Community Meeting Held at Red Lake

The third round of Red Lake Nation Chairman's Community Meetings began at 6 PM, Monday November 22, 2015, at Red Lake Nation Tribal College. Due to competing events, about 30 community members joined Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr. and Treasurer Annette Johnson. The first Chairman's Community meeting was held at Little Rock on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Staff representatives from four tribal programs, Jerry Loud from Oshkii-maajitahdah (New Beginnings), Cheri Goodwin Director of Family and Children's Services, Harvey Roy of Red Lake, Inc., and Dana Lyons from Public Safety joined members of the tribal council to provide information and get feedback from Little Rock citizens. Tribal Administrator Charles Dolson conducted the meeting.

Highlights:

• A short report from Red Lake Schools Superintendent Anne Lundquist and Principle Susan Ninham. The schools are forming partnerships with New Beginnings, Red Lake College, Public Safety, and suicide prevention.

• Loud reported on a Class C commercial radio station in the works, 100 KW and should reach Thief River and Bemidji. The call letters have been registered with the FCC as WRLN 105.7 FM. Other initiatives include classes in welding, auto maintenance,

• Lyons reported on the need for more staff. Public safety will be adding two more officers soon.

• Roy spoke of expanding Red Lake Farms, a larger grocery store, and a seed store.

• Goodwin reported on The Tiwahe Initiative. Tiwahe, which means "family" in Lakota, symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things and one's personal responsibility to honor family, community and the environment. Red Lake was one of only four tribes in the country chosen for the Initiative. Tiwahe tribes working with the BIA will get extra flexible funding to reduce poverty, substance abuse, suicide, and more.

• Seki spoke extensively about the Enbridge trespass and a bit about the negotiations the tribe is conducting. He also mentioned the development of a 30-mile trail from Red Lake to Ponemah, and "we want the east boundary back."

• Jobs & Community Development Facilitator, Eugene "Bugger" McArthur cited a litany of new jobs and Economic Development initiatives he's currently working on. They include; solar energy farm to provide electricity, income, and jobs for the band, new fire department buildings at Red Lake and Ponemah along with two trucks, two Chemical Health treatment facilities for women and men, and a half way house, a 12 unit dialysis center the tribe will manage, and a golf course at Seven Clans Red Lake which should lead to hotel and gaming floor expansion.

Other discussion items included; Temporary Assistance for needy families (TANF), Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO), housing, a possibility of manufacturing cigarettes to help diversify the economy, the Enbridge trespass, a new welding training program, child placement services, a swimming pool as part of a new Red Lake Center, a bowling alley, and a movie theater.

The next Chairman's Community meeting will be held in Redby at Redby Center on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served and everyone is welcome.

The remaining district schedule is as follows:

• Redby District - Dec. 2 at 6 PM at the Redby Center

• Ponemah District - Dec. 7 at 6 PM at the Ponemah Boys & Girls Club (Note: Change from December 9)