Red Lake Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr. and Assistant Secretary – Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tara Sweeney Sign Historic Lease Agreement

October 22, 2019 - Red Lake Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr. and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney signed a lease agreement for the Red Lake Criminal Justice Complex. The signing took place at the 76th annual NCAI convention in Albuquerque, NM. Under the agreement, the BIA will pay the Tribe much-needed funds to operate and maintain the Red Lake Criminal Justice Complex.

Although the BIA previously provided operations and maintenance funds for the complex, funding levels were inadequate. Under the new lease agreement, in addition to operation and maintenance expenses, the BIA will provide depreciation and replacement costs, as well as principal and interest costs on a loan the Tribe acquired to build the Law Enforcement and Courts portion of the complex.

The lease agreement was negotiated in accordance with Section 105 (l) of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act. The Tribe is currently negotiating a similar lease agreement with BIA for two new fire halls the Tribe recently constructed with a loan from the USDA.

Chairman Seki praised the Red Lake team, as well as Assistant Secretary Sweeney for her and key staff good faith approach throughout the lease negotiations. "Both the federal team and the Red Lake team negotiated this deal in good faith. It was refreshing to see us work together toward a good outcome", Seki said.