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   CASS LAKE — The Cass County Board of Commissioners and the Leech Lake Tribal Council met for their annual joint meeting Friday, Jan. 31 at Cedar Lakes Event Center in Cass Lake, with several department heads from both the county and band giving annual updates.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson mentioned there has been a Memorandum of Understanding between Cass County and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) which expired the end of 2024. Therefore, an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding was approved and signed at the end of the meeting for another five years. The purpose of the memorandum is to provide a framework for cooperation, with all departments stating the memorandum has been working well.

Cass County and LLBO Extend MOU

Cass County Board of Commissioners and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding created back in 2014 for another five years during their joint meeting Friday, Jan. 31. Pictured L to R: Commissioner Bob Kangas, District III Representative Leon Staples, Commissioner Scott Bruns, Cass County Board Chair Rick Haaland, Secretary/Treasurer Leonard Fineday, Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk, Chairman Faron Jackson Sr., and District II Representative Steve White. Photo by Josh Stevenson.

   Tribal Court Judge Rebecca J. McConkey-Greene, State District Court Judges Jana Austad and Christopher Strandlie, County Attorney Ben Lindstrom, Probation Director Jim Schneider and other department staff presented an update for the Judiciary and Legal departments. The two departments plan on continuing to work on many juvenile programs along with the continued development of a Civil Commitment Code and Services. Lindstrom mentioned Zoom meetings continue to be an asset as they assist in transportation barriers for many people. 

   It was also shared with an extremely high amount of mental health issues and the lack of services, the recent opening of Northern Pines Mental Health Center has been extremely helpful in getting people the help they need. 

   In a roads and trails update, LLBO Roads Director Lori Allen and Cass County Engineer Darrick Anderson both spoke on the status of joint projects and the collaboration on grant applications. Anderson shared his appreciation for the assistance of Chairman Faron Jackson, Sr. and other LLBO staff in the completion and reopening of County State Aid Highway 37 (Aw Gwah Ching Road). It was also noted there are numerous upcoming joint construction projects for 2025 with the majority of them in the Cass Lake area. The LLBO and County are also continuing their partnership to develop a noxious weed control program within reservation on County Highways.

   Tribal Police Chief Ken Washington and Sheriff Bryan Welk were both at the meeting stating that the departments have been working well together. Sheriff Welk then acknowledged the dedication and wished Chief Washington well on his retirement.  Sheriff Welk stated he has learned a lot from Chief Washington over the years they have worked together. The new Tribal Police Chief, Michael Robinson, Jr., was introduced during the meeting with Robinson stating he had some big shoes to fill and has been trying to learn as much as possible before Chief Washington retires.

   An update on the E911 house number replacement was given by stating it is an ongoing process with the addition of new roads. Chief Washington also stated the departments are working on completing a cooperative memorandum of understanding to replace the existing cooperative law enforcement agreement. This would expand beyond Cass County and LLBO to other surrounding counties LLBO lies within. 

   Topics discussed concerning the human services and public health update included  information regarding building relationships while increasing coordination between the Crisis Response teams. Health Human Veteran Services Director Brian Buhmann shared the county staff has been attending Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) training and has hired an ICWA consultant to build relationships with all tribal partners and provide resources to staff. Buhmann also stated he is looking at finding a local mentor to teach staff about Indian traditions such as seven grandfather teachings, importance of ceremonies with sage, tobacco and cultural traditions as advocates for children and families.

   Buhmann then shared an update with the Opioid crisis and the settlement committee by stating recently some funds have gone to purchase a van for LLBO and a Lucas machine, which assists with CPR by doing automatic compressions, for first responders.

   Discussion concerning environment and land management was next on the agenda, with County Planner Scott Wold sharing the departments are meeting two times per year with the main goal between the two is environmental protection. Wold also shared the county has funds available to assist residents with failing septic systems. It was mentioned Wold would like to see the two departments review the solid waste agreement from Aug. 1, 2004 to see if any updates need to be made.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson wrapped up the meeting by sharing the request from LLBO for a one-day voting location at Cedar Lakes was a huge success with 105 voters participating, which was noted that was the most within the State for the one-day voting. Stevenson also shared collaboration on legislative priorities, workforce housing projects and on opioid settlement funded projects are continuing with success. These are also continued goals for the foreseeable future. Stevenson then stated staff and Judges have expressed the desire to meet twice per year for the joint meeting and to establish dates in advance to allow adjustment in their schedules. It was noted July and January of each year would be the best dates due to less conflict with holidays and hunting seasons. 

   Final words were given by all Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Council Members and County Commissioners, with the majority of them stating they are appreciative of the collaboration. 

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