Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School to Receive $25M in Replacement Funding

CASS LAKE, MINN. — The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) announced today that the United States Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs has been successful in its effort to secure federal replacement funding for its school located in Bena, Minn. This major announcement comes after years of federal government lobbying and applications by LLBO, according to a statement from the tribal chair’s office.

Photo courtesy LLBO.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chairwoman Carri Jones stated, “Our kids will finally have a safe environment to learn and grow. Years of hard work have paid off and I’m incredibly proud and excited there will soon be a new Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School. Thank you to the many people who worked on this effort, including those who serve Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate who have continually advocated for our school’s funding. We also owe a special thank you to our students, teachers, school leadership, current and past RBC committees, and a particular thanks to Eugene Whitebird.”

The school is expected to receive nearly $25 million in funding.

According to a news release from the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, 10 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools were eligible for campus-wide funding, and Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig was  chosen because it was identified as one of the schools in most need of replacement.