Four Groundbreakings at Red Lake on Monday, April 30, 2018

Four groundbreakings for new tribal facilities begins at noon on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Southeast Corner field near the Red Lake Hospital. Three of the groundbreakings will happen simultaneously, the new Red Lake Dialysis Center, and the new Chemical Dependency Treatment Center, which will be located there near the hospital, and a groundbreaking for the new Red Lake Fire Hall that will be built across the street within eyesight. Then tribal leadership and members will travel to Ponemah for a 2 pm groundbreaking of the new Ponemah Fire Hall.

Expected speakers and guests include Red Lake Tribal Officers, Representatives from USDA, and Eugene "Bugger" McArthur, Jobs & Community Development Facilitator.

Synopsis/Background of Groundbreaking Constructions

New Red Lake Dialysis Center

We will begin construction of a new state of the art dialysis center. It will be constructed next to our hospital and will be connected to it via a corridor. It will be owned and operated by the Red Lake Nation. It will provide approximately 10 jobs and provide additional revenue for the Band. We will utilize our partnership with the University of North Dakota to hire a dialysis doctor to oversee and administrate the operation of the facility.

We have received funding from the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development program to construct and purchase the necessary equipment for the center. We will use income derived from the services offered by our dialysis center and third party billing, to pay for the facility.

Red Lake Nation Chemical Dependency Treatment Center

We will begin construction of our new Red Lake Nation Chemical Dependency Treatment Center soon. The new treatment center will be a 20,136 square feet facility, designed to provide 16 beds, and serve both men and women. The new building will be built in the community of Red Lake. The facility will consist of the following:

• 16 beds/rooms for clients

• Two large circular therapy/group rooms

• Fitness Room

• Craft Room

• Office Space

• Intake/assessment Room

• Small Theatre Room

• Two Living Rooms

• Dining Room

• Kitchen

• Shower and Sauna Rooms

The mission of the Red Lake Chemical Health Programs is to enhance the well-being of all Red Lake Tribal Members through alcohol and drug abuse prevention, education, intervention, and treatment. All programs are based in our Anishinaabe culture and philosophy to strengthen the minds, bodies, and spirits of the members, families, and communities.

We have received funding from the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development program to construct our new treatment center. We will use income derived from the services offered by our treatment facility and third party billing, to pay for the facility.

New Red Lake and Ponemah Fire Departments

We will begin construction of our Red Lake and Ponemah Fire Departments. Our community fire departments are responsible for providing fire suppression, prevention, inspections, safety education, and investigate all suspicious fires. It is imperative that our facilities meet national standards to facilitate better response time and preventive activities. Public safety provides the foundation needed to build the required infrastructure for a community and a nation.

The Red Lake Fire Hall will have four stalls for fire trucks, four smaller stalls for other vehicles, training room, gear room, offices for dispatch, fire chief and assistant, and fitness room. Ponemah will have one stall for their fire truck, training room, gear room, and office space for the fire chief and assistant. Comprehensive Health will also provide garage space for six transportation vehicles, four bays for the ambulance center and a fitness room.

Acquired funding for the purchase of two new fire trucks

We have ordered two new fire trucks to serve the community areas of Ponemah and Red Lake to provide adequate fire safety and protection to our people. Both grant funds and finance were acquired to make these purchases. We anticipate delivery of the vehicles mid-summer.