Hope House Bemidji

01/23/2026

Leech Lake Chairman Jackson, Sr. Issues Tribal Service Announcement

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe—As the Chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, I am compelled to issue a Tribal Service Announcement. The number one concern of the RBC Tribal Council, we want each and every Band member to be safe, know your rights, please carry some form of identification, and if you do not have an I.D.—Leech Lake will provide the membership a FREE Tribal I.D. If you are questioned, detained, or arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents, please do not run, do not panic, because you are this Nation’s first citizen and showing a Minnesota Driver’s License and/or Leech Lake Tribal I.D. will identify who you are.

The Leech Lake RBC Tribal Council has opened every channel of communications with the Minnesota Governor’s office and Homeland Security Administration. We all have concerns with the safety our children, family members, and friends. I am holding firm on the position that Homeland Security ICE Agents could have been more effective if they met with community leaders, elected leaders, and sought community support with the illegal immigration crisis facing our country. Presently, seeing our citizens being hurt is wrong, this must stop immediately, until there’s a more humane way to addressing the policies on illegal immigration facing the U.S.

What are your Rights During an ICE Interactions with an Agent: The first step, please contact the RBC Tribal Council Administration at (218) 335-8200 if you are detained, arrested and/or have questions with these rights. If you do not have an I.D., Leech Lake will provide a free I.D.; please be calm and do not run; Native Americans born in Indian Country obtained citizenship, therefore, you can not be arrested for immigrations violations or deport you; You have the right to remain silent; You have the right to refuse consent to any search; You have the right to ask if you are detained or free to leave; You have the right to verify the Agent’s identity; You have the right to refuse entry to your home; and finally, we can be safe by knowing our RIGHTS and you are not an illegal immigrant but this country’s first citizen.

In closing, with the gifts of the creator, I am praying that we take a moment to reflect on the tragedies, people suffering with pain, the anger with this situation, and finding peace with the present crisis facing our communities and the people. Keeping in mind, we are all in this together. As we move forward, we will keep the Leech Lake People informed and new information will be posted on the LLBO page.

01/22/2026

With all the businesses that may be closed with the cold, we are purposely keeping our doors OPEN so anyone and everyone who needs a place to keep warm can come on over! A big THANK YOU to our amazing staff who make this possible by taking on extra shifts at the last minute!

01/20/2026

01/20/2026

Healthcare workers give so much to others. You deserve support, too.

NAMI Minnesota offers a free, confidential, peer-led NAMI Connection Support Group for Minnesotan healthcare workers living with a mental illness. This online group creates a compassionate space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of balancing mental health and a career in healthcare.

The group meets online on the first Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the third Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for adults age 18 and older.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Learn more and register today on HeyPeers through NAMI Minnesota. https://heypeers.com/members/sign_up?org=NAMI%2520Minnesota

01/18/2026

01/16/2026

NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER...

Our non-emergency number is 218-333-9111.

As "smart" as Artificial Intelligence is, it isn't perfect. Unfortunately for one of our County employees, they are getting a bunch of phone calls intended for dispatch/law enforcement and they don't even work in our building. AI is giving people the wrong phone number.

01/16/2026

The federal administration’s abrupt attempts to freeze billions in funding for social services, child care subsidies, mental health, and cash assistance in Minnesota and other states remain a major ongoing issue — even if its effects have been temporarily limited by court action. This crisis unfolds as Minnesota continues to reckon with fraud in its human services programs. However, fraud remains the exception, and most providers continue to serve communities with integrity. To rebuild trust and protect families, here are some legislative changes that could make a difference:
- Cut the red tape so providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting people.
- Simplify programs to reduce confusion, protect public resources, and limit opportunities for fraud.
- Increase on-the-ground engagement by having more DHS staff present in communities, working directly with providers and families to understand challenges and identify solutions.

To take action, join us online for NAMI Smarts for Advocacy, a free advocacy training on January 31, at 1:00 pm., where participants will work through four interactive modules on telling your story, understanding the mental health system, and effectively contacting policymakers: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hr20H7trRdeV-jgQiZjKxQ #/registration

01/15/2026

When you reach out to the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine, you’ll speak with a trained specialist who:

· Listens without judgment
· Helps you identify next steps
· Shares strategies rooted in lived caregiving experience
· Connects you to trusted NAMI programs and resources
· Points you to the NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Center

Caregiving is hard — getting support shouldn’t be.

- Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), press “4”
- Text FAMILY → 62640
- Learn more at nami.org/family

01/14/2026

Stress affects all of us, and taking care of our mental health starts with understanding how we cope and how we care for ourselves. Self-care and mindfulness are not luxuries—they are practical, everyday tools that help reduce stress, manage emotions, and support overall well-being. From getting enough rest and moving our bodies, to building supportive relationships and practicing mindfulness in the moment, small intentional actions can make a meaningful difference.

Learn more: https://namimn.org/self-care-and-mindfulness-during-times-of-fear-and-uncertainty-in-minnesota/

01/10/2026

Knowing when to call 988 versus 911 can make a critical difference during a crisis. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline connects people to trained counselors who provide emotional support, crisis de-escalation, and connections to local mental health resources, often without involving law enforcement. Calling 911 is appropriate for emergencies that involve immediate physical danger and require police, fire, or medical response. Understanding the difference helps ensure people get the right kind of support at the right time. NAMI Minnesota encourages everyone to learn when to use 988 and to share this information so more people know where to turn when they or someone they care about needs help.

01/08/2026

January is Mental Wellbeing Month.
The start of a new year is a great time to pause, reset, and check in with yourself. Taking a mental wellbeing break, even a small one, can make a difference.

31 simple tips to support your wellbeing, one for each day of January, are available from Mental Health America. Small steps can lead to positive change, so make it OK to prioritize your mental health.

Stay tuned all month long for more mental wellbeing tips.

https://mhanational.org/resources/31-tips-to-boost-your-mental-health/