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Stauber Champions Legislation to Return Land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

December 3, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) helped advance legislation that would correct a historic wrong and transfer ownership of roughly eleven thousand acres from the Agriculture Department back to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a tribe located in his district.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Lake Country Power, Beltrami Electric, and Crow Wing Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accompany the legislation, ensuring access to easements and rights-of-way for maintenance remain when the land is transferred.

Of this legislation, Congressman Stauber stated, "Back in the 1950's, the Secretary of Agriculture wrongly claimed land belonging to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Today, I was proud to help advance legislation that would right this wrong. This legislation is a win-win for everyone involved as it would not only return ownership of the land back to the Band, but it will also help continue the safe delivery of power. Since hearing about this issue, I have worked with both the Band and rural electric cooperatives to find a solution and I'm happy that we are one major step closer to a resolution."

Earlier today, Congressman Stauber spoke on the House Floor in support of this bill Watch HERE.

He also spoke in favor and supported its passage during a September 30, 2020 markup in the House Natural Resources Committee.

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