Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act– Decision Memo Signed

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Public Affairs Officer Mike Stearly


Cass Lake, MN, June 20, 2024 – The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest have announced that a Decision Memo was signed by US Forest Service Regional Forester Tony Dixon designating the selected parcels for transfer on the Chippewa National Forest. A total of approximately 11,778 national forest acres are being transferred under this Act.

This action is a significant step in implementing the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act, signed into law in December 2020 and meets the legislative target of approximately 11,760 acres of federal land, currently managed by the Chippewa National Forest, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. With the signing, the Forest Service is poised to transfer 345 Restoration Parcels approximately 11,778 acres through legal descriptions publication in the Federal Register.

“It’s been a pleasure and an honor to work with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as we implement the Reservation Restoration Act to transfer back approximately 11,778 acres to this sovereign nation. We understand the importance the land holds to the Band and will continue to work with the Band as we move through this process,” said Chippewa Forest Supervisor Michael Stansberry.

These restored lands will enable the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to invest in future generations with economic and residential development. Lands subject to transfer hold historical and cultural significance to the Band.

“It is with great joy and hope for the future in our hearts that we celebrate the latest step forward in restoring a portion of the illegally transferred lands back to the Leech Lake Ojibwe. On behalf of the Band, I want to express my gratitude to the Forest Service and Tribal staff collaborating behind the scenes to move this land transfer towards completion. This is one of the most monumental and positive developments to take place on Leech Lake since the first treaties were signed and the reservation was established in 1855,” said Faron Jackson Sr., Chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

The Forest and the Band jointly identified the parcels to be transferred. The intent was to limit fragmentation of ownership boundaries while honoring private property rights. The legislation language made provisions for honoring any existing private property rights such as easements, permits, or other encumbrances.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will hold a commemorative ceremony on July 17.

Comprehensive information about the selected land transfer parcels, including the Decision Memo, FAQs, and an online StoryMap, is available on the Forest's website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa. We anticipate the Federal Register Notice will publish on June 28, 2024.

For additional information regarding Public Law 116–255, please visit Congress.gov at: https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ255/PLAW-116publ255.pdf

Bill S.616, the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Technical Corrections Act of 2023 was introduced in March of 2023 to address the Bureau of Land Management Indian Lands Surveyor’s finding of additional Cass County Indian allotments illegally transferred (4,362 acres) beyond the original acres specified in the Act.