Red Lake Band receives funding from Minnesota Department of Education, Expanded Food Access for Minnesota Children and Families Grant Program

REDBY, MN October 29, 2020 - The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians received funding from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Expanded Food Access for Minnesota Children and Families Grant Program. The funding will increase meal access for children and adults living on the Red Lake Indian reservation that are impacted economically and experiencing food insecurity by invasion of the COVID-19. The funding will provide access to a variety of nutritious and culturally-specific foods such as fish, wild rice, blueberries, etc.

The Red Lake Band will concentrate on increasing the number of meals to children, adult and senior adult populations living on the reservation. Meals will be prepared and delivered Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September to December 20, 2020. The communities lacked transportation resources. To alleviate this barrier, the Tribe requested and received four new cargo vans (one for each of the four district/communities) equipped to transport meals to the children and families living on the reservation. They were accepted by the each District community coordinator as pictured.

The funding required purchasing from emerging farmers (emerging refers to something that is starting to exist). Red Lake Nation has many farmers and agriculture businesses. Agriculture has been a foundation for Minnesota and our Tribal economy. Agriculture plays a role in the Tribe's culture and heritage, and the community members feel connected to agriculture through the many traditional crops grown. The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) states, "American Indians are the first farmers". The grant will allow for the purchase of walleye fish and other fish products from the local Red Lake Nation Fisheries, as well as other local vendors. The reservation has many American Indian vendors who produce and sell wild rice, blueberries and other cultural specific foods. Buy Indian owned is a priority for purchasing required food and supplies.

Pictured left to right are the Community Coordinators: Bruce Taylor, Ponemah District, Mary Omen, Red Lake District, Adrianne Beaulieu, Little Rock District, Mike Cobenais, Redby District

Miigwech to EVERYONE INVOLVED from securing the funding to cooking and delivering the meals!!