The Wellness Center is in the planning stages.  It will house the Human Services and Health Division programs.  The Center will include:  Chemical Dependency Programs, Mental Health Programs, Health Related Programs, as well as a Halfway House and Women/Families Housing for those mothers with children wishing to receive Outpatient Counseling.  Contact Kelly Lammon for more information about this project. [TOP]

The Facilities Center hosts many Human Services programs, the Education Division, Human Resources, and the Accounting Division as well as many smaller programs.  The Center itself has succumbed to age and maintenance issues.  The Planning Division is working with the Facilities Division to find funding to make major repairs to the building. Contact Laura Ware for information about this project.[TOP]

Multi-media Resource Library:  A small library will be created to gather and preserve: reports; surveys; cultural and tribal administration historical documents; and materials that are currently spread throughout Divisions, offices and storage areas.  This project will save these important parts of our history. It will make it easier to retrieve information about our Tribal residents, and eliminate duplication of efforts.  Much of the information will be available on the Planning web-site.  Contact Kelly Lammon for more information about this project.[TOP]

Bena Community Center Construction: The new Bena Center will include a Head Start, a new Child Care Center, Elders area for meals and activities, Youth activities area, gymnasium and exercise areas, and meeting space.  We are also looking to construct a new field clinic in the new building.  We currently have funding from Housing and Urban Development Indian Community Block Grant Program, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Division.  We are working with the Blandin Foundation to help construct the Youth Center.  Construction is expected to begin during the Spring of 2006.  Contact Laura Ware for information about this project.

In July of 2005 the Planning Division of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe conducted a survey of Bena, Minnesota Residents. The purpose of the survey was to ascertain if a new Field Clinic for Health was needed in the new Bena Community Center. Click HERE to see the survey results.

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Land Tenure Project:  The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to do research into establishing a non-profit entity for the Leech Lake Band to provide a holding entity for tribal lands during the fee-to-trust conversion process.

The Band hasn't had any land we have purchased since 1997 brought into trust status. It is estimated that the Band is paying over $100,000 in county taxes on these lands. Contact Gordon Regguinti for more information about this project.  [TOP]

CSBG/MEOG: The Planning Division is responsible for managing the contracts with the Federal CSBG and State of Minnesota MEOG programs. These programs provide: Elder Nutrition Program; Special Supplements; Medical Equipment and Emergency Housing Assistance. Contact Kelly Lammon for more information about this project.[TOP]