“ Many tribes are matrilineal , which often means women hold significant power and authority .”
— Lynn Valbuena , Chairwoman , San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
into the broader culture , but in many cases , did not provide a leg up . According to the National Archives , participants often faced “ unemployment , low-end jobs , discrimination , homesickness and the loss the traditional cultural supports .” Benjamin ’ s mother worked multiple low-wage jobs to support her brood of 12 . Even then , “ if someone in the neighborhood was down and out , she would feed them .
“ Our women have always struggled because of being Native American ,” Benjamin says , “ but those ladies were pretty tough , too . I don ’ t think I ever met anybody as strong as my mom , and she instilled that strength in all her kids .”
The family eventually moved back to Minnesota , where Benjamin pursued a degree in business administration . That led her to tribal government .
“ At the time , you didn ’ t necessarily see women in government leadership , but people in your circle of friends and at work were willing to say , ‘ I recognize a gift or a potential in this young woman .’ I always happened to be in the right place at the right time for opportunities — and I went for them .”
The Leader as Servant
Benjamin had a mentor in the late Marge Anderson , the first woman tribal leader in Minnesota , who is remembered for a historic , years-long battle in federal court to defend the tribe ’ s hunting and fishing rights — a battle she won . Anderson also presided over the development of Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley in the early 1990s . Revenues from the properties funded much-needed housing , schools and clinics on the reservation .
During her own time as chief executive , Benjamin waged another important battle when Mille Lacs County officials challenged the very existence of the tribe ’ s 61,000-acre reservation , insisting that an 1855 treaty laying out its boundaries was no longer in force . She won that skirmish in 2022 , when the treaty was reaffirmed by the state and federal governments .
Benjamin believes in author Robert K . Greenleaf ’ s concept of “ servant leadership ,” which holds that companies and communities are healthiest under leaders who are “ proven and trusted as servants .”
“ That is an American Indian model ,” says Benjamin . “ We ’ ve lived that value system since the beginning of time with bravery , compassion , love , wisdom , honesty and truth , sometimes called the ‘ grandfather teachings .’”
That model is espoused by Ashley Hemmers of the Fort Mojave Tribe , who led a successful campaign to preserve half a million acres of sacred tribal land in Nevada . Hemmers has described the approach as “ power with ” versus “ power over ,” a model of cooperation instead of control .
Today , gaming is just part of the Mille Lacs business portfolio . Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures owns three hotels in the Twin Cities metro area , as well as a slot machine company , convenience stores , a food franchise and other enterprises .
In a 2023 State of the Band address , Benjamin said tribal members gathered “ not only as survivors , but as architects of our own destiny ,” who live by the Ojibwe motto , “ Bimaadiziwin .”
“ It means ‘ the good life ,’” she says , “ and that ’ s what we all strive for .”
Poverty to Plenty
In past interviews , Lynn Valbuena of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has recalled members of her tribe living without electricity , accepting food from “ welfare trucks ,” and using outhouses with no toilet paper “ but a big , thick Yellow Pages phone book .”
Times have dramatically changed for the San Manuel Band , based in Southern California . Since opening a bingo operation in the mid-1980s , the tribe has built an empire that includes the Yaamava ’ Casino Resort in Highland , San Bernardino County and the Palms Casino just off the Las Vegas Strip , as well as hotels , a gas station and a shopping center .
Valbuena started her career at age 20 as the tribe ’ s first housing commissioner . She is now serving her fifth term as chairwoman .
In the 1960s , she says , there were actually more women than men in San Manuel government , as most of the men worked outside the reservation . “ Our Articles of Association , adopted in 1966 , were signed by six women leaders of the tribe ,” she notes . “ I took a role to help make social and economic progress for our community .” At the dawn of the gaming era , Valbuena worked double shifts : days at the city police department , nights at
“ Women are nurturers and multitaskers — it ’ s in our DNA .”
— Melanie Benjamin , Chief Executive , Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
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