Editor's Note: This content was updated on May 24, 2024 to reflect the latest information around this work.
May 2024 Update
The University of Minnesota is actively working to return 3,400 acres of land to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Currently, this land is home to the U of M’s Cloquet Forestry Center. The land on which CFC resides is wholly located within the Fond du Lac Reservation, making it unlike any other property owned or operated by the University.
Plans developed to facilitate the land transfer included legislative action to transfer title to approximately 400 acres from the State of Minnesota to the University, and to settle related debt. House File 4193/Senate File 3986 passed through multiple committees but was ultimately unsuccessful during the 2024 legislative session due to the legislature not passing a capital investment omnibus bill.
Returning the land is the right thing to do and consistent with University policies. The University will continue working with Fond du Lac Band leaders toward our mutual goals of returning this land to their care while also collaborating on important education, research and community outreach programs into the future.
To read additional background information, please read the original article on the University of Minnesota website.