Securing Our Future: A Call for Exercising Tribal Sovereignty
By Chief Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (2000 – 2024)

For over two decades, I had the honor of serving as the Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (2000 – 2024). During that time, I witnessed firsthand the strength, resilience, and innovation of Tribal Nations as we worked to care for our people, preserve our cultures, and assert our sovereignty in the face of ever-changing challenges.

Today, we are once again at a crossroads. Federal funding—a backbone of many of our essential programs—has proven to be uncertain and politically volatile. From shutdowns to freezes, the unpredictability of federal assistance reminds us that while these dollars may help, they should never be the foundation upon which we build our future.

As leaders, we must ask ourselves the hard questions: What is our Plan B? What are we doing to ensure that our communities thrive whether or not the federal government delivers? The answer lies in economic self-sufficiency and long-term strategic planning.

Economic Development Is an Act of Sovereignty

Economic development is not just a tool—it is a declaration of our sovereignty. When we build enterprises, invest in infrastructure, and create jobs for our people, we are exercising our inherent right to self-determination.

At Mille Lacs, we understood this. We developed a strong economic base through gaming, hospitality, and other ventures. But we also understood that relying on a single source of income—no matter how successful—is not enough. Diversification is essential. Whether it’s expanding healthcare enterprises, investing in clean energy, launching new Tribal businesses, or strengthening agriculture and tourism, we must explore industries that align with our values, our culture, and our land.

We also need to take a hard look at our financial foundations. What unrestricted funds do we have access to? Are we building reserves for the future? Do we have the right infrastructure, talent, and leadership in place to support our economic ambitions? These are not just operational questions—they are sovereignty questions.

Unity at the Council Table

One of the greatest threats to progress is internal division. Strategic planning requires unity—an alignment of vision, purpose, and priorities. We cannot afford to pull in different directions. Our people deserve a coordinated, forward-looking approach to governance and development.

When the Council is aligned, the entire Nation benefits. Our enterprises operate more effectively, our workforce is better supported, and our community has a clear roadmap for growth. This is how we prepare—not react—for whatever may come.

Investing in Our People

Economic sovereignty is not just about dollars—it’s about our people and our community. Our future depends on the talent we nurture and the leaders we empower. That’s why I’ve always been an advocate for investing in education, training, and workforce development.

Do we have the right people in our finance offices, in our grant departments, in our HR teams? Are we training the next generation of Tribal leaders and enterprise managers? Succession planning, mentorship, and continuous learning must be built into our governance and organizational systems.

Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs within our communities is another way to build resilience. When we lift up local Tribal members who want to create, grow, and innovate, we’re not just supporting businesses—we’re supporting families, culture, and long-term stability.

The Power of Self-Governance

True sovereignty means more than economic strength—it means we govern ourselves according to our own priorities, traditions, and visions for the future. Self-governance is how we determine our own destiny. It allows us to design Tribal governments and institutions that reflect the needs and values of our people—not the demands or expectations of outside systems.

We must remember that our governance structures are not fixed—they are ours to mold. We have the power to create systems of justice, education, health, and administration that serve our communities in culturally grounded, forward-thinking ways. Whether through constitutional reform, administrative redesign, or community-led planning, we can—and must—shape our governments to work for us.

By investing in strong, responsive self-governance, we not only preserve our sovereignty—we actively exercise it. This is how we protect our future and empower the next generation to lead with confidence, accountability, and vision.

Working Together for a Shared Future

I’ve seen the power of inter-Tribal collaboration. When Tribes invest in one another, share knowledge, and build together, we all rise.

We must continue to explore joint ventures, shared infrastructure projects, and regional economic strategies that benefit multiple Nations. We are stronger when we work together, not in competition, but in cooperation.

The Time Is Now

Indian Country has endured centuries of challenges, but we are still here. We are not just surviving—we are leading, building, and reclaiming our place as sovereign Nations with the power to shape our own futures.

But that future will not be handed to us. It must be built—brick by brick, business by business, plan by plan. And it starts with each of us. As leaders, as community members, and as Nations.

Let’s commit to economic independence, to long-term planning, and to investing in our people. Let’s refuse to be at the mercy of external forces. And let’s lead with vision, courage, and unity toward a future where our prosperity is determined by us and for us.

Miigwech,

Chief Melanie Benjamin
Chief Executive, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (2000 – 2024)