Red Lake Nation Hosts Bemidji Informational Meeting on Upper Red Lake - P3

On Monday April 29, 2024, the Red Lake Tribal Council came to a town known historically by Northern Minnesota's Indigenous Population as Bemijigamaag. (Lake with Cross-waters in reference to the Mississippi) The place was the Eagles Club, the time 7 pm.

They came to speak facts and dismiss rumors about bills before the Minnesota Legislature regarding Upper Red Lake. They also hope to alleviate fears that somehow the legislation will affect local landowners, businesses, or non-Indian fishers. It will not!

Red Lake Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Secretary Samuel Strong and a half dozen tribal council members tag-teamed the presentation. A slide show (attached) includes a fact sheet, history of the issue, treaties/land agreements, Red Lake perspective, invasive species, local concerns, and eco-tourism.

Of particular interest to me are ongoing negotiations with the MN DNR about co-management of the resource, including a partnership to enforce Minnesota State laws regarding invasive species and pollution by fishers entering the east side of Upper Red Lake.

Science combined with Indigenous experience and knowledge just makes sense to me. Too bad we didn't do that out the gate. (Reasoning in attached slide show)

The tribal council then fielded questions from about 50 Bemidji citizens. Most were Indigenous but included perhaps a dozen non-Indians including candidate for State Representative Reed Olson, Beltrami County Attorney David Hanson, Beltrami Commissioner Tim Sumner, (a Red Lake member) and Bemidji City Councilor Emilie Rivera.

Attached is a 35-slide presentation that I encourage you to view and share. It includes details of everything I've written of above. More meetings are scheduled for Kelliher, Washkish, and other communities and organizations.