The Star of the North in a New Era of Cannabis in Minnesota and the Great Lakes Region
5/12/2025 1:17:28 PM
Fond du Lac Band Launches ANANG Native Cannabis Co. with Grand Opening Memorial Day Weekend: The Star of the North in a New Era of Cannabis in Minnesota and the Great Lakes Region
Ojibwe-owned dispensary focused on wellness, sustainability, and economic opportunity opens May 19 in the Duluth/Superior area of Northern Minnesota.
FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA CLOQUET, MN (May 9, 2025) The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest enterprise ANANG Native Cannabis Co., a tribally owned and operated dispensary, set to open its doors to the public on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 1508 Big Lake Rd, Cloquet, MN. A four-day Grand Opening Celebration will take place from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25 during Memorial Day Weekend, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food vendors, live music, promotions, and community events. This event is exclusively for those 21 and older.
As Minnesota's adult-use cannabis market continues to evolve, the Fond du Lac Band is proud to lead alongside other tribal nations in the state by launching its own dispensary. ANANG Native Cannabis Co. brings wellness, and economic opportunity to the region while enforcing the Band's sovereignty commitment to self-determination, cultural preservation, and responsible business practices.
The Name ANANG: A Guiding Light for the Future
The name ANANG, meaning "star" in Ojibwe, carries deep cultural significance for the Band. It represents both direction and possibility honoring ancestral knowledge while guiding the way to new opportunities. Just as the stars have led the Ojibwe people for generations, ANANG Native Cannabis Co. embraces a forward-looking approach to wellness, health, and recreational cannabis.
As part of Minnesota the "North Star State" ANANG is proud to shape the future of cannabis in the region. Focused on quality, accountability, and sustainability, the company blends trusted cultivation methods with community values and a customer-first approach. Through its products, operations, and partnerships, ANANG promotes high standards and environmentally conscious practices, positioning itself as a leader in Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry.
A New Star Rises: ANANG's Cultural and Economic Vision
ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is more than just a dispensary - it represents the Fond du Lac Band's vision for a sustainable, thriving future. The ANANG logo, featuring a modern star, symbolizes commitment to sustainability, wellness, and responsible cannabis practices. The logo serves as a symbol of ANANG's positive impact, not only on the local community but also on the broader region.
At its heart, ANANG is a space where culture, care, and community come together. It provides high-quality cannabis and a welcoming environment for connection, healing, and shared growth.
Why Cannabis? Why Now?
Follow Minnesota's historic legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2023, the Fond du Lac Band took a proactive approach by establishing a tribal cannabis enterprise. With its sovereign authority, the Band developed a regulatory framework that ensures health, safety, and economic empowerment for the community.
ANANG is built on three key commitments:
Sovereignty: govern and engage in new industries on its terms.
Sustainability: Practicing environmentally responsible cultivation and packaging.
Community Wellness: Creating an inclusive, educational, and welcoming experience for both new and experienced cannabis consumers.
Products with Purpose: From Soil to Soul
Rooted in the soil. Crafted for the soul.
ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is committed to cultivating high-quality, organic cannabis through environmentally conscious and culturally rooted practices. Grounded in the philosophy that wellness begins with the earth, ANANG Native Cannabis Co.'s approach reflects the Fond du Lac Band's longstanding relationship with the land and natural cycles.
Cannabis at ANANG is grown in living soil a biologically rich environment containing
microorganisms, fungi, and organic matter that support plant health and development. This soil-based method avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, allowing each plant to fully express its genetic potential, including terpene profiles and cannabinoid content.
The use of pure Minnesota spring water, naturally mineral-rich and free from chemical additives, further enhances cultivation by delivering essential nutrients in a clean, sustainable manner. These methods result in vibrant, aromatic buds known for their potency, purity, and connection to the region's ecosystem.
To ensure year-round, sustainable production, ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is currently developing both indoor and outdoor cultivation facilities. These sites are designed to support biodiversity while enhancing product quality and promoting customer wellness through consistent, high-quality cannabis offerings.
Guided by the principle "From Soil to Soul" ANANG Native Cannabis Co. grows with purpose producing cannabis that reflects the integrity of the land, the science of cultivation, and the well-being of people from start to finish.
Economic Impact and Tribal Innovation: Strengthening a Regional Future
ANANG Native Cannabis Co. represents more than just a business - its a strategic investment for Fond du Lac's economic future and regional prosperity. Today its serves as major investment for the Band, prioritizing local labor, regional partnerships, and sustainable development.
ANANG Native Cannabis Co. is expected to have a positive impact on job creation, with ripple effects extending beyond the Fond du Lac Reservation to Carlton County and the Duluth/Superior region.
"As tribal nations take the lead, this venture demonstrates what's possible," said Bruce Savage, Chairman of the Fond du Lac Bank of Lake Superior Chippewa. "We're creating jobs, sparking innovation, and setting an example of how economic growth can align with cultural values"
As the largest employer in Carlton County and a key economic force in northeastern Minnesota, the Fond du Lac Band continues to be a stabilizing presence in the region. Through ANANG, the Band its charting its own course in Minnesota's cannabis industry -
building on its legacy and creating economic opportunities for both Native and non-Native communities.
Media Preview: Exclusive Look Before Public Opening
Members of the media are invited to an exclusive preview of ANANG Native Cannabis Co., offering an early opportunity to explore the dispensary before it opens to the public:
Friday, May 16, 2025
10:00 AM 12:00 PM
1508 Big Lake Rd, Cloquet, MN
The event will feature:
Note to Media: We ask members of the press to attend this preview event rather than covering the grand opening itself, to ensure a focused opportunity for interviews and storytelling, which cannot be guaranteed on the grand opening day.
RSVP by Tuesday, May 13 to: Caleb Dunlap at calebdunlap@fdlband.org
