Works to keep American Indian families together and strong by providing the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to provide a safe, stable environment for their children. Programs and services include: Family Preservation and Reunification: Uses traditional American Indian teachings and an asset-based approach to build on the strengths of families. This program combines self-help, professional intervention, and cultural reinforcement to assist families going through the reunification process or stressful parenting situations. Aspects of the program may include: group learning, increasing positive social networks, connecting families to cultural teachings and healing, case management, appropriate referrals, resource acquisition, and general family support. Indian Child Welfare Legal Advocacy/Compliance (ICWLAC): Enforces local compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This program provides court monitoring on cases involving American Indian children, legal representation to American Indian Families (in partnership with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services), and education/outreach to identify systemic problems and strategize on solutions regarding compliance. Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Case Management: Provides support, case management, and assistance in coordinating resources for families with children who have mental health needs.

The Mille Lacs Band District Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction. The District Court hears civil matters, criminal prosecutions, and certain administrative appeals.

Fond Du Lac Tribal Court Administration exercises jurisdiction over individuals and entities doing business with the Band or engaging in certain activities on the Reservation. The court exercises only civil matters at this time. The court does not hear criminal matters and does not have jurisdiction to hear child welfare cases.

Provides for due process of criminal matters for all persons residing within the boundaries of the Bois Forte Reservation. Band prosecutor represents the people of Bois Forte. Public defender represents adult and juvenile defendants in Tribal Court.

Office of tribal bodies, including: - Tribal council - Tribal court - Tribal enrollment - Tribal law enforcement

Community Services: - Family services - Emergency planner - Chemical dependency specialist services - Gaming enforcement services - Public utilities and maintenance Court services: - Chief judge - Appellate Court - Clerk of courts - Probation officer - Ordinance information

Provides free civil and criminal legal services to enrolled Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members. services available: - Answer questions - Go to court - Notary services - Provide legal services - Resolve cases on behalf of clients Program does not accept all cases and may deny services based on criteria of the case and the client. Cases accepted: - Child Protection (CHIPS) - Consumer law and debt collection - Criminal law - Domestic abuse - Elder law (health care directives, powers of attorney, estate planning, probate, guardianships, grandchild adoption/guardianship/custody, Indian trust land/accounts) - Estate planning - Family law (divorce and custody/visitation) - Housing - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) - Juvenile delinquency - Probate - Public benefits (denial or termination of benefits such as Social Security) - Truancy cases Cannot accept cases such as: - 1st or 2nd degree drug possession - Bankruptcy - Commitments - Criminal or civil cases outside of the service area - Drug sales - Employment discrimination - Federal court cases - Personal injury - Suing other band members for money damages - Worker's compensation - Wrongful termination

Provides a legal department to represent and protect the Tribe. Provides assistance to the Tribal Council, tribal programs, businesses, and committees, enforcing tribal ordinances, and treaty rights, protecting the Tribe's assets and interest in all legal matters relating to the Tribe. The legal department includes: - Criminal law matter representation through the Regional Native Public Defense - DWI court - Drug court - Guardian ad litem to investigate the interests of children in cases involving child protection, orders for protection, custody, and divorces

Provides free civil and criminal legal services to enrolled Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members. services available: - Answer questions - Go to court - Notary services - Provide legal services - Resolve cases on behalf of clients Program does not accept all cases and may deny services based on criteria of the case and the client. Cases accepted: - Child Protection (CHIPS) - Consumer law and debt collection - Criminal law - Domestic abuse - Elder law (health care directives, powers of attorney, estate planning, probate, guardianships, grandchild adoption/guardianship/custody, Indian trust land/accounts) - Estate planning - Family law (divorce and custody/visitation) - Housing - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) - Juvenile delinquency - Probate - Public benefits (denial or termination of benefits such as Social Security) - Truancy cases Cannot accept cases such as: - 1st or 2nd degree drug possession - Bankruptcy - Commitments - Criminal or civil cases outside of the service area - Drug sales - Employment discrimination - Federal court cases - Personal injury - Suing other band members for money damages - Worker's compensation - Wrongful termination

Provides voluntary case management, child protection, adult protection, Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) advocacy, and children's mental health. Enforces Native American child welfare with the ability to act independently under the provisions outlined in the Indian Child Welfare Act. Services include foster care placement, pre-adoptive placement, and adoptive placement. ?

Handles matters falling under the Indian Child Welfare Act: - Adoptions - Education regarding the Act - Foster placement proceedings - Guardianship proceedings - Termination of parental rights - Third-party custody cases - Voluntary placement matters Note: Does not handle divorce, family court, or delinquency criminal cases

Legal Aid service for low-income residents of Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth Reservations Current priorities: - Compliance with Indian Child Welfare Act - Tribal court matters - Domestic violence - Racial discrimination - Civil rights violations - Indian jurisdictional issues (Housing, Employment, Education) - Do not take criminal cases in State or Federal courts