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Lac du Flambeau Today
By the People, for the People
Tiffany and Bondi Side with Town in Lac du Flambeau Roads Dispute
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi have intervened in the long-running conflict over road access on tribal land.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, has enlisted U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to weigh in on a dispute between the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the town of Lac du Flambeau over access to roads on tribal land. The dispute has been ongoing since 2023 when the tribe placed barricades on four roads after negotiations over easements broke down. A federal judge later ruled the roads are public, but the town is now seeking reimbursement for payments made to the tribe.
Why it matters
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between tribal sovereignty and local government access rights, as well as the political dynamics at play as Tiffany, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, seeks to intervene on behalf of the town against the tribe's interests.
The details
In 2023, the Lac du Flambeau Band placed barricades on four roads after negotiations over easements between the tribe, town, and title companies broke down. The town, which sits within the tribe's reservation, cannot be accessed without crossing tribal land. The town had been using the roads without payment, which the tribe considered trespassing. The town paid at least $600,000 for road access, and the tribe eventually removed the barricades. However, the federal government later sued the town on the tribe's behalf. A federal judge ruled in favor of the town, stating the roads are public and must remain open. Now the town is requesting reimbursement for the payments made to the tribe.
- In January 2023, the Lac du Flambeau Band placed barricades on four roads.
- In August 2023, a federal judge ruled the roads are public and must remain open.
- In February 2026, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany testified before the House Judiciary Committee about the dispute.
The players
Tom Tiffany
U.S. Representative and Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor.
Pam Bondi
U.S. Attorney General.
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
A Native American tribe in Wisconsin.
Town of Lac du Flambeau
A town located within the Lac du Flambeau Band's reservation.
John Johnson Sr.
Lac du Flambeau Tribal President.
What they’re saying
“The perpetrators of this, the tribe out there, they demanded compensation from the town. I would call it extortion.”
— Tom Tiffany, U.S. Representative (House Judiciary Committee)
“We would more than welcome working with you.”
— Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General (House Judiciary Committee)
“To mislead the public by calling the tribe 'perpetrators' is not only irresponsible, it is a direct attack on our sovereignty, our treaty rights and our reputation as a sovereign government.”
— John Johnson Sr., Lac du Flambeau Tribal President (Statement)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide whether the town should be reimbursed for the payments made to the tribe.
The takeaway
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between tribal sovereignty and local government access rights, as well as the political dynamics at play as a Republican gubernatorial candidate seeks to intervene on behalf of the town against the tribe's interests.
