VERMILION RESERVATION- Tribal Vice-Chair Shane Drift didn’t have answers for tribal members concerned about possible cuts in federal funding, but he did describe the efforts tribal leaders are making to ensure Bois Forte is in a position to serve its community in the year ahead.
Drift, a District 1 representative, was named acting tribal chair after the retirement of Cathy Chavers at the end of January. Tribal elections have been set for this spring, with an April 17 primary to winnow down the six candidates. The top two primary vote-getters will square off in a general election set for June 17. Candidates for the seat include Peter “Chief” Boney, Marty J. Connor, Carlos A. Hernandez, Rhonda Hoaglund, Mildred R. Holmes, and Travis Morrison.
“This is an unpredictable and tough time,” Drift said, speaking during the March 1 “State of the Band” event at Fortune Bay. The day-long event featured information booths and networking opportunities with tribal departments, a financial update for band members, and then the afternoon presentation by tribal officials followed by a buffet dinner in the Woodlands Ballroom.
Drift said he has been seeing all the concerns expressed by tribal members and employees on social media. He said the tribal council was relieved to see that the threatened freeze on federal funding for the tribe did not happen, at least not yet. “But we are still monitoring the situation,” he said. Drift said he has been pushing the council to build up tribal reserves since he was first elected back in 2018, and he said this was something the council needed to continue to work on.
On a more optimistic note, Drift talked about the opening of the new cannabis dispensary, Ishkode, located on the grounds of Fortune Bay. The dispensary opened its doors on Feb. 28, and Drift reported the business recorded $15,000 in sales its first day.
“I’ve always believed in the cannabis business,” he said. The band is not growing their own product but is purchasing from other tribal growing operations in Minnesota. Drift estimated it would cost $7-$8 million to set up a growing operation. It cost around $2 million to get the dispensary up and running.
“Cannabis business is our future,” Drift said. “It is a huge game-changer for our band.”
Drift said the band needs to use profits from the dispensary wisely, and said they are looking at opening an off-site dispensary at the Nett Lake Convenience Store, which could potentially make that business profitable. Right now, the convenience store is subsidized with profits from Fortune Bay, he said.
Drift highlighted other issues as well, including the tribal council’s lobbying at the state level to preserve the increased 1854 treaty payments, begun in 2023, that expire this year. They are also working with the state to make sure tribal interests are part of a taxing agreement for helium mining, which isn’t part of the current mineral royalty tax system and not covered in the 1854 treaty. They’re also concerned about a reduction in tax payments for land stewardship that are helping the tribe repay its loan for its recent purchase of 28,000 acres of land.
Drift also discussed ways the band needs to continue working to preserve their language and culture. He would like to see the band build two round houses, one in Nett Lake and one in Vermilion, to use for ceremonies and gatherings.
“We need to bring back our traditional ways,” he said.
Drift talked about recent tragedies and deaths of band members.
“It’s been a hard year,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of our band members passing away.”
The State of the Band was originally set to be held earlier this winter but was rescheduled due to a death of a band member.
He also talked about a personal loss, the death of his significant other, Christina Premo Hujanen, who lost a long battle with cancer last year.
“She helped me become a better man, father, boyfriend, leader, and writer,” he said.
“We need to be holding healing ceremonies and talking circles,” Drift said. “A chance to come together, to grieve together, and heal together.”
The State of the Band was opened by Miranda Lilya, the newly promoted executive director for Bois Forte. She talked about her background in tribal government, starting back in 1997 working as a background investigator, then working in human resources and the judicial services. Lilya introduced some of the many people working as senior managers for the band.
Drew Ebert, CEO of Bois Forte Development Corporation, spoke about the process of opening up the new dispensary, building an entirely new business from scratch in six months.
“We have built a strong foundation for success,” he said, and playing off the name Ishkode, which means “fire” in Ojibwe, “This business will be igniting new opportunities. There is no limit to what we can achieve.”
Melissa Wright, the judicial services director, talked about how the band was modernizing and digitizing its court records, contributing to national databases, and developing a strategic plan. She said the band is holding more community notification meetings regarding sex offenders. They are also collaborating with substance abuse and mental health providers, noting that many who come in contact with judicial services have underlying needs.
“We are working on a more holistic approach,” she said.
The department will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its judicial court on May 22, and will be dedicating the courtroom in Nett Lake to Lucille Morrison, who was the court clerk for 34 years.
District 1 representative Perry Drift talked about the reasons he ran for office, including the preservation of wild rice, the Ojibwe language, and the band’s land, as well as a desire to make the band’s businesses successful.
“Everything around us is spiritual,” he said, and then directing his talk to the younger band members in the audience, “Follow your dreams, believe in yourself, learn your language, and get that degree.”
Perry will be traveling to Washington, D.C. next month to speak on behalf of Bois Forte.
“This administration is attacking us,” he said. “They are seeing what they can take.”
Perry said the band must persevere. “We didn’t know they could take our funding,” he said. “We need to get back to our old ways.”
Secretary-Treasurer Tara Geshick thanked all those attending the event.
“Seeing our elders congregate on this special day means the world to me,” she said.
She talked about progress made during 2024 and said that Bois Forte “can be on the cusp of greatness in 2025.”
She said the band has been updating software, getting caught up with its financial auditing, and is looking at a potential source of federal funding that would cover the cost of maintaining the band’s 20 buildings.
Geshick said new guidelines are being put in place regarding the purchase of existing businesses by the band to make sure they are profitable and that their land can be put into trust.
She said the band is creating a plan in case federal funding is cut.
“We must all unite and come together for the common goal of growth and prosperity,” she said. “We must focus on standing with other Minnesota tribes and never waive our sovereignty.”