Tribal Higher Education Funding Inpact
Home FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: June 10, 2025By: Jessica Wagner-Schultz, Director of Institutional Advancement, Marketing & Communication Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, jwschultz@lco.edu715.634.4790 x186 (O) Tribal Higher Education Funding Impact Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – June 10, 2025 – Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) strongly opposes the proposed changes to the federal Pell Grant program in the current reconciliation bill, in addition to the funding cuts recommended in the recently released Department of the Interior’s FY 2025-2026 budget. The recommendations, including raising the full-time enrollment threshold and eliminating Pell Grants for students enrolled less than half-time, would cause increased and irrecoverable challenges to students. These challenges would also disproportionately affect the rural communities that are entwined with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). As expressed in the Tribal College Journal 1, “Pell grants are the foundation of college affordability for TCUs, which serve predominantly low-income, first-generation, and American Indian and Alaska Native students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, nearly 69% of first-time, full-time TCU students nationwide received Pell support, far above the national average for two-year public institutions.” “Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, along with other tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), has been experiencing real and potential threats to federal funding since the onset of the current administration, first with the DEI order and funding freeze. In the proposed budget, we are facing cuts that will decrease access to Pell grants for our students, 72% of whom would be negatively impacted by these changes. Our student demographic is, on average, a 36-year-old woman attending part-time. Requiring students to take more courses to qualify for full-time funding, or ending access for less than half-time enrollment, would severely restrict access to higher education for those we serve,” said LCOOU Interim President Karen Breit. “Last week, we saw proposed deep cuts to tribal higher education funding in the federal FY2026 budget recommendations. If these recommendations pass, they would be devastating to TCUs that depend significantly on federal funds for operations. This not only impacts LCOOU itself, but also the $20.9 million local economic impact that was reported in our Economic Impact Study released in February 2024,” shares Breit. Federal funding critical to TCU higher education is slated to be reduced by 83%, from $127.4 million in FY2024-2025 to $22.1million in FY2026, while an “annual program dedicated to construction and capital improvements at 1994 Tribal Land Grant institutions is proposed for a 100% reduction – from $8 million to $0.” 2 The proposed funding reduction would be catastrophic, forcing many TCUs to close their doors entirely. Already operating on bare minimum budgets, TCUs cannot absorb further cuts without eliminating programs, student services, and staff. Such losses would reverse decades of progress in education, economic development, and self-determination for Tribal nations and their communities. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University joins its voice to the urging of AIHEC in asking Congress to recognize the essential commitments of these previously established funding sources. In a recent impact study, LCOOU’s effect on its local and regional community was found to be pronounced and influential. 3 It is only through the continued support and collaboration of local, regional, and federal governments that the University can continue having these stated impacts, furthering its mission of promotion, perpetuation, and nurturance of American Indian language and scholarship. ### 1: “Pell Grant Changes Threaten Native Student Access and Local Economies,” Tribal College Journal. Jun 02, 2025. https://tribalcollegejournal.org/pell-grant-changes-threaten-native-student-access-and-local-economies/2: “AIHEC Urges Immediate Action to Prevent Devastating Cuts to Tribal College and Native Education Funding,” Red Lake Nation News. Jun 04, 2025. https://www.redlakenationnews.com/story/2025/06/04/news/aihec-urges-immediate-action-to-prevent-devastating-cuts-to-tribal-college-and-native-education-funding/131913.html 3: “2024 Economic Impact Study,” Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University. https://www.lco.edu/leadership Back To All News
Community Garden
Home Community Garden – LCOOU Extension Box, plot, & large space options:Choose from an above-ground box or inground plot. We also offer larger growing spaces to fit your needs! Free supplies and support:All participants have access to free seeds, seedlings, garden tools, gloves, and on-site assistance! Accessibility:The garden can be accessed by vehicle during operating hours. A gated foot path is available to access your garden at anytime even when we are closed! To Register:Scan the code on the flyer, call 715-634-4790, ext 133, or email jcowell@lco.edu Box, plot, & large space options:Choose from an above-ground box or inground plot. We also offer larger growing spaces to fit your needs! Free supplies and support:All participants have access to free seeds, seedlings, garden tools, gloves, and on-site assistance! Accessibility:The garden can be accessed by vehicle during operating hours. A gated foot path is available to access your garden at anytime even when we are closed! To Register:Scan the code on the flyer, call 715-634-4790, ext 133, or email jcowell@lco.edu Back To All News
LCO TGB 2025 General Election
Home Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board 2025 General Election The General Election will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The following has been designated as the official polling sites: TRIBAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM NEW POST ELDERLY CENTER 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ALL POLLING PLACES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED VOTERS The list to the right is the candidate list as they appear on the ballot. Vote for up to four (4) candidates: Louis Taylor Lorraine Gouge Sirella Ford Don Carley Janet Quaderer Jordan St. Germaine John “Randy” Cadotte David Scott Bisonette Back To All News
WOLI All-Grade Promotion Event
Home Waadookodaading All-Grade Promotion Event Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 9:00am – 11:00am Location – LCO Tribal Office Pavilion. Light refreshments will be served. Click on the flyer for more information. Back To All News
Invitation to LCO Programs & Resource Providers To Participate in Community Event
Home Invitation to LCO Community Programs & Resource Providers to Participate in Community Event. On June 10, 2025, The Nenaginaawad Team (formerly known as the Drug Task Force Board), in collaboration with FALCON LCO – TGB, will be hosting a Community Event on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We are currently seeking participation from LCO community programs and resource providers who are interested in having an informational table at the event. This gathering will include a prayer and drum song, dinner, a panel discussion, and drawings intended to foster healing, awareness, and connection across our community. This is a great opportunity for programs to share services, connect with LCO community members, and collaborate with other organizations supporting the wellness of our people. If a program is interested in participating, please let us know by emailing dorothy.crust@lco-nsn.gov or cdennis@lcohc.com Miigwech for all the meaningful work you do. We hope to see you there! For more information contact Carlena Dennis, Nenaginaawad Board Chair at (715) 638-5100 or email cdennis@lcohc.com Back To All News
Absentee Ballot Deadlines Notice
Home FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEBy Jennifer Cadotte, PR Specialistpublicrelations@lco-nsn.gov(715) 699-3384 Absentee Ballot Deadlines Notice The Lac Courte Oreilles Election Committee would like to remind tribal members about upcoming deadlines regarding absentee voting. Absentee Ballot Information can also be found https://law.lco-nsn.gov/us/nsn/lco/council/code/ELE.1.5.070#(b). “Absentee Ballot” requests are only filed under these circumstances pursuant to Article IV, § 3 of the Amended Constitution and By-laws of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians: (1) Member is in a nursing home, hospital, or other health care facility. (2) Member is serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces away from the reservation on the day of the Election. Download Attachment D – Absentee Ballot Request Form here All “Absentee Ballot” requests must be mailed to: Election Committee ChairpersonLCO Tribal Administration Building13394W Trepania RoadHayward, WI 54843 Request to receive Absentee Ballot DEADLINE – June 7, 2025. Completed Absentee Ballots must be received by Friday, June 20, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. CST For more information contact Reone Rusk at (715) 699-3215 or email reone.rusk@lco-nsn.gov or Cindy Miller at (715) 634-8934 or email cindy.miller@lco-nsn.gov Back To All News
LCO Graduation Ceremony Livestream
Home Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School Graduation Ceremony Today, May 30, 202512:00 p.m. Please join us in celebration the graduating Class of 2025! Livestream available at:LCOOSK12 – YouTube Back To All News
LCOOU 2025 Commencement
Home FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: May 27, 2025By: Jessica Wagner-Schultz, Director of Institutional Advancement, Marketing & Communication Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, jwschultz@lco.edu715.634.4790 x186 (O) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University 2025 Commencement Lac Courte Oreilles, WI – May 27, 2025 – LCOOU will celebrate 23 undergraduate degree and certificate candidates, three master’s degree, and 18 GED/HSED candidates during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m., at the LCO Honor the Earth Powwow grounds. Commencement will begin with a processional LCOOU drum to precede a flag song and posting of colors by the AmVets and graduates. Interim President Karen Breit, Lac Courte Oreilles member, will deliver the welcome address. The celebration will include comments by the Board of Regents Vice Chairperson, the Honorable Judge Monica “Zhaawanagiizhigookwe” Isham. The keynote address speaker will be Thelma Nayquonabe “Asiniiwibiikwe” (LCO member), followed by the American Indian College Fund Student of the Year Kay Lynn Jensen (LCO member). The celebration will conclude with a feast at LCOOU’s Main Campus. We hope to see you there to celebrate our hard-working graduates and this accomplishment. For more information, contact Danielle Carley, Dean of Students, at 715-634-4790, ext. 124. About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University’s mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is a non-profit Ojibwe tribal college. We are an open-door institution that is proud to serve American Indian students. LCOOU welcomes non-native students and celebrates a diverse student population at all of our locations. Learn more at http://lco.edu Back To All News
Family Fun Day Planned For July
Home Family Fun Day Planned For July Tuesday, July 9, 2025 | 4:30pm – 7:00pm Location – LCO Tribal Office Pavilion Bring the whole family for yard games and a barbeque. Win prizes Outdoor games & activities Dinner provided Provided by LCO Indian Child Welfatre Family Services. Back To All News
Day Quagon Qualifies For Sectionals In The 100-Meter Dash
Home Day Quagon Qualifies For Sectionals In The 100-Meter Dash Day Quagon, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) School Varsity Track Team, has qualified for the sectional round in the 100-meter dash, marking a historic milestone for the school’s athletic program. With a powerful performance on the track, Quagon becomes the FIRST FEMALE track athlete in school history to advance to the sectional level. Her achievement reflects not only personal dedication and athletic excellence but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of LCO student athletes. Quagon will represent the LCO School at the Sectional Meet in Colby, WI, where she will compete for a coveted spot in the State Championships. The LCO community is proud of Quagon’s determination and success. Please join us in congratulating Day Quagon and wishing her the best of luck as she continues her journey toward State! Back To All News