The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized Tribal sovereign nation, asks nonresidents to avoid the use of Tribal roads, trails, lakes and lake shores on the Grand Portage Reservation as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This request is temporary and is in response to the Band’s concerns about nonresidents recreating on the Reservation. The Grand Portage Band asks nonresidents to respect the wishes of the Band and recreate elsewhere until the tentative opening date of our lands on June 15, 2020.
The Band understands the draw of the North Shore as a spectacular year-round destination. Grand Portage’s enterprises strive to provide exceptional hospitality and gaming experiences to our guests, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
We have tentatively set the re-opening of Grand Portage Lodge & Casino on Monday, June 22, 2020.
Our community members want to recreate close to home, on the Reservation without fear or concern of encountering possible transmission of the novel coronavirus. The reservation is the territory of the Band and this request represents our sovereign authority. We ask nonresidents to respect this authority. The Tribal Government efforts are designed to prevent utilization of our Tribal recreation sites by what we anticipate to be overwhelming numbers of nonresidents.
The Band has been proactive in keeping our community safe, issuing a Declaration of Public Health Emergency on March 16 and a Stay at Home Order on April 1 to preserve public health and safety, and to ensure that healthcare systems are capable of serving all in need, especially those at high risk and vulnerable to COVID-19. With no positive cases of COVID-19 within the Grand Portage Reservation or Cook County, the Band is worried that non-essential travel to the Reservation will enable the spread of COVID-19 onto the Reservation. The Band intends to slow the spread and keep members healthy and safe.
Employees of the Band are exempt from this request.
As we prepare our community for the reopening of our enterprises, there will be many changes to increase the safety for our employees, community, and guests. Guests will find new policies and procedures in place when we reopen for the health and safety of all.
Current status of amenities on the Grand Portage Reservation
• Grand Portage Lodge and Casino-closed.
• Island View Dining Room-closed.
• Grand Portage Trading Post-open to residents only.
• Grand Portage Marina-closed to nonresidents.
• Grand Portage RV Park and Campground-closed.
• Tribal roads, trails, lakes and lakeshores-closed to nonresidents.
• Grand Portage State Park-closed.
• Grand Portage National Monument-closed, including trails.
• The United States/ Canada border-closed to non-essential traffic.
It is important to understand that there are currently no public amenities such as food, water, and restrooms available to nonresidents anywhere on the Reservation.
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