Bemidji City Council to Host Red Lake Tribal Council for Dinner/Joint Meeting

The Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Darrell G. Seki, Sr. met with Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince for a get acquainted dinner on February 15, 2022. Discussion items included a future joint meeting with both governmental bodies. The agenda would include, but not limited to, economic development and race/cultural relations. Mayor Prince informed Chairman Seki that Bemidji would be pleased to host as the city council is forbidden to meet as a council outside the city.

Then a month later, on March 17, Chairman Seki and the Tribal Council received a formal invitation from the Bemidji City Council signed by the mayor.

It read; “On behalf of the City of Bemidji, my fellow city councilmembers, and our entire staff, I wish to extend an invitation to you and the entire Red Lake Nation Tribal Council, Hereditary Chiefs, and staff to join our full council for dinner and shared conversation on April 11, 2022.

“It would be our honor to host you at the Sanford Event Center beginning with dinner at 5:30 pm and then shifting to a joint meeting at 6:00 p.m. As neighbors and fellow stewards of our region, we believe there are many topics that impact all people in our community, and it is our goal to engage in meaningful conversation with you to explore ways in which we might work together to seek improvement for the benefit of all.”

The Red Lake Tribal Council responded in the affirmative with seven of eight district representatives from Little Rock, Red Lake, Redby and Ponemah to attend along with all three officers, Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Secretary Samuel R. Strong, and Treasurer Annette Johnson. Administrative and managerial staff will also attend from both Councils.