Today, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) announced major progress in their land restoration efforts as part of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act.
The head of the U.S. Forest Service signed a Decision Memo, initiating the transfer of approximately 11,760 acres of federally managed land within the Chippewa National Forest (CNF) into trust for the LLBO.
The lands, originally seized through illegal transfers, are being returned after years of dedicated advocacy by the LLBO. The recent decision concerns 345 restoration plots, with a total area of 11,778.13 hectares. According to the tribe’s statement, next steps include publishing legal briefs in the Federal Register to formalize the land transfer process.
Faron Jackson Sr., chairman of the LLBO, said in a statement that this move was one of the most significant positive developments for the tribe since the original treaties were signed and the reservation was established in 1855.
“It is with immense joy and hope for our future that we celebrate this important step in the recovery of our illegally transferred lands,” said Jackson Sr. in a statement. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the Forest Service and our tribal staff for their efforts to make this land transfer a reality.
For more than a century, the Leech Lake people have worked tirelessly to reclaim their ancestral lands. The tribe says the restoration will not only address critical housing needs, but also improve access to wild rice fields and restore justice to the community.
Created by treaties and executive orders in the mid-19th century, the Leech Lake Reservation was intended to be a permanent home for the Ojibwe people, who had ceded millions of acres to form what is now Minnesota. However, subsequent laws, beginning with the Nelson Act of 1889 and continuing with the creation of the Chippewa National Forest and “Secretarial Transfers” in the 1940s and 1950s, resulted in significant land loss and displacement.
This loss has had lasting consequences, perpetuating historical trauma and resentment toward federal agencies and exacerbating social problems such as homelessness and overcrowding. Currently, less than 5% of the lands guaranteed by the treaty are still under management.
The signing of the Decision Memo culminates decades of effort and advocacy, reaffirming the rights of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and restoring a vital connection to their ancestral lands. This achievement is a significant step forward in addressing the social inequalities and injustices faced by the Leech Lake people.
A commemoration ceremony to celebrate this historic land restoration will take place on July 17, 2024, beginning at 11:00 AM at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School (15353 Silver Eagle Dr NW, Bena, MN 56626). The public is invited to attend and participate in the celebration.
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