Tribe tries to block resort's liquor sales

The Beltrami County Board must decide whether to grant a liquor license to a resort six miles from an American Indian reservation where it is illegal to sell or possess alcohol.

County commissioners will vote next week on whether to allow liquor sales at Roger’s Resort, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Owner Chris Freudenberg, who already sells 3.2 percent beer and wants to lower insurance costs, was on track to receive his license until Red Lake Band of Ojibwe members showed up at a hearing last week to lobby against it, he said.

Tribal Council member Gary Nelson asked commissioners to set up a buffer zone around the Red Lake Indian Reservation in which no liquor licenses can be granted. The tribe opposes the sale of alcohol because its members have a history of alcoholism, said Floyd Jourdain, its former chairman.

Two years ago, the tribal council passed a resolution opposing the establishment of liquor stores near the reservation. The council was exasperated by the number of liquor vendors just outside of the reservation that sold to tribal members.

“Alcohol is the number one killer of Indians,” Jourdain said. “And it continues to be the number one killer here in Red Lake.”