Chief Executive Virgil Wind
On April 2, 2024, the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members created a pivotal moment in the Tribe's recent history: electing a new Chief Executive after a 20-plus-year tenure under former Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin. Former District I Representative Virgil Wind won the seat with nearly 70 percent of Mille Lacs Band members’ votes during the primary election. Chief Executive Wind's triumph marks a new era and movement for the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Driven by his deep-rooted commitment to integrity, transparency, and community, Chief Executive Wind's victory promises hope and change for the current and future generations.
Born and raised in Onamia, near Nay-Ah-Shing, District I of the Mille Lacs Band Reservation, Wind’s upbringing by his grandparents, the late Sonny and Dorothy Wind, instilled a profound sense of responsibility and a deep connection to his roots as an Anishinaabe. Proud father of five, grandparent, partner, uncle, friend, and Weh to many, Wind’s family is at the heart of who he is.
Before starting his career in tribal government, Wind had a well-rounded experience holding many positions, including local school board membership, Local Indian Education Parent Committee (LIEPC) Vice Chair, and a successful business owner/entrepreneur, having created and managed a successful independent contracting company that operated for nearly three decades.
Wind’s career within tribal government began when he was elected as District I Representative in 2020, where he quickly distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for legislative reform and community empowerment. During his tenure, he spearheaded efforts to combat the drug epidemic, engage the community, enhance judicial and executive infrastructure, and promote responsible fiscal management throughout the tribe. As the former District I Representative, Wind has championed numerous legislative initiatives to improve Band members’ lives, setting a precedent for his commitment to service and empowering his colleagues to propel the tribe to new heights. One of the most noteworthy impacts Wind had as District I Representative was his purposeful community engagement efforts to reignite togetherness for Mille Lacs Band members. He plans to continue that effort and he knows that impact will carry throughout the entire Tribe.
Chief Executive Wind commits to building a foundation where transparency and accountability are omnipresent within tribal governance. Under his leadership, the Executive Branch has priorities including:
- Revitalizing community engagement.
- Enhancing economic development.
- Preserving cultural heritage.
- Ensuring equitable practices for all Mille Lacs Band members.
Among his priorities, Chief Executive Wind’s key initiatives include economic growth and job creation, tribal infrastructure and housing, education and youth development, culture and language preservation, and continuing collaboration and advocacy through fostering solid relationships and partnerships.
Chief Executive Wind aims to empower every individual within the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe by fostering an inclusive, equitable, and responsive government. Chief Executive Wind commits to advancing the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe toward a future of prosperity, resilience, and cultural preservation. His leadership promises to uphold the Mille Lacs Band's sovereignty while embracing new opportunities for growth and collaboration. As he steps into his role as Chief Executive, Wind carries with him the collective hopes and aspirations of the Band, ready to navigate the challenges ahead and usher in a new era of prosperity and unity for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. In this new era, Chief Executive Wind brings about a movement in the Tribe, and his triumphs will lead us all onward.
