Chairman Seki Meets with Lt. Governor Smith

Red Lake Chairman, Darrell G. Seki, Sr., was invited by Minnesota Lt. Governor Tina Smith to a Small Business Round Table held at the Launchpad in the Mayflower Building in downtown Bemidji on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Smith toured the new high tech building at 1:30. Seki and Smith would also have a short private meeting. At two o'clock Smith chaired a Round Table made up of nine young entrepreneurs from the Bemidji area for an hour.

The young business people shared what does or does not work, and how coming together weekly in a kind of coffee klatch at the Launchpad is an innovative and valuable feedback and idea tool for their businesses.

Following the round table discussion, Chairman Seki rose, and observed that there were no natives at the table. He followed that with suggestions of how to remedy that by looking for ways for Red Lake entrepreneurs to work with the group here. The idea was well received by all and many business cards were exchanged and following the meeting. Oshkii-Maajitahdah (New Beginnings) Director Jerry Loud also spoke briefly to the group about working together.

At the close of the meeting, the Lt. Governor and Chairman Seki had a short private meeting. Seki provided position papers regarding Red Lake Schools seeking bonding money, Loud also made a pitch for bonding money for his programs. Before breaking up for the evening, Seki and Smith agreed to a sit-down meeting with Governor Dayton sometime before the legislative session starts on March 8, to discuss issues of importance to Red Lake Nation.