Mille Lacs Band Opens Child Advocacy Center in Wahkon, Marking Major Step in Protecting Children

Rez Life Weekly Staff

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe marked a significant milestone in community care and child protection with the grand opening of its new Child Advocacy Center in Wahkon on Dec. 18, 2025.

Photo by Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin

According to Inaajimowin, the official news publication of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the opening brought together an extensive network of partners committed to supporting children and families who have experienced trauma. The event included Mille Lacs Band elected officials, representatives from the Band’s Victim Services and Grants departments, Tribal Police Department officials, the Mille Lacs County Sheriff, the Mille Lacs County Attorney’s Office, District 5 Mille Lacs County Commissioner, Pine County officials, leaders from the cities of Wahkon, Isle, and Onamia, and representatives from the Minnesota Indian Sexual Assault Coalition, Brainerd Sexual Assault, and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.

The story was reported by Vivian LaMoore for Inaajimowin.

To honor the importance of the work ahead and the families the center will serve, the opening began with a dish setting and naming ceremony, followed by an honor song. The ceremonies were intended to ensure the work begins in a good way. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe singers, along with John Benjamin, also known as Waahbishkiigaabaw, were recognized for sharing their songs, knowledge, and care.

The Child Advocacy Center is known by its Ojibwe name, Endazhi’gizhaawasong, meaning “a place where the children are protected.” Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Virgil Wind said the center represents a promise to the community’s children.

“It stands as a promise to our children that they will not face harm alone, that their voices will always matter, and that this community will surround them with care, respect, love, and strength,” Wind said, according to Inaajimowin.

The center was designed as a safe and welcoming space where children and families can seek help when difficult experiences occur. The building’s layout and atmosphere reflect the Band’s belief that children are sacred and deserve compassionate, gentle care.

At the Child Advocacy Center, children are able to speak with trained professionals in a child friendly environment, reducing the need to retell their experiences multiple times. The center works in close coordination with law enforcement, child protection, medical and mental health professionals, and Victim Services advocates so families can receive comprehensive support in one location.

Wind also acknowledged the role of Mille Lacs Band leadership in making the center possible, offering special recognition to Secretary Treasurer Sheldon Boyd, District I Representative Carolyn Beaulieu, and District II Representative Wendy Merrill, who were present for the opening. He emphasized that the project would not have been possible without sustained leadership and commitment.

Kristen Allord, director of Victim Services, said the turnout reflected the strength of collaboration among partners.

“The presence of all our partners here reflects how we are growing together and working collaboratively to strengthen the way we support children and families in our community,” Allord said, according to the publication.

Sexual Assault Program Coordinator Sonja Jensen highlighted the rarity of tribal Child Advocacy Centers, noting that there are approximately 950 CACs nationwide and only 14 in Minnesota. Of those, just 13 are tribal centers. Mille Lacs is one of only two tribal Child Advocacy Centers in the state, alongside White Earth.

The building itself was designed with intention, according to Inaajimowin. Updated electrical systems, carefully planned rooms, new siding, and bright colors were incorporated to create a sense of warmth and safety from the moment families arrive. Every detail was considered with comfort, privacy, and protection in mind.

Jensen also explained that the center is equipped with a high quality video recording system that meets national standards for both child advocacy and law enforcement investigations, supporting best practices in multidisciplinary casework.

Policies and procedures at the center align with National Children’s Alliance guidelines, ensuring a high standard of care. Staff members have completed extensive training, laying the groundwork for full accreditation, which is considered the highest benchmark for Child Advocacy Centers nationwide. Accreditation requires consistent, child centered responses, strict confidentiality, coordinated case management, and ongoing professional development.

Reflecting on her forensic interview training, Jensen said the experience will strengthen the accuracy of interviews while ensuring that children’s voices are respected and supported.

“The center represents the work of many hands and the heart of an entire community,” Jensen said. “Every step was taken with one purpose in mind: creating a space where children feel safe, believed, and supported. Today is not just about opening a building. It is about beginning a new chapter in how we care for our children and stand together as a community. What we have built reflects who we are and what we value: protection, healing, and hope.”