Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

06/16/2026

👑✨ Future Royalty, this is YOUR time to shine! ✨👑
Do you love to dance at powwows? Would you like to represent the Mille Lacs Band community, travel to other powwows, and serve as a positive role model for youth?

If so, consider running in the Mille Lacs Band Iskigamizigan Annual Traditional Powwow Royalty Contest!

💫Jr. Brave & Jr. Princess — Ages 6-12
💫Sr. Brave & Sr. Princess — Ages 13-18

To be eligible, participants must be:
✔️ A Mille Lacs Band member, or
✔️ A first-line descendant of a Mille Lacs Band member

📅 Royalty Contest: August 14-16, 2026
📅 Sign-up Deadline: August 14, 2026

While applications will be accepted through August 14, candidates are encouraged to sign up early to allow plenty of time to complete the required cultural activity hours.

Being royalty is more than wearing a crown or sash—it’s an opportunity to represent your community, celebrate culture, build confidence, and inspire the next generation. ❤️🖤💛🤍

📞 For more information or an application packet, contact Sherry Pewaush at 320-362-4857.

06/12/2026

Join Water Over Nickel on August 2 at Grand Casino Hinckley for RIPPLE — a contemporary Indigenous arts and fashion experience inspired by water in motion.

This free community event brings together creativity, culture, and connection to celebrate the importance of protecting the waters that sustain us all.

Guests will enjoy a contemporary Indigenous fashion show featuring Native designers, a student art exhibition, and opportunities to learn more about protecting Minnesota's clean water.

🗓: August 2, 2026
📍: Grand Casino Hinckley
⏰: 2–4 PM

Learn more about RIPPLE: https://waterovernickel.com/ripple-cultural-arts-show

06/11/2026

🎯Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
You can help save lives. ❤️ Please consider donating and join us for this blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross in Minnesota and Grand Casino MN.

💓Blood Drive
➡️Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Winter Room
777 Grand Ave - Onamia

📆Thursday, July 16, 2026
⏰9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Grand Casino to schedule an appointment.

06/11/2026

The Mille Lacs Band General Election results (June 9, 2026) have been finalized.
🗳️ District III:
Michelle (Shelly) Pomerleau – 103 votes (63.19%)
Lionel Richey – 60 votes (36.81%)
📊 Total Votes Cast: 164
Miigwech to everyone who made their voice heard.

📢 OFFICIAL & CERTIFIED RESULTS ARE IN
The Mille Lacs Band General Election results (June 9, 2026) have been finalized.
🗳️ District III:
Michelle (Shelly) Pomerleau – 103 votes (63.19%)
Lionel Richey – 60 votes (36.81%)
📊 Total Votes Cast: 164
Miigwech to everyone who made their voice heard.

06/11/2026

UPDATED: If any local artists are interested in creating artwork for future advertising, promotional materials, or community communications, please reach out to Nicole Sawyer at [email protected]. She would be happy to work with and support artists by using original artwork whenever possible.

Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures proudly presents Cultural Learning: Ceremonies & Tradition sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about Ojibwe traditions, cultural practices, teachings, and protocols in a welcoming environment.

Participants may attend the session that works best for their schedule.

Grand Casino Hinckley
📅 July 8, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM
📍 South Wind Room

Grand Casino Mille Lacs
📅 July 9, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM
📍 Executive Conference Room, 1st Floor, MLCV Building

🎁 Sign Up Today!
Everyone who registers before the session and attends will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early and don't miss your chance to win!

To register, please contact:
Nicole Sawyer
📧 [email protected]

We hope you will join us for this opportunity to learn, connect, and deepen your understanding of our culture and traditions.

06/11/2026

The Chief Executive's Elder Meeting is set to start at 10 a.m. today. If you're unable to make it in person, Chief Executive Wind invites you to head on over to https://millelacsband.com/government/official-documents-and-communications and login. The meeting notice and the Zoom link is at the top of the page.

06/10/2026

⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Potential Today – June 10, 2026 ⚠️
The US National Weather Service Duluth Minnesota has advised that severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. While the skies may look calm now, conditions can change quickly.

Please take a few minutes to prepare:
📱 Set up weather alerts on your phone
🏠 When alerted to a storm, move inside a sturdy building
🪟 Stay away from windows
🚗 If a building is not nearby, get inside a vehicle

Storm threats today include:
🔹 Numerous severe storms possible this afternoon and evening
🔹 Severe Storm Risk: Level 3 out of 5
🔹 Damaging wind gusts of 60–70 mph are the primary concern
🔹 Secondary hazards include isolated 1-inch hail and the possibility of an isolated tornado, particularly in the Brainerd Lakes area
🔹 Localized heavy rain is also possible

Forecasts can change throughout the day, so keep an eye on the sky and stay weather aware. We'll share updates as they become available if necessary.

06/10/2026

The District II Representative is seeking Band Member interested in serving on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Housing Advisory Board for a term ending June 30, 2030. If you are interested in being nominated for this position, please email a letter of interest and resume to Brianna Boyd, Legislative Affairs Director, at [email protected] no later than Friday, June 19, 2026.

06/09/2026

Chief Executive Wind is seeking Mille Lacs Band youth of all ages to take part on our float again this year for the Onamia Days parade happening on Sunday, June 14, 2026. This is a great community engagement opportunity for us to participate in! We look forward to seeing you there.

If you're interested or have any questions, please contact Chief Executive Wind at 320-630-1428. Miigwech!

06/09/2026

The Office of Chief Executive Wind respectfully invites all Mille Lacs Band Elders to attend this Elder meeting dedicated to reviewing and discussing tribal policies designed to support the wellbeing and services provided to our Elders. Join us on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Grand Casino Hinckley Events Center.

Lunch will be provided. There will also be a zoom link shared for those that cannot attend in person. Please spread the word and share with our elders; we look forward to seeing them there! Contact the Chief Executive's office at 320-532-7486 with any questions.