ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday, July 17th, leaders and community members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, along with Minnesota state and federal officials, gathered for a celebration of the returning of nearly 12,000 acres of land to the Band. The restoration comes as the result of federal legislation – sponsored by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and signed into law in 2020 – reversing a land seizure by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1940’s that was not agreed to by the Tribes.
In attendance were State Senator Mary Kunesh (DFL-New Brighton) and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-Saint Paul). At the conclusion of the ceremony, Senator Kunesh released the following statement:
“Today marks an incredible day in Minnesota history, as we celebrate the reconciliation of a wrong against the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The recognition of lands taken from the Tribe, and now the return, are important examples of honoring the sovereignty of the Tribes – not just in Minnesota, but across the nation. I want to sincerely thank everyone involved for their years of hard work on this historic achievement.” ###
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