American Indian Communities in Minnesota - Leech Lake Band

American Indian Communities in Minnesota
Leech Lake Band



Reservation Area: 602,880 acres



Tribal Land: 14,069 acres



Allotted: 12,693 acres



Tribal Enrollment: 7,567 (1995)

Communities: Cass Lake (tribal headquarters), Bena, Federal Dam, Ball Club, Onigum, Squaw Lake, Inger, Alwood, Spring Lake, Boy River, Mission, Pennington and Sugar- Point.



Number of Residents: 6,260 (1995)



BRIEF HISTORY/BACKGROUND

The reservation was established by treaties in 1855 and 1864. An additional treaty was signed in 1867 and Executive Orders implemented in 1873 and 1874 which changed the reservation area. The Band is a part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.



Governance

Type of Government: Five-member

representative Tribal Council elected to four-year staggered terms.



Election Process: The members are elected by enrolled tribal members. Those not living on the reservation may vote by absentee ballot.



Employment (1995)

Labor Force: 2,161

Unemployment: 26%





Economic Development

Tribal Businesses: LL Construction Building, casinos, fishery, Che Wah Kah E Gon Complex (gift shop, restaurant, gas station, and convenience store), Ojibwe Foods

Other Businesses: Resorts and manufacturing businesses













School Attendance

Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shing School:

Elementary (K-6): 79

Junior High (7-8): 23

High School (9-12): 63



Other students attend public and private schools in Bemidji, Cass Lake, Deer River, Walker and Longville.

Cass Lake Public School Enrollment (1997-1998): 883





Health Care (1994)

Number of Clinics: 1



Number of Doctors: 5.7 (FTE)



Casinos

Number: 2 - Northern Lights Casino, Walker and Palace Bingo and Casino Cass Lake





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