Michael Fairbanks Archives - KVRR Local News

Charges Brought Against White Earth Officials

The Chairman faces six charges, while the Secretary-Treasurer faces three.

March 2, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

WHITE EARTH RESERVATION, MN – Charges are being brought against two elected officials on the White Earth Reservation. According to documentation, 6 charges are being sought against the Chairman, Michael Fairbanks, and 3 charges are being sought against the Secretary-Treasurer, Mike LaRoque. The charges allege – among other things – that Fairbanks took advantage of staff for personal gain by…

White Earth Nation begins adult use cannabis sales in Mahnomen

August 3, 2023

KVRR Staff,

MAHNOMEN, Minn. (KVRR) — White Earth Nation opens its recreational cannabis dispensary for adults 21 years and older. This comes after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota on Tuesday. The dispensary grows its own plants and is currently offering buds and pre-rolled joints. During the opening, there was a line out the door of people traveling from all over…

Fairbanks To Be Sworn In As White Earth Nation Chairman On Friday

He defeated Brent Gish in a special election last week to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Chairman Terry Tibbetts

August 14, 2019

TJ Nelson,

MAHNOMEN, Minn. — White Earth Nation will swear in its new chairman on Friday. Michael Fairbanks will become the leader of the largest tribe in Minnesota. He defeated Brent Gish in a special election last week to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Chairman Terry Tibbetts. He was elected in 2016 and passed away this past March…

White Earth Chippewa Band Elects New Chairman

Fairbanks defeated Brent Gish, on a vote of 1,352 to 679.

August 7, 2019

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WHITE EARTH, MINN. (KFGO) – Michael Fairbanks has been elected Chairman of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in a special general election held Tuesday. Fairbanks defeated Brent Gish, on a vote of 1,352 to 679, to fill out the one year remaining in the term of Tribal Chairman Terry Tibbetts, who died in March. Fairbanks has worked in tribal…