LeRoy Fairbanks

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY WELLNESS, LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE

LeRoy Fairbanks is an enrolled citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and an advocate for Native youth, healthy families, and stronger communities. He currently serves as Director of the Community Wellness Division for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. In this role, he helps lead a growing, community centered approach to youth development, recreation, fitness, prevention, and personal and community wellness.

LeRoy played a central role in developing and establishing Leech Lake’s Happy, Healthy, Safe Youth Division, helping bring youth focused programs and services together under a shared vision. The division was created to expand opportunities for young people through culture, leadership, prevention, life skills, health, and wellness. This work has since become part of the broader Community Wellness Division, which is helping Leech Lake build a more coordinated and culturally grounded approach to wellness across generations.

From 2012 to 2024, LeRoy served as the District III Representative on the Leech Lake Tribal Council. During his 12 years in elected leadership, he worked on issues affecting families, youth, housing, economic opportunity, community development, and tribal governance. Before being elected, he served as Leech Lake’s Deputy Director from 2010 to 2012. He began his professional career in human services, working as a chemical health counselor, case manager, and program manager between 2004 and 2010. He also served on the Leech Lake Housing Authority Board of Commissioners from 2008 to 2012.

Throughout his career, LeRoy has worked to create lasting opportunities for Native people and communities. He founded Leech Lakers Youth Sports to increase access to positive athletic and developmental experiences for young people. He also helped establish the Leech Lake Endowment Fund and founded the LeRoy B. Fairbanks and LeRoy Staples Sr. Endowment Fund to support long-term community investment and opportunity.

LeRoy’s leadership has extended beyond Leech Lake. He was appointed by the Governor of Minnesota to serve with the Minnesota State High School League and to the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council. His past service also includes the Minnesota Indian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the NDN Collective- Collective Abundance Regional Advisory Committee, and the University of Minnesota Crookston Indian Advisory Council, where he served as chair. He was also a member of the first Bush Foundation Native Nation Rebuilders cohort and participated in Blandin Foundation leadership training.

LeRoy’s personal and professional passions include youth development, social equity, community and personal wellness, cultural identity, and creating systems that help Native people thrive. Across his work, he brings together lived experience, public leadership, community relationships, and a commitment to turning ideas into meaningful action.

LeRoy resides in Cass Lake, Minnesota, with his wife, Becky, and their five children.