The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) develops and implements wildlife, fish, and forestry improvement activities and regulates hunting, fishing, and gathering on the Reservation. It also preserves cultural knowledge and practices as natural resources and provides many other services, including conservation enforcement, environmental protection, natural resource permits, historical preservation, and tribal enrollment.
TO ACCESS YOUR NAGFA ACCOUNT: Native American Game & Fish Applications NAGFA™ - Online
DNR Main Line
320-532-7896
Commissioner of Natural Resources:
Kelly Applegate
763-221-0320
Kelly.applegate@millelacsband.com
Executive Director of Natural Resources
Susan Klapel
320-362-1858
susan.klapel@millelacsband.com
Office Manager
Alyssa Welsh
320-532-4772
alyssa.welsh@millelacsband.com
To be responsible for the protection, dissemination, maintenance, preservation and implementation of traditional knowledge and language from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The Cultural Resources Division is responsible to create and implement the vision and strategy for Traditional Knowledge Revitalization that will enable efficient execution of learning for all of the members of the Band with a special emphasis on band member development while fostering a culture of servant leadership. Design, develop and implement a centralized and local learning opportunities and consistent content for all members and employees with a blended learning approach.
Cultural Resources Director
Todd Moilanen
320-515-1903
todd.moilanen@millelacsband.com
To enroll eligible individuals into Mille Lacs Band and to maintain enrollment documentation. The Enrollment department is responsible for verifying the enrollment status of all band members and their descendent children.
Tribal Enrollments | Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Enrollments Manager
Jana Sam
320-532-7443
jana.sam@millelacsband.com
Environmental Programs operates, administers, and coordinates activities associated with the Environmental Protection Agency and Band-funded programs. In addition, inspections of NPDES (stormwater) and Underground Storage Tanks are conducted to ensure environmental resource protection. Environmental Programs includes an air program, ground/surface water program, a water quality lab, and a Brownfield Response Program.
Director of Environmental Programs
Perry Bunting
320-630-2439
perry.bunting@millelacsband.com
Land Management services are provided to Band members who have questions about land leases, purchases, probate, or other real estate activities.
Director of Land Management
Brandi Sam
320-364-3969
brandi.sam@millelacsband.com
The Resource Management Program includes operations and administration of fisheries, licensing, forestry, land maintenance, wildlife studies, investigations, and research projects.
LeRoy Day, Lead Licensing Agent
320-532-7896
E-mail: leroy.day@millelacsband.com
Steven LaPrairie, District II Licensing Agent / Family Tree Specialist
218-768-5316
E-mail: steven.laprairie@millelacsband.com
Vanessa Gibbs, District III Licensing Agent / Family Tree Specialist
320-384-6240 ext. 3230
E-mail: vanessa.gibbs2@millelacsband.com
Wildland/Forestry
To maintain DNR properties, provide access to band members for hunting, fishing and gathering. To protect Mille Lacs Band members and Mille Lacs Band property from wildfires and conduct prescribed burns to reduce hazardous fuels, aide in the regeneration of native plant species and create high quality wildlife habitat with the use of controlled fire. The department also strives to provide services that assist other cultural activities.
Jacob Horbacz, Forester
320-630-5752
E-mail: jacob.horbacz@millelacsband.com
Jamaal Baird, District I Lead Wildland Technician
320-630-3036
E-mail: jamaal.baird@millelacsband.com
Elijah Staples, District III Lead Wildland Technician
320-364-9262
E-mail: eli.staples@millelacsband.com
Fisheries
To restore, protect, stock, and maintain fisheries the Mille Lacs Band members use to subsistence harvest. In addition, to provide educational opportunities to youth as well as to protect Treaty Rights, culture, and sovereignty.
Carl Klimah, Fisheries Manager
320-733-0837
E-mail: carl.klimah@millelacsband.com
This program is to provide and advocate for the protection of Band’s cemeteries, traditional cultural places, and gathering areas within our exterior boundaries of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
The tribal government’s archives department collects and preserves written materials for the Band and makes them available to researchers and other interested people.
THPO
Mike Wilson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
320-364-0058
mike.wilson@millelacsband.com
Adrian Bugg, Archivist
320-532-7780
E-mail: adrian.bugg@millelacsband.com
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Landing Declaration Form