry” Tibbetts

Chairman

Steven “Punky” Clark

Kathy Goodwin

District I Representative

Secretary/Treasurer

District II Representative

Directors

Kenneth Fox Jr.

Executive Director

Tara Mason

Eugene “Umsy” Tibbetts

District III Representative

Mike Fairbanks

Deputy Director

Jeri Jasken

Larry Olson

Ben Bement

Elizabeth Foster-Anderson Scott Omlid

Behavioral Health

Human Services

Eugene Vivier

Public Works

Mary Otto

Interim Education

Michael Neusser

Economic Development

Joe Plumer

Mike LaRoque

Public Safety

White Earth Enterprises

Finance

Human Resources

Housing

Nakoa Graff

Monica Hedstrom

Natural Resources

Patricia Butler

Health

Steven Howard

Thomas Bement

Marketing & Communications

Rae Ann Smith

Compliance

Judicial Services

Vision: The White Earth Tribal Council will be a proactive organization that makes sound decisions

promoting mino-bimahdiziwin (The Good Life). The White Earth Nation will be a safe place where

all people have access to quality employment, housing, education, health and human services. While

we protect our inherent right to self-governance and identity, we are a community of respect where

cultural, historical and environmental assets are treasured and conserved for future generations.

History

Tradition of Giving Gifts

Giving gifts always has been an important part of Chippewa life. Gifts at pow wows and ceremonies showed esteem and

confirmed family ties and friendships. Elders and sick people depended on gifts to live. Those who had passed were

given food and clothing for the next life. Gifts to outsiders

were generous.

The Chippewa also gave gifts to the spirits and the spirits

protected them, giving gifts in return. One gift of the spirit

was the wisdom of visions that came through fasting. Often

the visions came in dreams, the special gift of Kitchi Manido

to the original people. With the dreams came the duty to

act according to their wisdom. To the Chippewa, dreams

are spiritual perceptions that give meaning to everyday

happenings. Significant even to children, dreams provide a

guide for life.

The ritual of fasting and dreaming in the forest was an

important step for the young Chippewa. With proper

preparation, the quest would result in a vision for life. Young

Boiling maple sap, 1920

people would blacken their face with charcoal, go alone to a

Courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society

special area, and fast until the vision came. An adult always

watched over a person on a dream quest. No one would think of interfering.

Afterwards, a dreamer shared his vision with spiritual members of the tribe who helped interpret it. Ever after, the

vision was a source of strength every time it was remembered. The dreamer decorated his possessions with a symbol

of the dream and took his name from it. He could even pass on its strength to someone else. Without such a vision, a

person was considered a child for life. And life had no meaning.

Government saw mill, White Earth Reservation, 1872

Courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society

June 10, 1910 celebration

Courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society

Walking Shield Visits Waubun

Believing vision is a basic human right, on April 25th

Walking Shield visited White Earth Reservation.

Working out of the Waubun High School, doctors

affiliated with Walking Shield and OneSight gave over

1,934 eye exams and handed out 850 pairs of glasses.

During the event, there were two records broken;

largest Walking Shield event to ever take place and

most eye exams completed in one day.

Explosion Rocks Callaway

On March 24 at 12:25 p.m., a tanker truck carrying 10,000 pounds of propane collided with a Canadian

Pacific Railway freight train in Callaway. Eleven rail cars and one locomotive derailed.

Twenty-one fire departments, eight law enforcement agencies, three ambulance services, the State Fire

Marshal’s office, and Canadian Pacific Railway officials assisted in the response.

Community

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Callaway opened it’s doors to shelter local residents and provided space

for a command post for first responders. Firefighters poured water on the burning tanker for about 10 hours

after the collision. Later in the evening at 10:20 p.m., the tanker exploded, shooting a ball of flames into the

air. No one was injured and the fire blew itself out.

Fairbanks Honored for

Volunteering

Joe Fairbanks was recently honored for his many

hours of volunteering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of

the White Earth Reservation-White Earth Unit. He

received a Pendleton blanket and eagle feathers.

•

Transit donates bus to Naytahwaush

Community Charter School

White Earth Nation’s WECARE system

will be incorporating a new strategy called

2-Generational Approach to reduce poverty

Vince Beyl named one of top 3 announcers

on pow wow circuit

•

Naytahwaush Nightriders raise funds for

RRV Hospice

White Earth Tribal & Community College

students are honored for accomplishments

and academics

Tribal Council helps Santa deliver toys

Pine Point received community murals

White Earth Child Support Making an Impact

White Earth Child Support started transferring cases from the State of Minnesota. Since then, there is a total case

count of 1,656 closed/opened cases, which is expected to increase through the transfer project. Additional positive

impacts White Earth Child Support has or is in the process of completing are:

• There has been $602,000 collected in current and past due child support for the fiscal year

• 924 out of 1,087 paternities have been established; ranking White Earth at 85%

• The four Tribal Child Support Tribes (White Earth, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and Red Lake) along with Minnesota

State DHS counter parts are submitting legislation proposal on Court Jurisdiction regarding Child Support cases

Annual Harm Reduction Summit

A two-day public health conference was hosted by a collaborative group consisting of tribal, state, and federal partners

focusing on eliminating health disparities related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), viral hepatitis C (HCV),

integrated sexually transmitted infections (STI), tuberculosis (TB), and drug use in tribal and rural communities. The

5th Annual Summit had 41 speakers and 38 sessions (34 breakout sessions and 4 plenary sessions). The purpose of this

summit was to bring together multidisciplinary experts, consumers or people living with HIV or HCV, community

members, various stakeholders, and tribal leadership to explore best practices, current and emerging trends in

addressing HIV/HCV/STI’s and drug use to eliminate health disparities for tribal and rural communities.

•

The Summit drew a total of 288 registered participants from over 17 states

The Summit brought together health care providers including nurses, physicians, and pharmacists, mental health

and substance abuse professionals, social workers, community members, and advocates

Harm Reduction Services

White Earth Public Health Services (WEPHS) expanded harm reduction services to include mobile public health

services in addition to services in the White Earth Public Health Clinic located in the Tribal Health Building. Services

include syringe services, HCV screening, linkage to care, overdose prevention education, and referrals for supportive

services including “Rule 25” and WECARE assessments. In 2017, WEPHS will continue to expand these services and

continue to provide community-based overdose prevention education and naloxone (Narcan) distribution to combat

the opioid overdose epidemic impacting the United States.

•

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar visits

Callaway

Festival for Fathers & Families is a big hit

with community members

White Earth Diabetes Project Run/Walk to

fight diabetes

White Earth Tribal & Community College

•

students take first place at UMD Ojibwe

Quiz Bowl

Annual Halloween themed Health Fair held

in Naytahwaush

Transit donates buses to Pine Point Elders

and the Boys & Girls Clubs of White Earth

Reservation

White Earth Fisheries Program Continues Work with Sturgeon

The White Earth Fisheries program is in year 17 of a 20-year Lake Sturgeon re-introduction plan for White

Earth, Round Lake, and the Wild Rice River. Each year staff work with several agencies and travel to

Manitou Rapids to assist in sturgeon egg collection and fertilization. After this process, the eggs are then

delivered to various hatcheries throughout the region and held until they reach 6-8 inches in size. When

the fish reach this size, the they are ready to be placed into White Earth’s waters.

White Earth, with the assistance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, monitors the fish on an annual

basis to check growth rates and to implement a digital tagging system to monitor the fish. These numbers

are used to complete next year’s stocking rates and management plans. To date, this has been a very

successful effort and White Earth is looking forward to the days of a self-sustaining sturgeon population.

Enhancing Wild Rice Beds

Community

White Earth Natural Resources Department has been working towards

restoring and enhancing wild rice beds around the Reservation for three

years. Wild rice beds that have been losing their integrity or have nearly

lost their self-sustaining status have been prioritized for initial treatment.

With the help of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS),

White Earth has seeded nearly 6,000 lbs. of rice on Roy Lake and Little

Elbow Lake. In the fall of 2016, 5,000 lbs. of wild rice were seeded in

Shuckart Lake, Little Rat Lake, and Little Vanose Lake. Future seedings

will continue as beds reach sustainable wild rice growth and new water

bodies are identified for restoration.

White Earth Mii-gii-way Advisory Board

Last fiscal year, the Donations Committee, comprised of White Earth Nation and Shooting Star Casino

employees, approved 116 donation requests for a total of $105,000. Some of the approvals include:

•

White Earth Elders Christmas Party

White Earth Elderly Nutrition Program

White Earth Job and Career Fair

Local Community Councils

Ogema Fire Department

White Earth Fire Department

Waubun School

Mahnomen School

Circle of Life Academy

Naytahwaush Community Charter School

Sah-kah-Tay Indigenous Preservation Society

(Wild Rice Camp, Maple Syrup Camp, Winter

Camp and Berry Camp)

Mahnomen/NTW JOM Program

•

Mahnomen Women of Today

Waubun Summer Rec Program

Mahnomen Area Youth Baseball Program

Baagosendan Program

Local Food Shelves

Waubun Preharvest Festival

Ogema Community Days

White Earth DOVE Program

Sobriety Pow Wow

Detroit Lakes School, Native American

Awareness Week

White Earth Indian Child Welfare

White Earth Early Childhood

White Earth Tribal and Community College

White Earth Police Gather for Oath of Office & Swearing in Ceremony

An Oath of Office and Swearing in Ceremony was held December 2nd for the new White Earth Chief of Police/Director

of Public Safety, Mike LaRoque, and all DPS/WEPD police officers, sergeants, investigators, and lieutenants at the Rice

Lake Community Center. Minnesota Post Board requires that when there is a new chief of police hired, everyone has to

be sworn in by him. The new chief must also be sworn in by a higher official.

White Earth Police Department Welcomes

New Community Service Officer

The new Community Service Officer, Curtis Rogers, will be a liaison for the police

department with all the Community Councils, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Elders

Committee. Rogers will be planning and organizing events in each community

with the youth and community members. Rogers is a White Earth enrollee and he

is also a community member of White Earth Reservation.

2016 Calls for Service Information

•

Within the White Earth Reservation boundaries, there were 22,274 calls for service. The White Earth Public Safety

Division responded to 15,270 or 68.56%* of those calls

Motor Vehicle Department issued more than 2,426 new vehicle registration and registration renewals, 792 picture

and descendant ID cards, and approximately 3,339 hunting, fishing, and gathering licenses

42 marijuana plants seized

$63,000

507 g processed marijuana

$2,000

24 g cocaine $515

73 g crystal methamphetamine

$108,486

219.2 g heroin $144,075

46 dosage units LSD, other hallucinogens

$9,000

40 g hash oil $3,900

37 g unknown powders

Unsure

Total street value of all drugs seized

$330,976

Vehicles seized: 14

Firearms off the streets: 26

Amount of drug arrests: 205

Anonymous Tip Line: 1-877-410-8550

*Other emergency services responded to the remainder.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Georgianna Adams was awarded the Lifetime

Achievement Award during the Pine Point Elders

Appreciation day in April. Community members

gathered as Adams was honored with a plaque

and a Pendleton blanket.

Annual Elders Picnic

More than 270 elders registered for the event. It was a gorgeous day and there were many

compliments from elders on the food, service, and support. White Earth Chairman Terry Tibbetts

and White Earth District III Representative Umsy Tibbetts attended and visited with the elders.

Elder Sisters Graduate Together at White Earth Tribal &

Community College

It has been said that learning keeps the mind sharp. Two

sisters have decided to do just that by achieving their

associate degrees a bit later in life at White Earth Tribal and

Community College.

Carol “Jean” McDougall, 76, and Lois “Petey” Olson, 70, may

be sisters and have different interests, yet both of them felt it

is never too late to get that college education they had always

thought about achieving.

Elders

McDougall’s degree is in Native American Studies and

Olson’s degree is in Humanities. Both are proud of their

accomplishment and did not plan to graduate at the same

time but glad it happened that way.

These two senior ladies are an inspiration to many because

they feel if they can do it, so can others. They both had

challenges along the way, yet persevered. For anyone putting

off their education because it is perceived as “too late in life,”

think again and forge ahead. Achieving that personal educational goal can be rewarding and fulfilling.

Just ask the ladies who recently graduated from WETCC and got their degrees regardless of age.

Elder Honored at the

Head Start Pow Wow

Former District I Representative Irene Auginaush was

recently honored at the 30th Annual Head Start Pow Wow

in Rice Lake. Auginaush has been credited for starting the

tradition of holding an annual Head Start Pow Wow.

Wisdom Steps Program for Elders

More than 25 White Earth elders attended the

16th Annual Wisdom Steps Conference held June

14th-16th in Hinkley, Minnesota. Attendees who

gathered learned about health education and

participated in various activities.

There are 31 participants in the Wisdom Steps

program with a total of 244 health screenings

received and over 25,877,170 steps walked.

Jean Lotvola Retires

Jeanne Lotvola, White Earth Senior Store and Caring for Kids

Store Coordinator, has retired. Jeanne was one of the original

elders who kept the Senior Store going for more than 10 years.

In 2007, Jeanne agreed to help the White Earth Early Childhood

Initiative by managing the reservation’s first ever Caring for

Kids Store and housing it within the Senior Store. Jeanne did

a wonderful job of managing both stores, keeping the shelves

stocked, working with parents/caregivers, programs and

staff. In between doing all of that, Jeanne stayed busy making

blankets, teddy bears, or pot-holders for both store. Jeanne was a

wonderful asset and will be missed at the stores.

Boys & Girls Clubs of White Earth Reservation Making a Difference

With the mission statement of: to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their

full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, White Earth Reservation’s Boys & Girls Clubs

are having a profound impact on our youth. All clubs are driven by a passionate belief that we all have a

responsibility to our youth and the communities in which they live.

Boys & Girls Clubs locations can be found in Rice Lake, Naytahwaush, Mahnomen, White Earth, Pine

Point, and Callaway. In fiscal year 2016, club leaders began the process of partnering with the Waubun/

Ogema School District to open clubs in Ogema and Waubun.

What the Boys & Girls Clubs Mean to our Youth and Leaders

Donavan Age: 6

I like to play games like wii with my

brother and friends at club.

Aj Hill Age: 7

You get to meet a new best friend, play

electronics, have fun and eat healthy food.

LeAundra Rojas Age: 10

Club is so fun because there is always

something new to do and you get to play

with your friends.

Ryan Madigan Jr. Age: 9

I like club because we get to play games

with our friends and my cousin goes there.

I stay strong by playing football at club.

Youth

Cali Mason Age: 5

We get to learn how to bead and learn

the Ojibwe language during power hour.

Because club is fun and I like learning.

Terese Madigan (unit lead)

For me working as a Unit Lead at the BGC OF W.E.R, is very important. I see it as an opportunity to

connect with our kids through culture and language, and to me they are our future. The next future

generation need to be educated and being a part of that is my goal. To educate the youth to be more

healthy, successful in all areas of life more than what my generation has, so on and so forth. It’s very

rewarding knowing I am giving back in a positive way and that my time is being used wisely. To see our

youth having something to smile about, well that’s the highlight of it all.

Club Highlights

•

There were over 20,000 meals served to the youth

Boys & Girls Clubs youth were given a tour of the new Viking Stadium before completion in March 2016

Kelly Concho-Hayes, Director of Organizational Development, Boys & Girls Club Native Services Unit, announces

that the Boys & Girls Club is now a newly formed Charter under the White Earth Tribal Council

The Annual Golf Fundraiser Tournament was held at Forest Hills in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Staff and youth went to Valley Fair

Mahnomen Teen Named Boys & Girls

Clubs of the White Earth Reservation

Youth of the Year

The Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most

awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures

and encourages all kids to lead, succeed, and inspire.

As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of the

White Earth Reservation, 17-year-old Josh Zornes is a true

example of an extraordinary young adult recognized by BGCA.

Zornes is recognized for his leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Zornes has

been a Club member for 10+ years, is an active youth council representative, and is currently employed by the Club as

a junior staff member. He contributes many of his accomplishes to his family, friends, and mentor Brenda Weaver, Unit

Lead of the Mahnomen unit.

Circle of Life Academy Students

Take a College, Career, and

Culture Trip

The Circle of Life Academy students were given the

opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime college,

career, and cultural trip in April. Eighteen of the

COLA 9-12 grade students left COLA on April 25th

at 7 a.m. They made the three-hour journey to the

University of Minnesota Morris Campus and toured

the grounds and classrooms. After lunch, they made

their way to Lawrence, Kan., where they toured Haskell Indian Nations University.

The group spent the next few days touring different landmarks, including the Palo Duro Canyon near

Amarillo, Texas, and the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, N.M. The grand finale to the trip was

attending the Gathering of Nations PowWow on April 29th -30th in Albuquerque, N.M. Students returned

to White Earth on May 3rd with new dreams, souvenirs, and many memories.

Tribal Police vs. Naytahwaush Youth

Naytahwaush youth challenged the White Earth Tribal

Police to a basketball game in May in Naytahwaush.

The youth won 89-50.

More than 40 Students Attend 18th Annual White Earth

Academy of Math and Science

Youth

In June, more than 40 White Earth Nation students were introduced to a variety of transportation topics in

a day long session offered by the Roadway Safety Institute (RSI). The camp focuses on hands-on learning

and uses Ojibwe culture and heritage as a vehicle for studying math, science, and engineering. It is offered

in partnership by the White Earth Nation and the University of Minnesota.

•

First Thunder being House naming

ceremony

COLA received the federal School

Improvement Grant (SIG)

Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court & the

Dually Involved Youth Program sponsors

Potato Dance

•

COLA Booster Club raised funds for

athletics

White Earth Natural Resources staff take

Head Start students ice fishing

8th Annual COLA Snowsnakes Tournament

White Earth Police play COLA students in a

basketball game

Pine Point Shines Again at the 8th Annual

White Earth Amercan Indian Regional

Science Fair Youth

Pine Point School brought home six winning projects with 1st place in

every category.

The top science fair projects included “Flowing Touch,” by Aurora

Annette and Linda Diaz, where energy went through people’s body

to make a circuit on an electric key board, “Dirty Talk,” by Angela

Greenfeather, where iPhones were tested for germs, and “My Eyes Are

Playing Tricks On Me,” by Bridgette Basswood.

Students Gather for Progressive Agriculture Safety Day

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was held May 17th at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center. More than 110 students

from Naytahwaush Community Charter School, Circle of Life Academy, Waubun, St. Michael’s, and Mahnomen learned

about electrical, vehicle, chemical, fire, ATV, internet, grain, animal, and farm equipment safety along with first aid.

Hill-Murray School Students

Visit the Reservation

Hill-Murray once again visited White Earth. Spending the

week of June 7th-11th on the reservation, students were able

to volunteer their time creating 32 large and 74 small raised

garden beds for various communities around White Earth

Reservation.

Continuing to make this trip possible for Hill-Murray

students are Ron and Marilyn Mitsch. Ron and Marilyn live

in the Twin Cities area and have a special connection to

the White Earth Reservation. It is their personal mission to

continue to make White Earth a better place for all.

•

COLA implements the Backpack Program

5th Annual Shooting Star Scholarship Golf

Tournament raised $49,340 for youth

White Earth hosts annual lacrosse camp

Native STAND came to COLA

Pine Point had a 12% increase in the

number of students passing the MCA tests

•

COLA has a fully integrated and staffed

Ojibwe Language and Culture Program

Pine Point students built dog houses

COLA held 1st Annual COLA Moccasin

Game Tournament

Rice Lake Boys & Girls Club held a 3 on 3

basketball tournament

Highlights

•

Government

•

White Earth officials met with presidential

candidate Bernie Sanders in Hibbing, Minnesota

White Earth Nation was named as best-suited to

manage conservation project

2016 Inauguration of Terrence “Terry” Tibbetts

and Eugene “Umsy” Tibbetts

Peggy Flanagan became the first Native woman

to address the Democratic National Convention

White Earth Delegates Meet

with Federal Stakeholders in

D.C. Government

A White Earth delegation led by Chairman Terry

Tibbetts and District III Representative Umsy Tibbetts

attended meetings with Federal stakeholders

July 11th- 13th in Washington, D.C.

Discussions were focused on funding for the Tribal

Law and Order Act (TLOA), Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) distribution, land

surveying of trust property, and formal introductions

to the Federal government.

•

Kenneth “Gus” Bevins retires after 16 years as

District III Representative

White Earth Tribal Council was awarded a

$5,500 grant from Open Your Heart to the

Hungry and Homeless

Governor Dayton names first American Indian

Supreme Court Justice; White Earth descendant

Chairwoman Erma Vizenor resigns

Secretary/Treasurer Testifies in D.C.

White Earth Secretary-Treasurer Tara Mason and Lorena

Vogt, White Earth Land Acquisitions Manager, testified

March 16th at the Environment and Natural Resource

Policy and Finance Committee Hearing at the State Capital

in St. Paul. White Earth has been approved for full funding

for a 2,034 acre conservation land acquisition using Legacy

Amendment Funding two years in a row.

White Earth Nation Welcomes State Funding Government

White Earth Nation received $5.18 million from the Minnesota Legislature for essential tribal programs. Funding

will support Human Services, Indian Child Welfare, and the White Earth Integrated Businesses Development System

(WEIBDS). An additional $1 million government aid appropriation will also support the tribe.

White Earth RTC Creates a Compliance Division

The White Earth Compliance Division was created in March 2016 and is a combination of newly created departments

and reorganization of existing Tribal Government and Casino Operations areas. The division is comprised of Gaming

Regulatory, Compliance Adjudication, Casino Surveillance, Risk Management, Quality Assurance, and Drug Testing.

Some major highlights include Gaming Regulatory, Surveillance and Risk Managements involvement in the planning

and execution of the opening of Shooting Star Bagley facility in August. The opening of a new gaming facility takes

research and planning to ensure that all of the gaming regulatory components have been met along with ensuring that

all of the environmental and health and life safety codes are adhered to.

Compliance Adjudication is a combined government / casino operations backgrounds adjudication processing division

for new hires, licensing and renewals. Combining these areas streamlines the processes for both the associates and

hiring areas.

Quality Assurance is a newly created area that assists departments in drafting policy or procedures to ensure they are

compliant with regulations pertaining to specific programs or governing documents, concentrating on implementing

best practices.

Drug testing is a servicing division for the government and casino operations conducting the testing requirements in

accordance with the governing documents of those entities. This division has now outsourced and is providing testing

services to outside agencies and school districts.

First Traditional Men’s Gathering Event

Working to end the battle of addiction on the reservation, the Drug Task Force created the first annual

Traditional Men’s Gathering event in August. The conference illustrated the Anishinaabe

culture by depicting men’s roles, traditional healing, legal rights, addiction, and much more.

The goal of the event was to help men understand their past, how to overcome current

struggles, and what they can attain in the future. It was the overall objective of the gathering to

ensure every man has the opportunity to be heard and recognized.

Devoted to Culture

We are devoted to infusing culture across the board

internally and externally throughout all divisional

programs and resources. Cultural activities include:

•

Cedar wiping

Sweat lodges

Naming ceremonies

Pipe ceremonies

Ojiwbe Signs Spotted on the Reservation

Culture

Part of ingraining culture in everyday life on White Earth

Reservation, new signs have been posted around various lakes.

The news signs depict the Ojibwe spelling of the lake with the

english spelling below. This project was brought forth by White

Earth’s Cultural Coordinator.

Lacrosse Bringing Together Culture and Youth

Veterans

White Earth Housing Authority Receives

HUD & VA Grants to Help Native Vets

Experiencing Homelessness

For the first time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA) recently awarded $5.9 million in grants to 26 Tribes

to offer a permanent home and supportive services to Native

American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing

homelessness. The White Earth Reservation Housing Authority

received $142,980.

White Earth Honor

Guard Remembers:

Paul Bud Boswell

Robert Skip Swan

Willie Morales

Garrison Wabbie Evans

Bert Stevens

Donald Bush

Ken Arthur

The White Earth Honor Guard also honors and remembers other White Earth Veterans who have passed, therefore not

involved within the White Earth Veteran’s Association. Your service is graciously appreciated.

White Earth Nation Celebrates Many Pow Wows

Through out the Year in Various Communities

Pow Wow

•

Honoring Our Mothers Pow Wow - Mahnomen

Harvest Fest Pow Wow - Naytahwaush

Rice Lake Memorial Day Pow Wow - Rice Lake

Pine Point Pow Wow - Pine Point

Pine Point School Pow Wow - Pine Point

Head Start Pow Wow - Rice Lake

Circle of Life Pow Wow - White Earth

Annual White Earth Celebration and Pow Wow - White Earth

Naytahwaush Community Charter Schools - Naytahwaush

Mahnomen Public Schools Pow Wow - Mahnomen

Shooting Star Contest Pow Wow - Mahnomen

148th Annual White Earth Celebration and Pow Wow

More than 435 registered dancers (not including tiny tots) and 20 drums attended the 148th Annual White Earth

Celebration and Pow Wow held June 10th-12th. The new 2016/17 Royalty are Opwaganse “Puggy” Goodwin (Senior

Brave), Orlando Ellis (Junior Brave), Star Norcross (Senior Princess), and Sophie Rojas (Junior Princess).

White Earth Development Organization

The White Earth Development Organization (WEDO) was established in August 2015 via Resolution

016-15-017 with the purpose of coordinating development across all divisions and within the White Earth

Reservation and external sites of interest. WEDO will utilize all necessary tribal resources at their disposal

to successfully achieve development and infrastructure improvements. Although many divisions are called

upon for their expertise, voting membership is comprised of representatives from limited divisions: Natural

Resources, Economic Development, Public Works, Finance, Cultural, and White Earth Enterprises, LLC.

Planning & Development

Fiscal year 2016 projects included (some ongoing):

• Creation of project protocols

• Real Property Acquisition Review Process

• Facility Condition Assessment project

• Solar PV project

• Naytahwaush Pow Wow Grounds

• Transit Facility - Waubun

• Rice Lake Center addition

• Housing First Facility

• Blight Building removal project

• COLA Ice Rink

• COLA Bus Propane fill station

• Mahnomen Cultural Center

• Maaigin Achigaazo (Gathering Place)

• Human Services Office in White Earth

• Naytahwaush Drum Hall

• RTC expansion feasibility

• Mahnomen Head Start Center

• Land Use Plan

Naytahwaush Pow Wow Grounds

Economic Development

Foundation Federal Grant dollars for fiscal year 2016 were approximately $11,000,000.

Below are White Earth funding contributors:

•

Bush Foundation

Federal Transit Administration

First Nations Development Institute

McKnight Foundation

Minnesota Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Minnesota State Arts Board

National Park Service

Indian Health Service

Shakopee Mdewakanton Community

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration

•

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development

U.S. Department of Justice, Coordinated Tribal

Assistance

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile

Justice and Delinquency Prevention

U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence

Against Women

*In years past, this figure was based on all funding from federal, state, foundation, and other sources. This

current figure is grant dollars specific to programming.

Community Entrepreneurism

The Gizhiigin Artisan Incubator has remained focused on the goal of increasing

market opportunities, skills, and success of local artist entrepreneurs. Programs

like the Traditional Arts Mentorship Program have created unique compensated

opportunities for artists to teach their skills and cultural knowledge to dedicated

learners. Public art projects have enlisted artists in the creation of new art for

the benefit of White Earth communities. Artists wielding improved skillsets are

taking steps towards expanding their creative work, taking advantage of market

opportunities, revitalizing Ojibwe art forms, and making a positive impact on the

White Earth Tribe’s economy and culture.

Gizhiigin has dedicated two years in a collaborative effort with artists on White

Earth Reservation. In the coming year, we will begin to see the fruits of this labor

with the touring and installation of new public art pieces, and the launching of

a new artist-owned and operated marketing cooperative called Nitaawichige

Arts. The cooperative will sell a variety of artworks, materials, and offer a

comfortable space for people to engage the arts through classes, shows, and

other public events. The LaDuke Building on Highway 59 and Jefferson Street in Mahnomen has been designated as

the new home for the Gizhiigin Incubator and Nitaawichige Arts, and is scheduled to open May 2017. Gizhiigin will

now be instrumental in another Economic Development Division endeavor as it becomes an instrumental piece to our

communities’ entrepreneurs as an integrated business development system.

Integrated Business Development Entrepreneurial System Initiative and Partnerships

Gizhiigin, an Integrated Business Development Entrepreneurial System, is a new economic development initiative of

the White Earth Tribe that is in the informational stage since its launch as a concept in early 2016. With the interest of

the state legislature in working to bolster employment and economic opportunities among minority racial populations

of disparity in Minnesota, this initiative was put forth to the state legislature for funding consideration as part of the

Disparities Special Appropriations by Tribal Strategic Affairs and with the support of the Economic Development

Division. After many months of hard work and in a collaborative effort, the Gizhiigin initiative was able to secure

access to a $500,000 grant from the state department of Employment and Economic Development with a yearly grant

opportunity thereafter of $125,000.

This initiative, in conjunction with the Disparities Special Appropriation, is seen as an opportunity to bring together a

historic partnership between White Earth Nation and the local, non-Native community to address the persistent high

unemployment rates and limited economic growth within our tribal and non-tribal population. One of Gizhiigin’s major

impact deliverables is the creation of the Greater Mahnomen Economic Development Authority as a joint economic

development venture of the White Earth Tribe, the City of Mahnomen, and Mahnomen County. This is historic in that

these entities have not worked together in the past but now see a mutual need to collaborate for the betterment of our

communities.

Beyond the emerging partnership with the City of Mahnomen and Mahnomen County, the following partnerships are

being developed by Gizhiigin:

•

White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) - business development training, workforce

development, mentoring

White Earth Enterprises, LLC – business development

Headwaters Regional Development Commission – business development

White Earth Training and Employment – workforce training

Grand Opening of Shooting Star Casino, Bagley

The 21,400 square-foot building opened its doors to the public on August 17th, and offers more than 170

slot machines, table games, and a new dining option - the Little Dipper Bar & Grill, featuring signature

burgers, steaks, 20+ taps of local and regional craft brews, and an outdoor lounge area with a fire

pit. Bill Marsh, general manager of Shooting Star Casinos, states, “we believe that there will be a substantial

economic impact on Bagley and the surrounding areas, creating both new employment and bringing new

dollars.”

Enterprises

According to Marsh, the new casino has created 71 job positions and the economic value of this property

will have a substantial impact on Bagely and the surrounding areas. Hours of operation for Shooting

Star Casino, Bagley are from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and open 24 hours Friday and

Saturday. The new casino is located off Highway 27, in between Ebro and Bagley, at 13325 340th Street.

Grand Opening of Tim Hortons

Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen hosted a grand opening

February 12th to celebrate its latest addition, Tim Hortons Café &

Bake Shop, located inside the casino next to the hotel front desk.

Shooting Star’s new Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop provides

a clean, contemporary, one-stop-shop for all hotel and casino

guests’ breakfast cravings, offering a wide selection of signaturebeld coffees, expresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks, and

famous bite-sized donut snacks, Timbits.

Business hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with breakfast

choices served until 5 p.m.

W Enterprisesrth

White Ear h Market

White Earth Reservation is extremely proud of what wild rice has brought to the people of White Earth. Beyond the

economic success, wild rice helps us maintain our cultural heritage by allowing those to work the rice beds like their

ancestors did before them. Wild rice is more than just a tradition, it is a way of life.

With the success of White Earth Enterprises - White Earth Market, our wild rice has become a household name and

has brought our buyers much joy. It is will great enthusiasm our business continues to grow in wild rice production and

other great traditional areas. As we continue to expand, so does our inventory selection.

Consumers are now able to purchase:

•

Traditional wild rice

Wild rice flour

Maple syrup

Honey

Birch bark baskets

With pride and determination, we will continue to serve our loyal customers with the best wild rice possible. Miigwech!

Overall sales

2016 Total Revenue - $269,576

2015 Total Revenue - $209,340

2014 Total Revenue - $157,825

2013 Total Revenue - $173,736

2012 Total Revenue - $126,666

Internet Sales

$44,137 in 2016

$18,427 in 2015

$24,260 in 2014

$16,163 in 2013

$13,269 in 2012

White Earth Market was recertified - organic from USDA in 2016

realwildrice.com

White Earth Reservation’s Drug Task Force

Brought forth as an initiative by tribal council in 2013, the White Earth Reservation Drug Task Force

brings together multiple programs, divisions, and outside entities with one goal in mind: to eradicate all

issues surrounding substance abuse. These regular planning and problem solving meetings began after

tribal council’s drug abuse emergency declaration, and continue to bring and share mino-bimaadiziwin

issues and healing ideas for all of us Anishinaabeg.

Drug Task Force projects include:

•

Drug Task Force

•

Telling the stories of positive mino-bimaadiziwin healing happening every day in our villages, sobrietysuccess stories

Teaching mino-bimaadiziwin through both traditional-cultural-spirit renewal and modern public

health teaching, for all age groups and need groups, including traditional healing ceremonies, elder

storytelling, men’s traditional teaching groups, and women’s traditional teaching groups

Supporting the MOMS Program work of helping young families with children, born and yet unborn,

find healthy and respectful ways of clean and sober life together

Protecting our elders from abuse, neglect, and other dangers, listening to their wise counsel, offering

safe social opportunities, and providing elder advocates to assist them

Providing healthy, safe, fun activities for our young people, including on evenings and weekends

Making neighborhoods safer for all, by defeating drug dealing; including deterring drug dealing and

drug abuse at our casino locations

Encouraging learning, relearning, and daily practical use of Anishinaabemowin language; including

bilingual signage, and the recent hiring of a tribal Anishinaabemowin instructor

Rescuing narcotic overdose victims with naloxone, by teaching naloxone rescue to all groups and ages,

supplying naloxone rescue kits, and offering compassionate post-rescue support

Addressing the healing needs of those who struggle with other forms of drug abuse and addiction, not

just for those struggling against narcotics

Developing restorative justice drug court for adults living on our Gaa-waabaabiganikaag lands

Continuing to support our youth restorative justice court, and youth intensive aftercare

Preparing better ways to help those returning home to Gaa-waabaabiganikaag from jail or prison; with

places to live, work, study, and find transportation

Offering our school-age children drug abuse prevention and celebrating sobriety education

Making better places and rules for single adults in tribal-endorsed sobriety support housing

•

Sharing the good we have all discovered and learned with our cousins from other tribal nations

Strengthening respectful, clear communication and cooperation across all tribal services

Sharing timely community health education on issues like carfentanil risks and naloxone rescue

Developing safe interim living situations for individuals awaiting entry into intensive treatment care

Supporting responsible return to sobriety through medication assisted treatment, plus intensive support services

from public and behavioral health, human services, and traditional healing

Making harm reduction services and education more readily available to all our villages

Addressing and correcting disparities in availability of sober living support, better employment possibilities, and

fewer employment exclusions on White Earth Nation lands

Supporting effective sharing of helping service registration procedures through WECARE

Encouraging better county law enforcement/court cooperation with tribal police and court

Developing traditional culture-based crisis response teams, to assist with healing of the wounds of loss and grief

Renewing community discussion meetings on problems of drug abuse in our villages

Revising tribal housing codes to make them more sobriety-service friendly

Total Tribal Expenditures

General Government

$8,260,540

Health Services

$18,467,287

Education

$8,000,509

Human Services

$18,842,918

Public Safety

$2,810,140

Conservation of Natural Resources

$2,615,562

Transportation

$1,970,335

Economic Development

$291,278

Culture and Recreation

$1,701,017

Community Service

$601,918

Public Works

$178,564

5000000

5,000,000

10000000

10,000,000

15000000

15,000,000

20000000

20,000,000

White Earth Nation expenditures increased from $64.7 million in 2015 to $75.9 million in 2016. As our

program and service offerings continue to expand, we will continue to increase our economic and social

diversification throughout the region.

Financials

In 2016, White Earth Nation provided over $39.5 million in payroll and benefits. This number grows

to over $76.9 million annually when coupled with our associates at Shooting Star Casino, White Earth

Enterprises, and White Earth Tribal & Community College.

FY 2015 vs. FY 2016 Total Tribal Expenditures

20,000,000

20000000

18,000,000

18000000

16000000

14,000,000

14000000

10,000,000

12000000

10000000

8,000,000

8000000

4,000,000

6000000

4000000

2,000,000

2000000

FY 2015

Series1

FY 2016

Series2

Tribal General Fund

$5,720,514

General Government

$3,266,358

Health Services

$43,409

Education

$3,398,395

Human Services

$2,497,696

Public Safety

$878,721

Conservation of Natural Resources

$1,002,970

Transportation

$96,387

Economic Development

$1,402,332

Culture and Recreation

$598,158

Community Service

1000000

1,000,000

2000000

4000000

2,000,0003000000 3,000,000

5000000

7000000

4,000,000 6000000

6,000,000

As a segment of total expenditures, the general fund makes up a significant portion of overall expenses. This fund

consists of income from gaming revenue, grants, cigarette tax, and sales tax; some of which are restricted to specific

designated purposes. In 2016, the general fund outlays totaled $18.9 million and were allocated by tribal council as

outlined above.

Shooting Star Casino Financials

SSC Revenue

Payroll & Fringe

Net Income

EBITDA

Fiscal Year 2016

$111,822,957

$33,031,058

$9,062,735

$15,926,577

Fiscal Year 2015

$106,190,824

$32,342,989

$6,609,989

$12,987,039

Fiscal Year 2014

$103,821,100

$30,193,378

$10,074,149

$16,425,884

Revenue

Expenses

Fiscal Year 2016

$111,822,957

$102,949,245

Fiscal Year 2015

$106,190,824

$99,711,369

Fiscal Year 2014

$103,821,100

$93,761,696

Programs and Services Directory

Behavioral Health

218-983-3286

Men’s Acute Care Facility

218-936-5830

Circle Back Center

218-983-3285 ext 6402

Mental Health

218-983-3286

Oshki Manidoo 218-751-6553

Substance Abuse

218-983-3286 ext 1297

Women’s Wellbriety Facility

218-751-6553 ext 6202

MOMs Program 218-936-2442

Urban MOMs Program

612-872-8208

MAT Program 218-983-3286

Urban MAT Program

612-872-8208

WESA 218-983-3286

Urban WESA 612-872-8208

Juvenile Wellness 218-983-3026

Indian Child Welfare

218-983-4647

Mental Health

218-983-3285 ext 1284

Dreamcatcher Home Services

218-983-3011

Business Enterprises

White Earth Builders

218-473-2145

White Earth Building Supply

218-473-2145

White Earth Business Products

218-473-2146

White Earth Sanitation

218-473-3222

White Earth Market

218-936-3112

Compliance

218-935-2148

Economic Development

218-983-4640

Gizhiigin 218-936-3100

Education 218-983-4642

Circle of Life Academy

218-983-4180

Early Intervention Program

218-983-3285 ext 5306

Head Start

218-983-3285 ext 1353

MSUM/White Earth

University Program

218-983-3285 ext 5301

Scholarships 218-983-4642

White Earth Child Care

218-983-3285 ext 1380

Boys & Girls Clubs

Callaway 218-375-2220

Elbow Lake

218-734-2419

Mahnomen 218-936-6010

Naytahwaush 218-935-5554

Pine Point

218-573-3328

Rice Lake

218-694-3539

White Earth

218-983-3174

Energy Assistance Program

218-473-2711

Enrollment & Vital Statistics

218-983-4643

Finance 218-983-4645

Health

218-983-3286

Community Health

218-983-3286

Elderly Nutrition

218-983-3286 ext 1266

Diabetes Project

218-983-3286 ext 1356

Health Education

218-983-3286 ext 1356

White Earth Ambulance

218-983-3286 ext 1263

Human Resources 218-983-4646

Human Services

218-935-5554

DOVE 218-983-4656

Employment and Training

218-935-5554

Food Distribution

218-935-2233

Homeless Program

218-983-5554 ext 3263

Resource & Support

218-935-5554

Vocational Rehab

218-935-5554

Housing 218-473-4663

Judicial Services

Child Support Enforcement

218-983-4641

Court 218-983-4648

Legal 218-983-4649

Marketing and Communications

Public Relations/Newspaper

218-983-3285 ext 5903

Natural Resources 218-935-2488

Conservation 218-935-2578

Emergency Management

218-935-2488

Environmental Affairs

218-935-2488

Fisheries 218-573-3007

Forestry 218-935-5967

Invasive Species

218-935-2488

Land Office

218-983-4650

Pesticides 218-935-2488

Underground Storage Tanks

218-935-2488

Water Quality

218-935-2488

Wetlands/Prairie Restoration

218-935-2488 ext 2102

Wildlife

218-935-2488 ext 2102

Zoning/Land

218-983-3285 ext 5800

Public Works

218-983-3202

Fleet 218-983-3292

Transit 218-983-3283

Water & Sewer

218-983-3202

Veterans Service Office

218-983-3285 ext 5904

White Earth Land Settlement

218-751-6619

Weatherization Program

218-473-4663

White Earth Public Safety

218-983-4651

Crime and Elder Abuse Tip Line

877-410-8550

Dispatch 218-983-3263

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.