歪歪漫画

CASS LAKE 鈥� The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is on its way to regaining over 11,000 acres of land from the Chippewa National Forest into its tribal boundaries under the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act.

According to a release, this legislation 鈥� enacted in December 2020 鈥� has been a crucial step in addressing historical injustices faced by the band.

鈥淭hese lands, wrongfully taken through illegal transfers, are now being restored after generations of effort by the band,鈥� the release said.

Additionally, of 2023 was introduced in March 2023 to make note of an additional 4,362 acres to be transferred to the band.

Following by U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Tony Dixon, 345 parcels of land totaling 11,778.13 acres will be transferred to Leech Lake. Next steps include the publication of legal descriptions in the National Register formalizing the land transfer process, expected on June 28.

鈥淚t is with great joy and hope for the future in our hearts that we celebrate the latest step forward in restoring a portion of the illegally transferred lands back to the Leech Lake Ojibwe,鈥� Leech Lake Chairman Faron Jackson Sr. said in the release. 鈥淥n behalf of the Band, I want to express my gratitude to the Forest Service and tribal staff collaborating behind the scenes to move this land transfer toward completion.

鈥淭his is one of the most monumental and positive developments to take place on Leech Lake since the first treaties were signed and the reservation was established in 1855.鈥�

Representatives from the Chippewa National Forest and Leech Lake Band jointly identified land parcels to be transferred with an intent to limit fragmentation of ownership boundaries while honoring private property rights.

The legislation鈥檚 language made provisions for honoring any existing private property rights such as easements, permits and other encumbrances.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a pleasure and an honor to work with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as we implement the Reservation Restoration Act to transfer back approximately 11,778 acres to this sovereign nation,鈥� Chippewa Forest Supervisor Michael Stansberry said. 鈥淲e understand the importance the land holds to the Band and will continue to work with the Band as we move through this process.鈥�

A commemorative ceremony recognizing the land restoration will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig 歪歪漫画 in Bena. This is open to the public.

More detailed information about the land transfer and the Decision Memo can be found on the