Last of Second Round Chairman's Community Meetings Held at Redby/Ponemah - P2

The last, of the "Second Round," of "Chairman's Community Meetings" was held at Redby Center Monday, February 23, 2015, with a late start at 7:30 pm, and Ponemah on Wednesday, February 25, 2014, at 6 pm. Discussion, presentations, and questions centered round economic development and jobs. A fair amount of time was spent on the possible production of hemp and/or medical marijuana on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

As with the previous meetings, about 50 community members joined Red Lake Tribal Council members Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Secretary Donald Cook, and Treasurer Annette Johnson to give feedback and ideas. Tribal Council members from each community also attended the meetings. Staffs from Chemical Health, School Board, Public Safety, Red Lake Inc., and Economic Development were also on hand.

Willie Strong provided the invocation at Redby, while Chief Greeting Spears gave the invocation at Ponemah. Eyabay was the drum at Redby, Black Bear Crossing at Ponemah.

Red Lake School Superintendent Anne Lundquist and School Board member Roy Nelson attended all meetings and spoke briefly at each.

Topics of Discussion

As was the case at the two previous community meetings, each of the Tribal Council members introduced themselves and gave a short report on council activities. Seki started off each session by pointing out a high priority for the council being addressed at both federal and state levels. "We need the power to arrest non-Indians and non-members who would bring drugs onto the Red Lake Reservation."

Seki also reiterated at each meeting, "Whether you vote eventually in referendum to produce marijuana as medicine or hemp as material, we still must fight this battle of keeping meth, heroin, and other dangerous drugs off our lands. Whatever the outcome of this research, or with the research of possibly making alcohol available at River Road and Warroad, there WILL be a referendum! You will decide!"

At each session, Seki called upon Red Lake Executive Administrator Charles Dolson do facilitate the remainder of the meetings. Dolson had staff post large papers on the walls of the centers with five questions.

1. Marijuana and Hemp?

2. What kind of industry does the Band want to ban?

3. What kind of industries does the Band favor?

4. Any other ideas to increase employment and boost our economy?

5. Drug testing?

Each meeting included handouts. Economic Development handed out several informational papers on hemp/marijuana including "Pro's for Medical Marijuana, Con's for Medical Marijuana, Differences Between Industrial Hemp and Marijuana, and Roles in the Marijuana Market...a sheet showing the complex roles in marijuana and hemp production. Another sheet described farming Hemp, and what kinds of products are obtained from seed and products from the straw of the plant.

Dolson's staff passed out a new sheet of "Industry Examples" made up from previous meetings with additions by staff. Headings included; energy, industry, health, agriculture, hospitality, retail, tourism, housing, education, timber, and fish and wildlife.

Caution was voiced by some councilors on Federal government rules regarding marijuana/hemp production on Indian lands.

(NOTE: The Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country released by the US Department of Justice is printed in its entirety at the end of this report.)

At each meeting Community members in general opposed industries that are harmful to the environment e.g. mining, and favored industries that are consistent with the environment, resources, culture, and land ethic of the people of Red Lake Nation. Members spoke both in favor and in opposition to medicinal marijuana and hemp for a variety of reasons. Many ideas were exchanged on other types of employment including home-based business and solar energy.

Tribal Councilor Comments

Seki started the meeting by introducing himself in Ojibwemowin, which several council members commented on the efforts of Ojibwemowin revitalization continuing, some commenting that they wished they'd paid closer attention to the language their grandparents spoke.

"We know we want jobs, jobs, jobs," said Seki. "Each district wants jobs. Good things are happening, the new tribal college is on schedule and will include a new powwow ring. We hope to bring the tech college back and bring back Oshki-maajitaadaa to its' original purpose of education. We need your help, we need your ideas. What are your thoughts?"

Commenting on hemp/marijuana, Seki pointed out that the media wants to know what the tribe is going to do in this regard. "We've elected to do a feasibility study," he said. "Medical marijuana would NOT be sold to members or individuals, but to the state or to medical professions. We are NOT talking about recreational use."

He added that drug testing has been on the books since 2001 during the Whitefeather administration, although not enforced. The council is working on some amendments but we're going to do it, he said.

Cook commented that he was glad that the council was holding these meetings. "If you've got an idea or complaint, I hope you'll set us straight. Some good things are happening, let's work together, don't hesitate to talk."

Cook then asked for show of hands on who supported the growing of hemp that garnered a large majority, medical marijuana not so much...maybe a quarter of those present? Drug testing for tribal employees got a strong showing of hands. "As we think about hemp/marijuana we must remember it needs money for start-up, but it will mean jobs for our people, liquor could mean even more revenue for the tribe," he said.

Johnson said that there would be more rounds of community feedback. "We'll be back, we need feedback. We can't do it alone, she said. "We'll now be going to Duluth and Minneapolis to get their feedback. It's good to see school people, prevention people, and others here. Drugs and suicide are bad on the reservation but if we work together, we can solve these challenges."

Nelson said he doesn't support medical marijuana, and regarding alcohol went so far as to say that he'd like to see the Rez be designated as a dry county, saying he knows its not a cure.

Pemberton said that Team Industries of Bagley wants workers, but we have this problem with transportation.

Membership Comments and Ideas

Dolson then began to facilitate discussion. "It's important that everyone is heard," he said pointing to the five issues posted on the wall the first being hemp. "Medical marijuana can't reach the black market or we're in trouble, either product or money. Hemp on the other hand is a different story, that won't get you high."

Some Member Ideas

• Get kids involved in this process. What kind of jobs do our youth want?

• Have a youth center or game room

• Work toward a holistic diet, hemp is part of that.

• One woman suggested it might be okay to have alcohol at Thief River and Warroad, as long as it stays off the Rez. She also suggested any money from alcohol be dedicated to youth. She also said she had no problem with medical marijuana; lets bring in the money she said.

• Get a survey on-line, a place for feedback, to answer the "five questions."

• Start up a radio station

• Get the vo-tec back

• Another member said we should play on our culture. Visitors to casinos have said that we are friendlier and more relaxed than workers at other casinos.

• Energy, windmills, dams, solar

• Need a heritage center, one woman commenting she doesn't even know about her own history

• Bank or buy a business off-rez in Bemidji to sell crafts and Red Lake Foods

• Other suggestions included a Music studio; Vets center; Better roads; more and better day care; remodel River Road; and a detox.

Seki thanked everyone for coming and for providing input and promised more meetings around April. Then came a traveling song before the crowd sat down for an excellent meal.