Seventh Annual Drug and Gang Summit Held at Red Lake - P5

The first day of the Seventh Annual Red Lake Drug and Gang Summit was held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Red Lake Seven Clans Casino Event Center. The theme for the 2013 Summit was “Helping the Family and Community."

Over 100 people registered and attended workshops and presentations from 9 AM to 4:30 PM on day one. Participants from Red Lake, Leech Lake, White Earth,and other communities as well, including some students.

Opening Ceremonies began at 9 AM, followed by introductions by emcee Murphy Thomas, the Opening Address by Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr., and the Key Note Address by David Parnell, Facing the Dragon Meth. Prevention, and Guest Speaker James Cross on gangs.

Six Workshops were held during the afternoon session. They included "The Cycle of Life and Balancing the Four Elements" presented by Larry and Violet Stillday of the Ponemah Out Patient Program; "Addicted Babies" presented by Mark Kingbird, Prevention Specialist and Foster Care Parent; "Smack is Back" presented by Rick Moldenhauer, MS, LADC, ICADC, LPCC; "Why Indians Drink the Way They Do" presented by Dr. Cecil White Hat, Ph.D.; "Why SUccess Belonging Healthy Lifestyles Trump the Gang Life Completely" presented by Chris Rogers; and "The Addiction on the Brain" presented by Dr. Daniel Cabbit.

A Round Dance Social, featuring hand drumming and singing took place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. afterwards.

Day two of the 3-day summit features a Key Note address by Rick Moldenhauer, "Smack is Back," Dr. Rosemary White Shield Ph.D, "Native Women's Healings Prospectives," and Meth Prevention by David Parnell titled "Facing the Dragon."

The Summit will wrap up on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at about 12 noon.

MISSION AND GOAL OF THE DRUG/GANG SUMMIT

The mission of the Red Lake Drug and Gang Summit is to educate and mobilize tribal agencies, professionals, schools and community members in a variety of efforts against drugs and crime in our communities. The goal of the summit is to gather and collect information on how to address issues of crime, drugs and violence while working closely with district representatives and the Red Lake Tribal Council.

The impetus for the event began at a special Tribal Council meeting in September 2006. At that time it was announced that the Tribal Chairman was calling for a summit on Methamphetamine/crack cocaine to be held. The Indian & Free Drug Program, Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Red Lake Nation Coalition (White Bison) now the Seven Clans Wellbriety Coalition was instructed to head the summit.

For More Information Please Call: Tom Barrett at 679-3392, Salena Branchaud at 679-3995, Marilyn Mountain at 679-3321 or Kelly Brunelle at 679-3313