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Grand Opening Held for New Little Rock Community Center - P2

The Little Rock Community on the Red Lake Indian Reservation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a much needed new Community Center. The anticipated event was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The ribbon cutting was held coincidently one year to the day from when the center held it's groundbreaking.

Little Rock Representative to the Red Lake Tribal Council Richard Barrett was the celebration's emcee. A few minutes after high noon, he asked everyone to move outside the building where several Little Rock women held a long and thick red ribbon. At the appropriate time all the women, each with scissors in hand, cut the ribbon in as many places as there were women, each scissor bearer then left with a grand souvenir.

Back inside cultural advisor Darrell Kingbird provided the invocation, a spirit dish having been prepared. Next was an honor song by Darrell Kingbird and sons also known as Eagle Clan.

Barrett, the first of the speechmakers, proudly provided a short history on the community's Center. "We are grateful for the new community center and all those who came together to make this happen, including the Tribal Council, Sam Strong and Red Lake Economic Development, and the Shakopee Mdewankanton Sioux Community. The old center will remain, to be used for overflow or double bookings, and other uses to be determined. It may also be used for kids recreation, community meetings, wakes, and of course it has a kitchen."

Next, Barrett introduced his seatmate Little Rock Representative William Greene who will be leaving the tribal council at the end of the year not standing for reelection. "I am stepping down after 12 yeas on the Council. Thank you for your support all these years. I am pleased at how the community center came together. Cultural influences are part of the design of this center giving it a unique community identity," Greene said. "Functional designs and space needs were part of plan, including a full service, first-class kitchen of which the community can be proud."

Barrett then called upon Red Lake Tribal Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., who addressed the community in Ojibwemowin before switching to English. "This is for your kids to play basketball, etc., a place for the kids to come after school. Your meetings can now be held in your beautiful building. I want to say miigwech to Chairman Buck Jourdain, miigwech to Sam Strong and Economic Development. Now I'm going to sit down because people want to eat," said Seki smiling.

Barrett then called upon Red Lake Economic Development Director Sam Strong to explain how the building came to pass.

"Community meetings were held in Little Rock to explore the needs of the community," said Strong. "A committee concerned with Cultural design principles was formed to incorporate traditional features into the concept design. Thanks to Shakopee, and Little Rock board members. Shakopee deserves much thanks, they also funded the Ponemah Center, the Boys and Girls Club, and the skate park. Redby is next, then Red Lake."

Barrett assisted by Strong then called up Greene, Seki, artist Wesley May, and Nathan Crooks who was representing the Shakopee Mdewankanton Sioux Community.

Artist May then unveiled his new painting, a special gift for Nathan Crooks. May explained the symbolism behind the painting that included the logos for both Shakopee and Red Lake. Chairman Seki then presented several other gifts to Crooks.

"Thank you so much for these gifts and wonderful tribute, I will bring your message back to the tribal council. We look forward to working with you more in the future." Crooks is an EMT in the Shakopee area and is a cousin to former twenty-year Chairman Stanley Crooks, a strong supporter of Red Lake projects. He died in August 2012.

Eyabay played birthday song in honor of Richard Barrett's birthday, and then an honor song to close the celebration.

Barrett later told a little known story, outside of Little Rock, about the center's name and the old portrait near the kitchen. "A woman willed the land to be used for Little Rock Community Center," said Barrett. "This is why the former and this new center bears her portrait and her name, "Sakate" (or Sah-kah-tay) Hall."

 

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