Press Statement from the Red Lake Tribal Council - Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Today (9/12/17) at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Red Lake Tribal Council, Lake of the Woods County Commissioner Edward Arneson, (who represents people who live at the Northwest Angle) appeared before the Council and Chiefs to seek support for an airport. Red Lake Tribal Chairman, Darrell G. Seki, Sr., made the following statement with further statements by Redby Rep Al Pemberton, Secretary Darwin Sumner and Little Rock Rep Richard Barrett. The Commissioner did apologize and promised to make good on past transgressions.

Message to the Lake of the Woods County Commission

The Band was working in good faith with the County, the State, and Cong. Collin Peterson to resolve the road that is in trespass on the Angle. Five years ago, a number of your constituents made highly offensive, racist remarks to our Tribal representatives at community meetings on the Angle and in Baudette. You have still not resolved your trespass across our lands. And yet here you are today, asking for something more. More of our land, more of our cooperation. If we are going to be able to work together, it cannot be the County always asking, always receiving. The Band must have its needs on the Angle met. If the day comes when you and your constituents are able to deliver on your commitments made in good faith negotiations, perhaps we can begin discussions on all of the issues on the Angle. Approaching us on less than all the issues shows that that day is not today. Have a good day.