White Earth Reservation Business Committee

White Earth Reservation Business Committee

Quarterly Meeting

October 25", 2024

Mahnomen, MN

Chairman Michael Fairbanks called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m., roll call was taken with a

quorum present.

Present: Michael Fairbanks, Chairman

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer

Henry Fox, District I Representative

Eugene Sommers, District II Representative

Laura Lee Erickson, District III Representative

Others Present: Laurie York, Executive Director

Curtis Rogers, Deputy Director

Ayecia Kemp, Recorder

Andrea Kingbird, General Counsel

Agenda Approval

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

Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

RBC Meeting Minutes (09/27/24)

Motion made Michael LaRoque to approve minutes; second by Laura Lee Erickson. Motion

carried 4 for, 0 against.

Reports

Michael Fairbanks, Chairman

Chairman Fairbanks gave update on attending MIAC, USFW & Tamarac, White Earth State

Forest, M.A.S.T (Midwest Alliance), Commissioner Consultations’, 4 Walts and MCT.

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer ~ Please see attachment

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

Sommers. Motion carried: 4 for, 0 against.

Secretary Treasurer LaRoque provided report and gave brief update on the 4" Quarter report

ending on September 30, 2024.

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Henry Fox, District I Representative

District Representative Fox gave brief report; Rice Lake CC is having their haunted woods this

weekend 6PM at St. Philips, Tiny Home apps are going through Optima.

Eugene Sommers, District ll Representative

District Representative Sommers gave brief report; August; rbc had swearing in new officers, wild

rice 6.50 Ibs. bear issues and trapped and release 20 bears, buffalo heard at old spencer farm.

Working with dept transportation is getting road work done. Drum hall, Riverland, Elk Horn Road,

Tribal Lots, D2 elder village still working on it. Discussion on ICWA, met with DHS at the Casino,

Billing BH and MH restrictions.

Sept; Sitting on two subcommittee. New property management instead of D.W Jones.

Oct; Wellness center secured land and the design, WETCC has a few things they’re adding,

Mahnomen overpass, Lot clean ups throughout the reservation. SSC did their update on section

five, working on bathroom remodel across from the deli, WETCC is going to be offering classes.

Cell Tower is up but not hooked up yet, they did run the fiber optics, and it will be early November

it will be up and working.

Laura Lee Erickson, District III Representative

District Representative Erickson gave brief report; Tribal Leaders and staff met with MN

Department of Human Services Commissioner Harpstead and staff. Topics included: mental

health restrictions/barriers, withdrawal management, state amendment plans. We will be having a

follow up meeting to discuss behavioral health topics. (CMS Center for Medicaid and Medicare

Services approves traditional healing demonstration for Arizona, New Mexico, California and

Oregon) this is big win for Indian country. MN Tribes have been advocating for this for several

years.

This is a step towards improving access to culturally appropriate healthcare and improving the

quality of care and health outcomes for tribal communities.

White Earth tribal leaders participated in the Inaugural Grand Council meeting at Lower Sioux.

Eleven Minnesota tribes joined forces to address the issues impacting Indian Country and to

strategize on collaborative solutions. Cannabis, water issues, land issues, wild rice

Consultation with MNPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler discussed air quality and climate

action. Solid waste, Mining permits, PFAS law changes.

Optima Property Management company. Currently, Optima manages four properties: Gwayako

Bimaadizi (Housing First Project) in Mahnomen, Giwanikimin in Naytahwaush, Dreamcatcher

Homes in Ogema, and Congregate in White Earth. Additionally, they will be assisting in

managing the tiny homes in Rice Lake, Naytahwaush, Pine Point, and White Earth. During the

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meeting, we discussed several important topics including property subsidies, pet policy, security,

tiny homes, and property budgets

Discussion withdrawal management, housing stabilization, mental health peer support,

traditional healing and 1115 waiver, Community Health Aid and Behavioral Health Aid

TEC meeting at Norther Lights Casino in Walker MN October 22 & 23

1 attended the Subcommittee and TEC meetings. Constitutional Delegates from each reservation

gave updates. Enrollment. | am Vice-Chair of the Finance Subcommittee. MCT offers different

loans: renovation housing loans, construction loans, home loans and business loans.

Phase 2 Home Repairs

ENP sites- the sites are reopening- anytime there is change it takes a little bit of time to bear with

our staff. They are doing best they can

Weatherization Applications are out. If you need plastic on your windows, please complete the

application. If you need one mailed to you or dropped off, please let me know.

Energy Assistance- funding should be in and distributed 2™ week in November

Drug Task Force meetings continue monthly

Suspicious activity-

I want to remind everyone about the importance of staying vigilant and reporting any suspicious

activity. If you notice anything unusual or potentially illegal, please report it immediately to the

appropriate authorities including our White Earth Tribal Police, Becker County Sheriff Office or

the Paul Bunyan Task force.

We are all in this together, and by looking for one another, we can help keep our community

safe. Your awareness and prompt action can make a significant difference.

For those who are, thank you for your commitment to keeping our community secure.

If you have ideas to share, send them to us or we can meet. I have my Facebook page.

Please check on your elders, family, friends. The Weather is changing, getting cooler. If you are

concerned about someone, let me or someone know. If you haven’t seen someone for a while or

are concerned, let me or someone know so we can have someone go home. We have elder

advocates, programs, and my assistant Tiffany Swiers that can check in also

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or have questions

White Earth Council of Elders Updates

Tim Rindahl is present.

Looking for a storage unit, Mike LaRoque will reach out to Bernie to see where he got is storage

at. Elder’s Picnic, Health Fair in NTW. Coleen gave a brief update on their balance.

Michael Fairbanks stepped away from meeting at 10:29 a.m.

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Sam brought up a concern on having Becker or White Earth PD being in Pine Point area. I spoke

with Todd Glander about the speeding issue. Catholic church is having new siding put up due to

vandalism. Next meeting is in Rice Lake. Mike LaRoque said Laurie will connect with Merlin

about the Pine Point concerns and issues that she will address with Merlin.

Michael Fairbanks came back in meeting at 10:43 a.m.

Optima will be doing the applications but there will be a board who oversees it.

White Earth Elders Commission Updates

Francine Day is present.

Each commission has picked departments and speak with the departments about information and

share it with the elder’s, set back is a lot of elders don’t have internet access and get to them such

as visiting. New members are Missy Fairbanks, Loralie Morales, and Stella Divine. Worked on

budget and sent to Curtis. They attended MCT Meeting, Elder’s Commissioner’s meeting is on

Monday, October 28". Passing out food shelf applications to the elders, special meeting with

Veronica Newcomer and Christie Haverkamp, worked on the new bylaws. Met with Mike Heisler

on Housing and discussed about elders. Vacant lots around the reservation and speak with the land

office.

Program Updates

White Earth Housing Authority

Michael Heisler is present.

It has been a busy few months with internal operations preparing for the winter months and

audit. W.E.H.A hosted a crime safety prevention fair in Waubun at the end of August. This was a

big success, we had 415 registered attendees and heard nothing but good things we plan to

continue doing this yearly to engage the community in positive activities. WEHA is working on

getting plows installed on our new trucks to ensure our housing elders will get proper snow

removal this upcoming winter. WEHA is working on improving our communication with our

tenants by getting out in the communities more with our tenant services staff. WEHA continues

to hold Preventive maintenance classes which I feel are going well but we are receiving mixed

reviews of our surveys. WEHA recently sent out surveys to our Riverland tenant asking a few

questions. With our tenants’ help we are looking to improve the quality of life at Riverland.

Housing program updates

e SHORP’s NTW siding/windows/sofit/fascia/entry doors/roofs scheduled to be complete

by the end of December

A new Housing Data system is now operating to improve our work order documentation.

Riverland and Round house cameras are now operational and available to view at

surveillance and soon WEPD offices.

e HHP- Planned Roofing in White Earth/ Callaway/ Elbow

ARPA- Working with White Earh Builders/ Land/ City/ Environmental/Water and sewer

to get this project rolling

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¢ FHLB- Plan on adding new furnaces and appliances

¢ MHFA Single Family Homeowner grant- Applied for this summer it is Planned to hear

back by the end of December

¢ Continuing Employee Trainings for all staff

Vacant Units

Callaway — 0, White Earth — 0, Elbow Lake — 1, Naytahwaush — 2, Riverland — 9

Rice Lake will have zero by the end of the month and Pine Point — 5 Currently working

on unit 7/8

White Earth Indian Health Services Updates

Agency Priorities Update

White Earth Service Unit 4th Qtr. FY24

Our Mission: To raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and

Alaska Natives to the highest level.

White Earth’s Purpose Statement: Healthy Generations of Anishinaabeg.

IHS Strategic Goals

IHS Strategic Plan Goal 1: To ensure that comprehensive, culturally appropriate personal

and public health services are available and accessible to American Indian and Alaska

Native people.

White Earth IHS meets bi-monthly with our Tribal partners and Tribal Health Division. On

September 18", IHS hosted a cultural training provided by Rob Tibbetts at White Earth IHS

Clinic. An option to attend the training virtually was available for employees who could not

make the in-person event. During the training, the White Earth Clinic was closed in the morning

so that as many staff as possible could attend the in-person training. The Clinic reopened at Ipm

for patient care after the training.

With the expansion of the White Earth Clinic nearing completion, IHS also re-started the Art

Committee and will start displaying our beautiful artwork at the WESU again. This will include

the Veterans Wall by Pete Fairbanks and Budd Parker. They will be adding a Female Veterans

Wall memorializing the contributions of our Anishinaabeg Female Veterans as well.

Beautiful artwork by our talented local native artists is also displayed in display cases throughout

our Waabinokwe Health Center. The art hanging on the wall in the Waiting Area was created by

one of White Earth’s very own artists, Kent Estey, who is from the village of Naytahwaush. The

blues found on the exterior of the Waabinoke Health Center represent North Twin Lake and the

people’s relationship with water. The interior colors are neutral and warm to bring nature inside

and provide a relaxing environment for people receiving healthcare.

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Both the White Earth and Naytahwaush Clinics host Tribal Behavioral Health Programs in their

facilities. These programs provide services for all community members, Tribal and IHS Staff.

In addition to behavioral health services, Anishinaabe Energy Healing and Plant Medicines are

offered as well as traditional practices, sound healing, breathwork, and guided meditation.

IHS Strategic Plan Goal 2: To promote excellence and quality through innovation of the

Indian health system into an optimally performing organization.

Promoting excellence and quality through innovation drives efforts to improve access to quality

care at the White Earth Service Unit (WESU). Improving healthcare delivery, patient outcomes

and overall efficiency within our facilities is always one of our top priorities. The adoption of

innovative technologies and practices is essential for driving progress in healthcare and

addressing the evolving needs of patients within the IHS system.

WESU has 100% completion for all required training for new and current staff. To ensure staff

have the opportunity to fulfill these requirements, leadership worked to schedule time weekly to

minimize impact on patient care activities and promote time management. Investing in our staff

supports knowledge, competency, and skills to provide a pathway to excellence and quality for

our patients.

The WESU is accredited by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

To achieve this accreditation, we follow Dental and Medical Home Models that align with these

five pillars: 1. Understanding and Collaboration, 2. Accessibility, 3. Comprehensiveness of Care,

4. Continuity of Care, and 5. Quality. Rethinking the structure of our medical and dental teams

has supported these models and our ability to improve overall access and improved healthcare

outcomes.

We are working to better assess the quality of patient experience at our facilities using one

standardized patient experience survey. This electronic survey is based on the IHS national

patient experience survey. Unlike previous surveys, this one includes two specific access

questions to inform management of system-wide access issues.

Dental continues to identify and recruit qualified dental staff to our department. WESU recently

onboarded two new dentists which is very exciting. Dr. Cumba works to ensure same day access

for patients seeking care for urgent situations. We are accommodating 90% of same day access

in the dental department. Pine Point Clinic is open one day per month. We will expand for more

days once staff is onboard and trained. We are looking at ways to improve the overall process of

providing dentures and crowns through our dental department. With much guidance from Dr.

Cumba, our leadership team recently approved the purchase of 3D printing equipment to produce

crowns and dentures for both the White Earth and Naytahwaush Dental Clinics. The

advancement of three-dimensional printing in dentistry offers a more efficient, cost-effective,

and innovative approach to dental treatments, paving the way for complex, customized solutions

that traditional methods cannot achieve. For example, prior to 3D printing, a patient would have

to sit through multiple dental appointments over a long period of time to get dentures; now not

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only can the patient have them the same day, but the dentures are more accurate through the 3D

process because these dentures do not compress soft gum tissue.

We also recently approved the purchase of MagView Software for our Mammography

Department. Our mammography departments need the ability to provide standardized reporting,

outcome monitoring, patient tracking in an efficient way that saves time and resources. There are

many benefits to this software such as generating specific reminders and letters for patients who

are due for a mammogram and notifies staff when patients need to return for follow-up; informs

and educates patients about tissue density, potential breast cancer risk factors, and options for

return visits.

The Weight Management Clinic for both pediatrics and adults continues to see success in health

outcomes through lifestyle changes as interest in this clinic continues to grow.

Two dedicated and outstanding providers of the Naytahwaush (NTW) Clinic will be joined by a

third permanent provider in October. Orthopedic services are currently being provided at NTW

facility due to the final phase of the remodel of White Earth. Radiology, including

mammography services, have relocated back to NTW.

Currently, we are carefully recruiting for a Clinical Director for our service unit. We want to be

certain the candidate is a proper fit for our service unit.

IHS Strategic Plan Goal 3: To strengthen IHS program management and operations.

White Earth Service Unit continues to set the bar high with quality and innovation seen

throughout our daily operations and patient interactions. WESU has taken a deeper look at

overall operations which starts before the patient enters our facility and continues after the

patient is discharged from their primary care visit. Managers/supervisors present monthly

operations report, which helps department managers focus on accreditation and revenue

generation processes specific to their departments. For Medical and Dental, the Patient-Centered

Medical Home is the ideal avenue for quality improvement activities. Non-clinical departments

address methods to lessen or eliminate the eight wastes in healthcare. We ensure that HHS,

Surgeon General, and IHS strategic goals are identified as projects and objectives are developed

and cascaded from the Agency priorities.

The WESU Executive Leadership Team continues to utilize a Quality Management approach

that emphasizes a focus on sustainability as a key to achieving healthcare excellence. One of

WESU’s primary improvement projects has been improved access to medical and dental

appointments. The innovation of WESU Leadership and the Area office implemented several

contracts to ensure improved access to primary care, internal medicine, weight management,

pediatrics weight management, and dental care. Extending provider schedules out to 3 months

has had a very positive impact on overall access and same day availability. Dental has

implemented a plan of care for each patient and establishes a return appointment date before the

patient leaves the department.

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PRC has been working to improve relationships with outside vendors. We have an area

consultant present at White Earth to help improve efficiency and implement necessary changes

within the PRC department for our patients as well as our vendors — this addition seems to be

helping. The PRC Program is receiving National IHS attention and dedication from leadership to

ensure there is adequate staffing and support for overall success, improvement, and

sustainability. If patients continue to receive bills or collect letters, please bring them to our PRC

staff. The new clinic provides space where patients can have a face-to-face visit with PRC staff.

We are committed to making the improvements necessary to address patient concerns. Thank

you for everyone’s continued patience and support!

I have an open-door policy, if you need to reach me, please stop by my office or in person or reach

me by phone (218) 983-6214

White Earth Tribal and Community College Updates

We are several weeks into our fall semester at the college. At the start of the term, we saw an

increase of 16% in our student enrollment. The student service department has been working

diligently on recruitment. The dean of academics and student services has updated the strategic

enrollment management plan — a lot of the strategies written into the plan are being utilized — and

this is why we have an uptick in the enrollment numbers. In the college’s July quarterly report, I

shared our prediction of an enrollment increase of 8%; we doubled this prediction.

We have our Higher Learning Commission (HLC) comprehensive evaluation visit slated for

October 28 and 29, 2024. This review will be conducted over two full days with the review team

at our location. The HLC writing team created and wrote the assurance argument document. The

HLC writing team entered the information, linked the evidence, and shared our evidence library

with the reviewers. The materials were submitted on September 25, 2024, for the reviewers to

peruse; the due date to submitting the materials was thirty days prior to the review.

We have 5 criterion areas we addressed and showcased in our assurance, and they are: 1. Mission

2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct 3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and

Support 4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement 5. Institutional Effectiveness,

Resources and Planning.

In addition to the HLC comprehensive evaluation, the college will have a federal compliance

review being conducted at the same time as the comprehensive evaluation. Due note, effective

September 1, 2024, HLC has updated their review process; the college will use this updated

process format in preparing for the review.

The federal compliance review is conducted by HLC to meet their requirement that all its member

institutions are meeting their Title IV program (Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational

Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work Study) responsibilities as well as complying with

the expectations of specific regulations accreditors must enforce as part of their recognition by the

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US Department of Education. I have attached the updated procedure HLC document for the

Federal Compliance Overview.

The Federal Student Aid Title IV Programs the college receives are:

e Pell Grant: The federal government guarantees that the college will receive enough money

to pay PELL to its eligible students.

e FSEOG: Each school receives a fixed amount of money to make FSEOG awards to eligible

students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Once this money is awarded, there

is no more for that academic year.

e Federal Work Study: It provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing

them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community

service work and work related to the student's course of study. Income from work-study

jobs do not get calculated by the college in the student’s aid offer with their total income

the following school year

HLC has selected the comprehensive evaluation team members. They are: Koreen Ressler, Chair,

from Sitting Bull College, Tamarah Pfeiffer, from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Mary

Pelcher, from Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, Michael Parker, from Pima County Community

College District, and David Rudden, from Elgin Community College.

HLC has selected the Federal Compliance Reviewer, Dr. Bin Ning, from Kansas State University.

We have facilities projects underway this academic year. We are excited that the college is growing

and expanding. Stay tuned for more updates as these exciting projects progress — we will be posting

updates to our college Facebook page.

Here is a list of the projects:

1. Phase IV Addition and Renovation to the main campus:

Expected Completion Date: August/ September 2025

2. Chemistry Lab Renovation

Expected Completion Date: Summer 2025

3. Deep Winter Green House

Expected Completion Date: Delayed, TBD

4. Solar Array

Completion Date: Summer 2024

5. Parking Lot Resurface

Expected Completion Date: Spring/Summer 2025

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6. Loading Dock Driveway Access

Expected Completion Date: Summer 2025

7. Medical Simulation Mobile Unit

Expected Completion Date: Winter 2025

8. Storage Garage

Expected Completion Date: Summer 2025

9. Lactation Pod

Expected Completion Date: TBD

10. Cubicle Offices

Expected Completion Date: Fall/Winter 2025

We continue to seek funding for the trades building to expand our technical programming at the

college. Once Minnesota congressional elections are complete, the college will seek a chief

author to draft a bill to seek funding for this building. The college is currently looking at

completing a feasibility study for this project. The college would like to expand our degree

options to offer the Construction Technology AAS degree program that would provide a highquality educational experience designed to prepare future focused professionals in the plumbing,

carpentry, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and solar construction

trades.

Meeting recessed at 11:13 a.m.

Meeting reconvened at 11:40 a.m.

Eugene Sommers stepped away from meeting at 11:40 a.m.

Community Council Updates

White Earth Urban

We had a bus trip to the inauguration in August. We had 31 members attend. In August, we got

backpacks from Mystic Lake Casino and did backpack giveaway. We had a lot of backpacks left

so one of our members, who is a counselor at a school, to the rest of the backpacks for the students

that needed them and didn’t have access to free backpacks near their community.

Our July family picnic was rescheduled to September 21, 2024. We partnered Chuck and Jen at

the Behavioral Health Urban Department. We purchased prizes and they also gave two TVs as

prizes. The food was catered by Fawn. We had around 157 members there.

We had received 10 bikes from Toys for Tots last December, but we decided it would be right to

gib e one child a nice bike and them others a gift work $5.

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We currently have three community council members on board, we sent a certified letter to get out

WEUCC assets and records back.

We started planning for our Pow Wow for next year and will be attending the Veteran’s Pow Wow

to see how they their Pow Wow. Planning family fall events, toys for tots and elder Christmas

party.

Elbow Lake

Laura Lee provided brief update on Elbow Lake playground, Halloween Party.

Iron Range

Louie Johannsen gave concerns on health and safety, trying to push programs for snow plowing

and lawn care. Few elders that are homebound and trying to get meals provided to them. Land that

was logged without permission and legal department has been working with us as well as hunting,

fishing and gathering rights. Event at timber lake lodge on October 30" for constitutional. Inviting

Tribal Leaders in either November or December.

Pine Point

Construction on playground completed.

Blinder for circle were ordered but on half was paid for. Blinders will be powered by batteries

and remote controlled. PPCC have to pay for labor.

Bleachers were constructed and place at Demo Derby site. Port-a-potty were received.

Working with the League of Women Voters on a possible voting polling site in the village for

November election.

Held the first of 3 Culture Camps in the village for the year on September 28". 81 people

registered in attendance. This is from a $18,000 grant from John Hopkins University, Indigenous

Health group in hosting culture camps in 2024, 2025 and 2026, a total of 6 camps. Stations

offered were:

Moccasin making — Mike Swan

drum making — Dayton Jones

tobacco making — Karen Jones

belt making — Neegonee Brunner

ribbon skirt/shirt making —Katie Robbins and Edie Smith

rattle making — Dawn Kier

Pipe Making demonstration — Pete Ellis

Tea’s and salve — Terri LaDuke

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It was requested that we look at a jingle dress workshop in the winter.

Biggest project this fall was reconstruction of the surface area in the arena at the pow wow

grounds. We wanted better grass for the dancers. The old sod was taken up and more black dirt

was placed down. The arena was then hydro seed and started watering for the grass take hold

before winter. Total project Cost $12,623.00. Miigwech to the donation committee, Health dept

and funds raised by Community Council and pow wow committee.

Future events in village: Truck or treat on Oct 27". Turkey bingo on November 23", Community

Christmas dinner and party on December 21.

Michael Fairbanks stepped away from meeting at 11:53 a.m.

Rice Lake

Henry Fox gave brief update; they help not only with community events, but with families with

food, clothing, and haunted drive through the woods this weekend.

Michael Fairbanks returned back in meeting at 11:56 a.m.

There are cameras at the Rice Lake Center, building is good unfortunately with funerals going on

at the center we have to close down departments at the center.

White Earth ~ Provided Report

e Bought 8 new picnic Tables, 6 will go to the new playground and 2 will be at the

center.

e Bought a new 16x20 canopy that will be built up at the new playground. (We have the

lumber stored)

e Bought 3 new Bouncy houses that will be only used and the center and can be rented for

Use at the center only, we will not rent them out for events outside the center.

¢ Our disc gold baskets were re-ordered and will be replaced this spring, old ones will go to

another program.

e WECC sent an email to District 3 Rep. Requesting a used computer from the RBC.

¢ WECC will send out forms for families to send back for 5 full Thanksgiving dinners.

¢ Wealso will be working on RBC Toy giveaway and started handing out forms. We will

be busy with that and planning our yearly Xmas party

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Old Business

Pesticides and Chemical Code Revision

August, we went to change the code and public comment, and made slight modifications based on

comments. Pesticide code is up for vote by Council. Amendment

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve the Pesticides and Chemical Code Revision

Amendment; second by Laura Lee Erickson. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Emergency Propane

Henry Fox.

Last year they gave us so much money for emergency help with propane, EAP won’t come in for

another 2-3 weeks. Henry’s budget is down, and it brought him under $1,000.00 and if we can put

more in the budget. Mike LaRoque said we have to look at the Elder Homeowner repair, waiting

for Tracy to get here. Brief discussion on taking a look at Henry’s budget. $10,000.00 in each of

our EAP Fund

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve additional $10,000.00; second by Henry Fox.

Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

New Business

Elder Gift Cards amount changed to $100.00

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve $100.00 Gift Cards for Elders; second by Laura Lee

Erickson. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Enrollments and Legal Department

Recognition of Red Lake Nation Blood for White Earth Nation Enrollment Eligibility Criteria.

Henry Fox read the letter that was provided.

The White Earth Reservation Business Committee hereby directs the above-named governmental

departments to research White Earth Nation recognition of Red Lake Blood for addition to the

white earth nations enrollment eligibility criteria.

The MCT constitution, Article 2, describes the requirement for membership as a person having

certain degree of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Indian Blood. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

ordinances limits eligibility to A person having a certain degree of blood from an of the six

Constituent Bands of the MCT. Recently another mct band determined the mct enrollment

ordinance is in conflict with the intent of the mct Constitution. Additionally, the red lake nation

enrollment office has worked cooperatively with this band to certify Indian blook.

Based upon this information the White Earth RBC approved its Enrollment and Legal Departments

to seek further information including from the met and red lake nation and report back to the RBC

with findings and recommendations.

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Tribal Leaders will review this for the next ten (10) days and have a special meeting within the

next two weeks.

Consent Agenda/ Signatory Request & Ratifications

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Consent Agenda/ Signatory Request &

Ratifications with additions and changes; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Ratification USDA Contract / Wild Rice

Motion made by Henry Fox by to go into Executive Session at 12:24 p.m.; second by Laura Lee

Erickson. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Meeting reconvened at 12:37 p.m.

Executive Session

Land

Sarah LaFriniere and Megan Bakken are present.

Homesites

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve with D2 Tabled 2 Homesites; second by Henry

Fox. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Residential

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Residential; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried:

3 for, 0 against.

Lakeshore

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Lakeshore with D2 Tabled 3 Lakeshore; second

by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Service Line Agreement

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Service Line Agreement; second by Laura Lee

Erickson. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Agriculture

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Agriculture; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried:

3 for, 0 against.

Business

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Business with D2 Tabled | Business; second by

Michael LaRoque. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

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Trail Permit

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Trail Permits with D2 Tabled 1 Trail Permit; second

by Laura Lee Erickson. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Other

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve a. second by Laura Lee Erickson. Motion

carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve Manly Parcel General Fund and WELSA Fund;

second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve St. Cloud Property; second by Michael LaRoque. Motion

carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to approve St. Cloud Building; second by Henry Fox. Motion

carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Bjerken Cabin Seal Bid, Raffle and Live Auction

Tribal Council tabled this.

Legal

Andrea Kingbird is present.

Proposed plan for LCCMR Grant and Stafford withdrawal notice

RBC is in consensus

Mississippi Pillager LLC /d/b/a White Earth Enterprise Operating Agreement Amendments and

Board Appointments

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve Mississippi Pillager LLC and Agreement

Amendments; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Cannabis Compact Termination Clause Discussion

Brief discussion was held on this.

Tabled Signatories

Renewal Business License

Tabled.

Page 15 of 16

10/25/2024

Intertribal Ag

Motion made by Henry Fox to approve Wade Jackson only; second by Michael LaRoque. Motion

carried: 3 for, 0 against,

MPCA

Motion made by Laura Lee Erickson to approve MPCA; second by Henry Fox. Motion carried: 3

for, 0 against.

Rice Lake

Tabled

Motion made by Michael LaRoque to adjourn meeting at 1:50 p.m.; second by Henry Fox. Motion

carried: 3 for, 0 against.

Michael LaRoque, Secretary/Treasurer

Page 16 of 16

10/25/2024

White Earth Tribal Council Quarterly Report

Secreta reasurer’s Report

Photo

Secreta reasurer

Michael LaRoque

Aanin Boozhoo

Greeting White Earth Members, | have the honor of serving as the Secreta reasurer position for

the White Earth Tribal Council and this is my 4th Quarter report ending September 30, 2024. Our Fiscal

year runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.

Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

Due to the fiscal year dates, the RBC must have a general fund budget in place by September 30, 2023.

This budget was approved by the Tribal Council and adopted by resolution on September 30, 2023. The

budget adopted accounts for revenues in the amount of 15.96 million which consists of State of MN Tax

revenue and expenditures in the amount of 22.46 million. These expenditures are incurred for

departments that operate more for the good of the band members than to make a profit. These include

education, public safety, general government, human services, public works, economic development,

and culture among others. This allows for a budget deficit of 6.34 million which will be funded by

distributions from the Shooting Star Casino. This deficit includes all capital expenses.

Fiscal Year 2024 4th Quarter

General Fund

This quarters FY24 budget for governmental activities ending June 30, 2023, is at $22.4 million with

expenses at $18.8 million with a balance of $3.6 million.

Gamin

Consolidated revenue for Mahnomen, Bagley, and all other gaming revenue for the 4th Fiscal Quarter of

FY2024, ending September 30, 2024, was $32.5 million. The consolidated expenses for the Quarter were

$26.9 million. Consolidated net income for the quarter was $5.6 million; Mahnomen is at $4.7 million,

and Bagley is at $882k.

The budget through the 3rd Fiscal Quarter was $110.8 million of revenue and $98.1 million in expenses

for a budgeted net income of $12.7 million for the first nine months of FY2024. YTD Revenue was $9.2

million higher than the budget while expenses were $2.6 million lower than budget resulting in net

income being $11.8 million higher than budget.

The Bagley Casino for the 3rd quarter ending September 30, 2023, earned $3.3 million in revenue with

expenditures of $2.4 million. Bagley Casino has a net income for the quarter of $882K.

Shooting Star Casino cash on hand on September 30, 2024, was $75.2 million. The cash on hand at the

close of the last fiscal year, September 30, 2023, was $77.2 million. After Shooting Star Casino capital

improvement spending and over $22.0 million distributions to the White Earth RBC, cash has increased

by $2.0 million during the first three quarters of the fiscal 2024.

The Unaudited preliminary numbers are subject to change as the numbers are finalized.

ARPA (Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund)

This quarter FY24 ARPA funds a cash balance of $16.3 million with $18.0 million in expenses with

revenues balance of $33.0 million.

Other Grant Funds

In this quarter of FY2024, we have recorded $60.9 million dollars in other grant funding while recording

$80.57 million in expenditures. The other grant funds consist of grants from Federal, State, and local

funding agencies. The funds are meant for a specific program, service, or activity and must be budgeted

as such.

Behavioral Health

In this quarter of FY2024, we have accounted for $40.2 million in revenue while recording $39.18 million

in expenditures. This leaves us with 1.2 million. The ending cash balance in Behavioral Health funds is

$51.1 million, in addition, there is an investment account of 15.0 million.

Youth and Elder Funds

The casino purchased twelve AGS machines, one-sixth of the gaming revenue from those machines

provide the funding for the Youth and Elder Fund. Six of those machines are in the casino on the back

wall near the Smoke Restaurant. The remaining six machines are in the middle of the northern portion

of the floor. All AGS machines on the casino gaming floor earn guest rewards points when playing with

their player card. (This is not the case with AGS machines offsites.) The funding in this program is

designed to help assist with costs associated with group activities supporting enrolled youth and elder

members of White Earth Nation. These donations are authorized by the Tribal Council.

In this quarter of FY24, we have $556,514 in revenue while recording $181,788 in expenditures. This

leaves us with a cash balance of $384,726.

| would also like to say that | have been holding all Divisions in line to stay within their approved budgets

or come in under these approved budgets. The last two years we have been under budget with no

budget amendments.

lam at the two-year mark of my term as Secretary/Treasurer, and | have always said that we need to

continue to move forward and secure our future for our next generations to come. | look forward to

continued success for the next two years of my term.

In closing | want to thank the members of the White Earth Nation for giving me this opportunity to serve

as the Secretary/Treasurer for this great nation. | look forward to moving forward with great progress

and optimism and | hope we can work together for a brighter future. Miigwech!

Michael J. LaRoque

Secretary-Treasurer