Urban Area of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is a special services district serving the large number of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe living in the Twin Cities urban area. Originally in the Band's statutes, the urban area was established and defined as being Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, providing TANF services to Band members in those three counties. While TANF services are still at the core for services provided to Band members living in the urban area, the Urban District has grown in providing other tribal supportive services, before available only on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation proper. With a cooperative agreement with the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Urban Area provides affordable rental housing units to eligible low-income Band members. Demographics As of the census of 2020, the combined population of Mille Lacs Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land was 4,767. The population density was . There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of . The reservation has a significant non-native population due in part to the allotment and sale of Ojibwe lands in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In 2020, the racial makeup of the reservation and off-reservation trust land was 60.6% White, 31.8% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.9% from other races, and 6.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race. Communities Though only nine communities are cited in the Band's statutes, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has ten formal communities and additional six informal communities. Ten formal communities: Vineland, Minnesota (Nay-ah-shing [Neyaashiing]) Isle, Minnesota (Chi-mini-sing [Chi-minising]) East Lake, Minnesota (Mi-ni-si-na-kwang [Minisinaakwaang]) Minnewawa, Minnesota (Manoominikaan-zaaga'iganiing) Sandy Lake, Minnesota (Ga-me-ta-wa-ga-gi-mog [Gaa-mitaawangaagamaag]) Sandstone, Minnesota (A-sin-ni-ga-ning [Asiniikaaning]) Lake Lena, Minnesota (Ah-sho-moog [Aazhoomog]) Hinckley, Minnesota (Ga-shi-gwa-na-bi-go-gog [Gaa-zhiigwanaabikokaag]) Pine City, Minnesota (Ne-shi-gwa-go-gog [Ne-zhingwaakokaag]) The Twin Cities (Gichi-oodenaang) Six informal communities: Brainerd, Minnesota (Oshki-oodenaang) Onamia, Minnesota (Gibaakwa'igaansing) Cove, Minnesota (Wiikwegamaang) Wahkon, Minnesota (Zaagawaamikaag-wiidwedong) Moose Lake, Minnesota (Mooz-eskani-zaaga'iganiing) Duluth, Minnesota (Onigamiinsing) Education The tribal school is Nay Ah Shing School, with the Abinoojiiyag School (Nay Ah Shing Lower School) and Nay Ah Shing Upper School at the Vineland Campus, and Pine Grove Academy at the Lake Lena Campus. In East Lake, the tribe operates Minisinaakwaang Leadership Academy, a Minnesota charter school. Significant number of tribe's children also attend public schools in communities in and around the Inddian Reservation. See also Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Aaniin Ekidong: