Melanie Benjamin (Ojibwe leader)


Melanie Benjamin is chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, in the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation in east-central Minnesota, USA.

Biography

Benjamin was originally elected chief executive of the band in 2000, and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. In October 2008, shortly after the start of her third term, she was removed from office following accusations of misappropriation of tribal funds. She was again elected chief executive in 2012 and in 2016. In 2018, Benjamin addressed the Band's opioid crisis and provided harsh comments to traditionally Band-supportive groups on their lack of assistance to the Tribe.