Wiidookodaadiyang Giniigaanayi'iiminaaning - “Working Together for our Future”

NOTE: Over the rest of Summer and perhaps into the Fall, we will be publishing stories and many photos of recently completed, current, and future projects in progress on the Red Lake Indian Reservation...for the betterment of the Nation and its members.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians has several million dollars worth of construction going on this Summer and Fall, including; housing, environmental and energy initiatives, elder and youth services, transportation, infrastructure and more.

In this FIRST of the series, the Little Rock Roundhouse is highlighted, along with the new Redby and Ponemah basketball courts.

Little Rock Roundhouse: A Multi-use Building for All.

Richard Barrett, Tribal Council Representative from Little Rock, gave a tour of some of the recent projects developed in the Little Rock District. The construction of Little Rock Roundhouse was a part of the "Red Lake 11,

Housing" project. Rep. Barrett drove through an area where 15 homes of the 30 unit project were located. The road was freshly tarred complete with shoulder. The quiet roadway wound its way back into the woods. Near

Highway #1 was an elegant wood structure, with a large cupola rising above the roof at the center of the building. It was the Little Rock Roundhouse.

"The Roundhouse is beautiful," said Barrett. "The structure will serve for a variety [of] purposes. I¹d be remiss if I didn¹t thank my fellow council members, the Little Rock Community Board, and Red Lake Housing for working together to make this wonderful addition to the community possible."

The Little Rock Community Roundhouse is available for cultural, and community activities, and is well received commented Barrett. And the building has been getting plenty of use. "Elders Frank Dickenson, and Melvin Jones have been conducting traditional teachings, Ojibwe language, and storytelling at the facility," Barrett noted. "In addition, the chemical health and community recreation programs have been utilizing the roundhouse for feasts, drum and dance, arts and crafts, and moccasin game."

Barrett went on to say that cultural activities at the roundhouse are open to anyone regardless of district.

Other events that may be carried on at the roundhouse, cover just about any gathering that members might come up with. These could include family reunions, graduation dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, or Easter gatherings.

On going activities at the Roundhouse and up-coming events encompass; sewing on Thursdays including quilts and dancing regalia, there is a summer safety camp.

"And we use the facility for things like the recent registration for Little Rock Day at the water park," said Barrett. ³We do have one rule so far of no rummage sales though.

According to information provided by Representative Barrett, the Roundhouse was part of the 30 unit housing project recently completed in the district. (Look for a more complete story on housing in a future issue) A total of

$6,128,801 was spent on the project, of which $477,528 was spent on the Roundhouse. More than $5.5 million then spent on the housing. Barrett said that $269,273 came from the Federal Home Loan Bank, $180,000 came from the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (for the ground source heat pumps), $538,536 from the Red Lake Housing Authority, and $5,140,992 from the Raymond James/Tax Credit.