A 20-year-old member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota has been charged in connection with a fire that destroyed the tribal headquarters.

William Lynn Isham appeared in court last Friday on charges that he willfully and maliciously set fire to the building on July 20. He allegedly bragged about the incident that same day.

"Let's make something for the memory book and burn down the [tribal headquarters]," Isham allegedly said, according to the criminal complaint in federal court.

The tribe incidentally was already planning to break ground on a new government and community services facility to house some of the offices that were in the headquarters. Construction will move forward as planned, with an $8 million loan from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

Get the Story:
Member of Bois Forte tribe charged with starting HQ fire (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/4)
Suspect arrested in Bois Forte headquarters fire (The Duluth News Tribune 8/4)
Bois Forte Tribal Arson Suspect Arrested (Northland News Center 8/3)

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Bois Forte Band offers $14K reward in fire case (7/24)
Bois Forte tribal headquarters destroyed by fire (7/21)