The Leech Lake Tribal Council is recommending school districts that educate band members open the school year in a distance learning model.
According to a statement, the recommendation asks that districts at a minimum use hybrid models that limit close interaction, and to consider families that have multi-generational households or underlying health conditions with the household when making decisions.
“Given the uptick in cases we have seen in northern Minnesota in recent weeks, we see no need to rush to reopen. As a tribal government, we have delayed reopening our own government and businesses from Phase 1 to Phase 2 several times, and will continue to push back a Phase 2 reopening date as many times as we feel necessary,” said the statement.
“It is far easier to remain closed than to reopen and be forced to closed again. We ask the school district to use this same logic. Reopening slowly will very likely save lives within our community and continue to curb the spread of this virus in our communities.”
The Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School and the Leech Lake Tribal College will use the distance learning model as they reopen.
“As Anishinabe people, protecting our elders and vulnerable population is at the core of who we are and why we take the actions we take.”
