Federal Land Transferred and Returned to Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

 

Written by: Harrison Kulak

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/watersheds/leech-lake-river

The focus of this blog is intended to inform the reader on the exploitation of property of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribe. The Leech Lake native American tribe located in north central Minnesota in Cass County. Leech Lake is comprised with forests and lakes, swampy terrain, pine trees, and streams. Leech lake is known for producing rice. Today, the reservation sits under water, and the government owns much of the property. According to Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe website, the county, state, and federal government owns more than half of the original land. The current estimate of the number that live in Leech Lake is around 10,000 people.

In the 1940’s and 50’s the land in the Chippewa National Forest was taken from the Leech Lake tribe. The ‘so called players’ in the history of land in Leech Lake include it’s members, the government, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What really began the loss of land dates back to the 1800’s, when the government took 530,00 acres from the tribe. Then, in 1948 the Bureau of Indian Affairs misinterpreted an order and sold tribal allotments with the tribe’s consent. The Bureau of Indian Affairs thought they had the authority to sell the land without consent of the tribe. This land belonged to the tribe and amounted to more than 11,000 acres. For years, the Band of Ojibwe wanted the land back, but this could only be done through legislation or through congress.

In December of 2020, The US House of Representatives passed the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Act, in which the tribe will receive 11,670 acres that was wrongfully taken from them 70 years ago. The bill initially began in 2018, however, it failed. A year later, in 2019, The Band of Ojibwe passed the bill in the House of Representatives. One could wonder why it took so long for the government to intervene.

This bill is beneficial for both sides. The Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Act is beneficial for the government to bridge ties between the indigenous people and the representatives who represent our country. For so many years, the natives were mistreated, and it is encouraging to see a representation take an interest in the community and giving back what is belonged to the Leech lake community. The Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Act is beneficial for Leech Lake because it provides a space to build their community and a place to put new homes. Restoring their homeland is important during time as we are amongst a pandemic, and chairman Jackson stated that this is an urgent need. The bill also provides the Lake Leech community a sense of justice for all the years they have been fighting to get back. US Representative Betty McCollum who supported the bill stated, “the land will not only honor Tribal sovereignty, but will allow the Leech Lake Band to invest in future generations and build more housing to accommodate the growing community” (Turtinen). I find this quote from Betty McCollum to be impactful because she is speaking about the culture of Leech Lake residents.

I am fascinated about the situation the Leech Lake is in. For hundreds of years, whites in North America have mistreated the natives and have destroyed communities. Leech Lake is in an interesting situation where they are trying to grow and expand their community. Shouldn’t we, the United States, let the Leech Lake have this land so they can grow their community? The residents in the community are descendants of the natives and the Reservation Restoration Act can help create a culture amongst this community. LeRoy Fairbanks, a member of Leech Lake Tribal Council states, “rebuilding and legitimizing tribal governments is a huge part of reclaiming what we are and who we are. Land is a big part of who we are. Land is culture” (Bierschbach). Cultural relativism impacted the Leech Lake community was their land. The land belonged to their ancestors and it was wrongfully taken away from them. US Representative Betty McCollum states, “It’s a civil rights issue. It is an acknowledgement that what the federal government did to the Leech Lake Band was wrong. This is wrong, and this is an opportunity to right that wrong” (Bierschbach).

The outcome of S.199, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act bill was passed by the House of Representatives and signed by President Trump. On December 23, 2020, the Act was signed, granting 11,760 acres of identified federal land in the Chippewa National Forest. The Band of Ojibwe is working with federal officials with drawing the boundaries of the land. This process is challenging because much of the land within the reservation is covered in lakes, streams, wetlands, and forests. The tribe is excited to see their land returned to them. Aside from building houses, the tribe has no official plans as to what they would like to do with the land. The positive takeaway from this current event is that the federal government is taking a significant step toward addressing injustice towards Native peoples and their right to the land. 

Sources:

LakelandPTV. “Over 11,000 Acres of Land to Be Returned to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Dec. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXGD2eK8Wnw.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, www.llojibwe.org/.

Smith, Tina. “S.199 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act.” Congress.gov, 23 Dec. 2020, www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/199.

Walker, Dalton. “Restoring the Leech Lake Homelands.” Indian Country Today, Indian Country Today, 4 Dec. 2020, indiancountrytoday.com/news/restoring-the-leech-lake-homelands?redir=1.

Turtinen, Melissa. “11,760 Acres of Land Wrongly Taken from Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Will Be Returned.” Bring Me The News, Bring Me The News, 4 Dec. 2020, bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/11760-acres-of-land-wrongly-taken-from-leech-lake-band-of-ojibwe-will-be-returned.

Olson, Hannah. “Congress Approves Returning 11,000 Acres of Ill-Gotten Land to Leech Lake Reservation.” Twin Cities, Twin Cities, 10 Dec. 2020, www.twincities.com/2020/12/09/congress-approves-returning-11000-acres-of-ill-gotten-land-to-leech-lake-reservation/.

Bierschbach, Briana. “'Land Is Culture': Measure Could Restore Nearly 12,000 Acres of Leech Lake Land.” Star Tribune, Star                 Tribune, 7 Dec. 2020, www.startribune.com/measure-will-restore-nearly-12-000-acres-of-leech-lake-                                land/573311681/?    refresh