Tribal Government

The court ruled that cannabis possession by Thompson, as an enrolled member on the White Earth band living on the reservation, became a civil matter once MN legalized recreational marijuana.

The attorney general filed a federal lawsuit to end "Operation Metro Surge," tribal nations are waiving fees for new tribal IDs for their members and ICE has reportedly been spotted in Detroit Lakes.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is the sixth of Minnesota's 11 federally recognized tribes to sign a cannabis compact with the state of Minnesota.

The move is already underway, following the announcement on Nov. 18, 2025, amid continued efforts from the Trump administration to begin to dismantle the Department of Education.

A Roseau man made an emergency landing within Red Lake Nation on Oct. 15, 2025, and tribal authorities impounded his aircraft, citing a 1978 resolution prohibiting low-altitude flights.

Like all of Minnesota, Leech Lake is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought and extreme temperatures.

Impacts vary depending on the available reserve funds held by the 574 different tribal nations, meaning every tribe is impacted differently.

Community centers have vital roles in Indigenous life, hosting birthday celebrations, funeral services, basketball games and bingo nights for these tight-knit communities.

The flag-raising ceremony on Sept. 5, 2025, will mark the completion of a project celebrating the unique government-to-government relationships between the state and tribal nations within its boundaries.

District I Rep. Perry Drift resigned Aug. 12, 2025, following a DWI arrest and months of turmoil following an altercation. This is the band's second special election this year.