Tribal leaders clarify smaller leased Bemidji IHS office space is DOGE target

BEMIDJI — As the new Department of Government Efficiency’s “Wall of Receipts” keeps changing, the Leech Lake Band offered additional clarity into the proposed lease cancellation for Bemidji Indian Health Service.

The Bemidji area’s main IHS office, shared with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Bemidji’s technology park, does not appear to be the target of the current administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe issued a statement Wednesday, March 12, confirming the IHS lease cancellation is being considered for different office space in Bemidji.

"We have been in communication with IHS leadership to verify the facts surrounding this situation," read the Leech Lake statement. "Based on information we have received, the reported lease cancellation is not connected to the main IHS Bemidji Area Office but rather to one of their other office locations in Bemidji."

DOGE listed “Bemidji-IHS office” with an annual lease of $134,000 for nearly 5,000 square feet of office space. In addition to the technology park location, IHS also leases an office in a medical strip mall near downtown Bemidji.

The statement said Leech Lake does not anticipate any interruptions in health care services for band members, but the band will continue to monitor the proposed lease termination.

"Leech Lake leadership remains steadfast in its commitment to holding the federal government accountable for its healthcare obligations," the release stated.

"We will continue to advocate and lobby to not only protect these vital services but to expand and enhance healthcare resources for Band members now and into the future."

Bemidji Area IHS serves 34 federally recognized tribes in the Midwest. Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith recently penned a letter demanding answers into the proposed lease cancellations.