The mission of the Red Lake DNR Forestry program is to protect and enhance the forest resources of the Red Lake Reservation while providing forest management services and technical assistance to the members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. When the self-governance agreement with the federal government became effective on January 1, 1997, the Red Lake Tribe assumed many federal functions, including direction and management of the Forestry department. Although the tribe is currently managing its own forestry program under self-governance, the federal government is still obligated with the trust responsibility through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to insure that the tribe’s forest resources are being managed in the tribe’s best interest. The BIA also provides sources of funding, technical assistance and training.
