Congressman Peterson Visits with Tribal Council

The campaign season is upon us, and with that U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson visited with the Red Lake Tribal Council at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday March 13, 2012 to give an update on happenings in Washington D.C.

Peterson came at the request of Tribal Secretary Donald Cook, and Red Lake Tribal Treasurer Darrell G. Seki, Sr. during a recent trip to the Nation's capitol.

The Congressman gave an update on Tribal roads, and complained how earmarks keep getting in the way of important legislation. He also commented on land issues the tribe has been working on with Red Lake Representative Donald May, regarding land transfers etc. at the Northwest Angle.

Accompanying the Congressman was his son, Sean Peterson who asked to speak to the Tribal Council on his campaign for endorsement by the DFL to run in the new Senate District 2A against current Representative Dave Hancock. Red Lake has several delegates to the endorsement convention that will be held at Clearbrook High School on Saturday April 14th at 10 a.m.

After going around the table shaking hands with Tribal Council members and hereditary Chiefs, Sean Peterson introduced himself. "I am seeking the DFL endorsement and would appreciate your support," he said.

"I have been a science teacher at Bagley Jr Sr High School for 17 years and I have coached there for the same length of time. I am currently the Head coach for the Bagley/Fosston Cross Country teams and for the Bagley/Fosston Track and Field teams," said Peterson. "I am a proud member of Education Minnesota and I will work hard to ensure our schools in Minnesota get the support they need to be successful in helping the children of Minnesota get a great education."

Sean Peterson is a 1988 graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He grew up in Detroit Lakes and Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School.

Peterson, the eldest son of the Congressman has two daughters, Karis, 11 and Karly age six. "I want the future to be better for them. Many of the policies being discussed at the Capitol now are not in the best interests of the residents of northern Minnesota, let alone for Indian Country, and I want to be a part of the change."

Peterson pointed out that by having a Congressman as a Father, he's been around politics and campaigns for public office for much of his life. "I've done a lot of the things needed for a campaign to be successful such as door knocking, putting up signs, licking envelopes and so on. I am willing to work hard to ensure that we can get the MN House of Representatives back under DFL control, he said.

Peterson concluded that although he is familiar with Indian Country as his father serves both Red Lake and White Earth Nations, he admitted he still has much to learn and looks forward to perhaps being the first representative to pay attention Red Lake Nation in the manner it deserves since Roger Moe. "I won't be catering to the off-reservation citizens while forgetting about the important issues of Red Lake," he concluded.

Two others are seeking DFL endorsement to represent Red Lake, Mayor Mark Edevold of Bagley, and Roger Erickson, a retired teacher from Baudette. So far no Red Lake candidates have announced for the seat.

The Red Lake Political Education Committee estimates that Red Lake voters may make up up to 25% of the voting population of the new district. "We'd like to see a Red Lake member run for this seat, if not this time some time soon," said Committee co-chair Gary Fuller. "If no one runs this time from Red Lake, Red Lake sure if going to have a powerful influence over who the winner is. We did with former Rep. Brita Sailer, and now we are in even a better position of influence."

Information and contact information on the candidates seeking DFL endorsement, as well as Rep. Hancock can be provided by contacting co-chair Fuller at the Red Lake Tribal Archives.