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