CASS LAKE — Tuesday marks the primary election in most races for Minnesota Chippewa tribal members.
Representing more than 41,000 tribal members — with White Earth the largest at 18,449 — Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, or MCT, includes five more reservations: Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Fond du Lac, Bois Forte and Grand Portage.
MCT tribal councils include a chair, a secretary/treasurer and district representatives.
If there are more than two candidates in any race, the April 2 election will serve as a primary, with the top two vote getters moving forward to the general election on June 11.
Polling places will be open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., with absentee voting available to tribal members who don’t live on the reservation but have declared a district.
The Red Lake Nation’s tribal election will be May 15, per its unique constitution.
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The first of two Native American Heritage Nights Jan. 20, 2026, included drumming, dancing and an Ojibwe-language broadcast. The second is Jan. 30 against Grand Rapids.
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Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander and Clearwater County Sheriff Darin Halverson recently announced they wouldn't seek reelection in 2026.
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Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is Friday.
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Permits are needed to visit the Boundary Waters in May through September. The Superior National Forest encourages planning your backcountry trip and only reserving permits you can use.
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The area is located in the Rainy River Watershed, next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and contains deposits of copper, nickel and cobalt.
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The Nisswa City Council advised its attorney in December 2025 to draft a resolution censuring Mayor Jennifer Carnahan, which passed unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026.
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Citing the killing of Renee Good by federal agent Jonathan Ross, the “ICE Out” day organizers say the general strike is intended to be a day of nonviolent reflection.
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And: The Baxter City Council opposes MnDOT's plans for the Highway 371/210 intersection; and Rock Ridge hosts the first-ever high school broadcast in Ojibwe.
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Wind chills or "feels like" temperatures could range between 30 and 60 degrees below zero Jan. 22-25, 2026.