Overview
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Midwest Region provides funding and support to 36 federally recognized Indian tribes located in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa. Tribes in the Midwest Region encompass approximately 62 million acres, including treaty-ceded territories, representing millions of acres of forests, lakes, streams and wetlands. The Region's tribes have sustained various programs that continue to support their self-determination, cultural, political and subsistence needs including such programs as fisheries and wildlife management, wild rice, wetlands, and waterfowl restoration. As a result of the Tribes' collective efforts with the states, other federal agencies, various universities and private land-owners, these programs have served as national models for collaborative, landscape-scale work..
The Midwest Regional Office (MRO), located in Bloomington, Minnesota, directly serves six tribes. In addition, the Region has four Agencies: the Michigan Agency, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, that directly serves 12 tribes; the Minnesota Agency, located in Bemidji, Minnesota, that directly serves the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) and its six Bands; the Great Lakes Agency, located in Ashland, Wisconsin, that directly serves 10 tribes; and the Red Lake Agency, located in Red lake Minnesota, which is directly served by the Regional Office.
Office of the Regional Director
The Regional Director is the Region's Senior Official with delegated authority from the Secretary and/or Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in upholding and maintaining the government-to-government relationship with tribes and fulfilling the Federal trust responsibilities. The Regional Director's Executive Team, which supports her in providing organizational leadership and management, includes two Deputy Regional Directors (Divisions of Indian and Trust Services) and three Agency Superintendents (Michigan Agency, Minnesota Agency and the Great Lakes Agency). The Executive Team ensures the coordination of all assigned programs to achieve the overall mission of the Bureau and Department.
Tammie Poitra
Regional Director
Patricia Olby
Deputy Regional Director
Trust Services
Chris Redman
Deputy Regional Director
Indian Services
