Statute Revision

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (MLBO) is located in northeast central Minnesota. It is also a constituent of the federally-recognized Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. As of January 2022, the total enrollment of MLBO totaled 4,808 tribal members.

Between 2014 and 2017, MLBO undertook a comprehensive Needs Assessment that focused on the MLBO Justice System and the MLBO Child Welfare System. The assessment sought to identify the strengths, resources, and challenges both in the administration of justice and in the operation of the child welfare system. This assessment concluded that a significant revamping of the MLBO legal Statures is required to bring coherence and fully modernize the MLBO’s Justice system.

Many of the MLBO Statutes were created in the 1970’s and 1980’s and have not evolved to reflect the changes and growth to MLBO. As a result, they do not meet the need of today’s programming and in fact may hinder the MLBO Justice System and programming. Inconsistent, missing, or ineffective statutes impede not only the process but disturb the tribal government as a whole and may potentially jeopardize MLBO’s sovereignty. Revisions, both in language and content, must be appropriate and respect the mission and needs of MLBO government and programs. 

In light of this need, with these proposed funds MLBO will address these discrepancies in legislation through the continued work of 2 Legislative Staff Attorneys who will operate in the MLBO Office of the Reviser of Statutes. It is the plan of MLBO that these two attorneys annually compile, update, and publish Band laws and official acts; provide confidential drafting services of proposed legislation and policy revisions to the District Representatives; and update the Tribal Register for the publication of Band statutes and policies, Legislative Orders, Secretarial Orders, Executive Orders, Commissioner’s Orders, Opinions of the Solicitor, Chief Justice Orders, and other official notices.