Leech Lake Band rescinds unauthorized approval of power line deal

Thursday, February 3, 2011  

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians in Minnesota has withdrawn an unauthorized power line deal with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Secretary/Treasurer Michael J. Bongo wrote a letter to the commission last October that purported to approve a transmission line through the reservation. But he acted without authority of the full council.

“Secretary/Treasurer Bongo took a no vote for a referendum on power line and tried to pass it off as approval for a $5.7 million deal with power companies,” Leech Lake Band Chairman Arthur “Archie” LaRose said in a press release, The Bemidji Pioneer reported “Then he wrote a letter he never shared with the full LLRBC and sent notice of approval to the PUC. This is important because the signed agreement waives the sovereignty of Leech Lake, jeopardizes our treaty rights and civil regulatory authority."

Bongo is facing a recall election next month. He has faced criticism for extending a $2.4 million loan without the approval of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe withdraws power line project agreement (The Bemidji Pioneer 2/3)

Related Stories:
Leech Lake Band sets February recall election for council member (1/13)
MPR: Leech Lake Band official faces removal over $2.4M loan deal (1/7)
Leech Lake Band official faces prosecution over loan agreement (11/23)