February 2017

In 1990, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe established its Leech Lake Tribal College, first offering courses in extension from the University of Minnesota – Duluth, Bemidji State University, and Itasca and Brainerd community colleges. The tribal college celebrated its first graduate in 1993, and then 17 more in 1994. Today, there are approximately 350 students enrolled at the college, and it has celebrated more than 525 graduates. Join us as Larry Aitken, the founder and first President of Leech Lake Tribal College who still is an Ojibwe instructor, and Melanie Wilson, Director of Assessment and Institutional Research look back [...]

Today, we honored Leech Lake Tribal College’s founder and first president Bezhigoogahbow “The one who stands alone” Larry P. Aitken. The event’s attendees represented a who’s who and was comprised of many trail blazers for Indian Education in Minnesota and Nationwide. Key speakers included Dr. Will Antell, Dr. Monnette, Leroy Staples Fairbanks III, LLTC President Dr. Ginny Carney, LLTC Board of Trustee Chair Vickie Howard, and MN District 5A Rep John Persell. The speakers shared wonderful stories about Larry Aitken, the hard work that was done to turn a dream into reality by starting a Tribal College here on the [...]

LLBO Secretary/Treasurer Archie LaRose & LLTC Board of Trustee member Pat Broker Today, Leech Lake Tribal College welcomes our newest Board of Trustee member Pat Broker. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary/Treasurer Archie LaRose performed the swearing in ceremony.

LLTC Alumni Leslie Harper will help draft proposed regulations in parts of the Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA). LLTC Alumni Leslie Harper and Emmy Winner The U.S. Department of Education named committee members who will draft proposed regulations in parts of the Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA) that replaced the outdated No Child Left Behind Act. The committee consists of many constituencies ranging from state administrators to teachers from throughout the United States. Leslie Harper was nominated by the National Coalition of Native Language Schools to serve as a participating alternate committee member.  The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee is convened to [...]

March 18, 2016 – The Leech Lake Tribal College received a $13,000 donation from LeRoy Staples Fairbanks towards a $50,000 endowment scholarship fund. This marks the beginning of the final phase of giving, with the remainder of the pledge to be completed later this year. Friends, family and staff members were present for the check presentation event hosted on campus. “What Mr. Fairbanks and his family have done is investing in the future of our community. In any successful community, there exist three characteristics: economics, leadership, and education. You need those three things to create community viability and I’m glad [...]

Everyone at LLTC would like to say Miigwech to the  Leech Lake Tax Commission for the donation of $5,000 to the “Clem Nason Memorial Scholarship Fund” carpentry program. The Leech Lake Tribal College offers certificates, diplomas, and degrees programs. This fund will have great impact on the students to afford costs associated with the program. The Leech Lake Tax Commission is always looking to find ways to positively impact the community and it was only logical to contribute to the future of Leech Lake through LLTC’s carpentry program. If you wish to donate to the College scholarship funds, please contact [...]

Press Release:  September 1, 2016 Hands-on solar installation paid internship opportunity for current  Leech Lake Tribal College’s Integrated Residential Builder students! Work with RREAL to install 200kW of solar on the Leech Lake Reservation, and obtain your needed registration to facilitate future work in the industry. Prepare your resume, be ready for an interview, and connect with Rochell Carpenter for more information by September 23rd! And for more details: On an individual level, low-income households spend on average 15% – 20% of their income on energy-related expenses. This puts a strain on already tight budgets and makes families significantly more [...]