9/05/2025

ASHLAND - The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) office in Ashland, Wisconsin, will remain open, reversing a U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) closure plan. The decision came after opposition from the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Employing 40 staff, the Ashland office is vital for six Lake Superior Chippewa bands, providing land trust, real estate, and law enforcement support. The GLITC cited harm to tribal sovereignty and service delays. Baldwin confirmed the overturned lease termination, calling the office a “vital point of access.” The Ashland office was among some 20 slated for closure, a move that would have saved DOGE $1.5 million. The BIA is now securing continued service space.