Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Relatives confirmed that 17-year-old Dylon Oothoudt of Walker was the male found dead Sept. 13, 2026, in a Cass Lake yard. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wound.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake.

Officials found a male dead in the yard of a residence in Pike Bay Township on Sept. 13, 2026. The Cass County Sheriff's Office, Leech Lake Tribal Police and other agencies are investigating.

Marla Mesarina is from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. She is co-president of the UNITY.

The early season has been marked with low water levels, cool spells and storm damage.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Niishooshimeyag Wigwam Bena Shelter on Aug 26, 2026.

Recent testing found elevated levels of the bacteria, which can cause illness if ingested. Leech Lake Division of Resource Management issued a warning Aug. 12, 2026.

Bryan v. Itasca County paved the way for the modern tribal gaming industry. The monument recognizes Leech Lake Band member Helen Bryan and her husband, Russell Bryan.

Community members and dancers provided a healing space for the grieving family of Rikki Skog, 37, whose body was found July 16, 2026, under suspicious circumstances.

The location of the July 6, 2026, incident is an area commonly used as a swimming beach, and the woman was reportedly swimming at the time.