University of Minnesota, Fond du Lac Band move forward together on historic Cloquet Forestry Center land return

In a milestone moment for collaboration and reconciliation, the University of Minnesota and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are moving forward with the return of the Cloquet Forestry Center land, wholly located within the Fond du Lac Reservation. The effort is enabled by provisions in the state bonding bill approved by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Governor Walz in a ceremony this morning attended by University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham and Fond du Lac Tribal Chairman Bruce M. Savage.

This action honors treaty-based rights, advances Tribal sovereignty and fulfills recommendations for the return of Indigenous lands from the TRUTH Project: Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing, reflecting the University’s dedication to accountability, healing and partnership.  

“Returning the Cloquet Forestry Center land to the Fond du Lac Band is an important step in recognizing our shared history and moving forward together,” said Cunningham. “We’re grateful to the Fond du Lac Band for their partnership, and to Governor Walz, the Legislature, Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council for their support. This work is about more than land — it’s about building a future grounded in respect, reconciliation and shared stewardship.” 

“This land has always been connected to our people and our responsibilities as Anishinaabe,” said Savage. “Its return is an important step for our community and for the work we have carried for a long time. We are grateful to the University of Minnesota, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Legislature for working with us in a way that respects this land, our history with it and our sovereignty as a Tribal Nation. This moment reflects the work of many Tribal leaders, staff and community members over many years, and we honor everyone who helped move this forward. As we move ahead, we will continue building a respectful relationship that supports the land, honors our sovereignty and creates space for learning and stewardship. This is a meaningful step for our people today and for the generations yet to come.”

The bonding bill addresses the key requirements needed to advance the land transfer, positioning the University to return all 3,400 acres of the Cloquet Forestry Center land while continuing operations at the site. 

The University remains firmly committed to its mission of research, teaching and outreach at the forestry center. As this work moves forward, the University will partner with the Fond du Lac Band to finalize agreements that create new opportunities to strengthen forestry and natural resources education, research and stewardship. This partnership signals a new chapter for the Cloquet Forestry Center, grounded in shared learning, cooperation and long-term care of the land.

“It is a new day for Minnesota,” said State Representative Liish Kozlowski (Ojibwe-Anishinabeg), lead author of the provisions authorizing the land return in the bonding bill. “The return of these 3,400 acres affirms a simple truth: this has always been Indigenous homeland. More than a century after these lands were stolen, they are finally being returned to Indigenous hands, where they belong. This victory is bigger than a land transfer — it is an act of justice, healing and restoration of our spirits too. I’m humbled to be part of righting the harms carried out by the federal government, the University and the State of Minnesota, and doing right by my peoples’ for generations to come.” 

“I am glad to see this land return to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who by treaty rights should have been its stewards all along,” said Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee. “Bonding dollars fund projects that benefit communities for 10 or more years; this transfer will benefit the land and all living beings for generations to come. My gratitude goes to Chairman Bruce Savage, Representative Liish Kozlowski, President Rebecca Cunningham and every person who made today possible.”

Several administrative and governance steps remain before the land transfer is finalized. These include administrative action by the State, continued coordination between the University and the Band on implementation and operational agreements, followed by review and action by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents related to the transfer process.