Following Minnesota’s legalization of adult-use cannabis, the Fond du Lac Band took a proactive approach by establishing a tribal cannabis enterprise. ANANG Native Cannabis Co. officially launched as a business with a ribbon cutting at noon in Cloquet. The store is at 1808 Big Lake Road in Cloquet, Minnesota.

With the Band’s sovereign authority, they made a regulated framework for a business that ensures health, safety, and economic empowerment for the community. As they named the business ANANG, from the Ojibwe language meaning “star.” As the star has been a guiding light for a lot of the Ojibwe people, the Band wanted to be a guiding light to this new era of cannabis for the state of Minnesota and their region.

With the ribbon cutting, the store is open. ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm with 15 trained employees to assist the community. To reinforce the wellness and safety of the community, the store has multiple ID security points to make sure that customers are over the age of 21.

The Fond du Lac Band cannabis regulatory commission oversees all operations, ensuring they meet tribal legal standards, and the standards set by Minnesota. Caleb Dunlap, Communications director for the Fond du Lac Band, ensured all the products are properly sourced and safe.

“All of our products, whether cannabis or not, they’re sourced and licensed by compliant producers,” Caleb said. “We also maintain a certificate of analysis or COAs for every item that ensures the safety, potency and transparency.”

Another quote from Chairman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Bruce Savage, spoke on why it is important for the Band to lead with this business.

“As tribal nations take the lead, this venture demonstrates what’s possible,” Bruce said. “We’re creating jobs, sparking innovation, and setting an example of how economic growth can align with cultural values.”

Looking ahead, ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is in the development of both indoor and outdoor cultivation facilities. These sites will focus on supporting biodiversity while maintaining quality and consistent wellness for their customers. In the meantime, connecting with other tribal nations and supporting one another allows their business to start off with a product connected to the history of medical knowledge that the nations have.