presorted us postage paid permit no. 4656 i pag e 4 pag6 ...pag e 4 pag6 14 nett lake, minnesota -...
TRANSCRIPT
Arson is the suspected cause of a fire that
destroyed the Bois Forte Tribal Government
Headquarters in Nett Lake early July 20.
The Bois Forte Fire Department received a call
at 3:01 a.m. and fire fighters arrived on the
scene within minutes. They were aided by Orr
Fire Department.
Accounting, Administration, Enrollment,
Finance, Grants, Human Resources, IT,
Planning, Registrar/Energy Assistance and
TERO offices were destroyed in the blaze.
However, many offices had back-up record
systems, and most files were stored in fire-proof
cabinets and are expected to be recovered. Band
members can be assured that records for
children’s trust funds files are backed up outside
of the building that was destroyed.
“This is no doubt a setback,” Tribal Chairman
Kevin Leecy
said in a
statement
July 20, “but
we have a
strong team
that will pull
together, and
our tribal
government
and services
will continue.
I ask Band
members to
be patient as
we work to
reopen all of
our program
and services offices at full
strength.”
Tribal Secretary David Morrison,
who serves on the ambulance
team, called Finance Officer Kim
Greiner shortly after arriving at
the fire scene. Greiner instructed
Morrison to try and save the AS
400 Server that holds the back-up
files for the accounting and
finance staff as well as several
other programs. Morrison and
other fire fighters were able to rescue the server
before flames engulfed the building.
“Saving that system was a huge break,” Greiner
said. “We may be slower than usual on accounts
payable this week. But payroll and 1854
payments, scheduled to go out Aug. 14, will not
be late despite the destruction of the accounting
staff offices.”
The RTC gathered at 9 a.m. the morning of the
fire and met with commissioners to develop an
action plan to keep programs and services
available. Displaced employees will
be given temporary offices in the
nearby Housing, DNR and School
buildings. The space will be crowded,
and new procedures will need to be
set up, but all were determined to
keep their offices productive and
make the most of the situation.
Most phone and email were down July
20, but IT staff scrambled to set up
new communications and restored
connections quickly. (No phone
numbers or email addresses were
changed.) Employees were asked to
stay away from the building, marked
off with crime tape, while fire fighters
searched for hot spots. The State Fire Marshal
traveled from Bemidji and the FBI sent a field
officer to investigate the cause of the fire. Arson
is suspected.
Bois Forte is offering a reward of up to $14,000
for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the person(s) responsible for the
fire. Call the Bois Forte Police Department at
218-757-3237 or 1-866-638-0905. Individuals
who wish to remain anonymous can also call
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The Minnesota Arson hotline is 800-723-2020.
B O I S F O R T E N E W S P.O. Box 16 Net t Lake , MN 55772 • b fnews@ bois for te-nsn .gov • Visit us! www.boisforte.com A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Bois Forte
Insid
e
Page 4 Page 6 Page 14
NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 2009 VOL. 27 NO. 4 www.boisforte.com
Presorted
standard
Us Postage Paid
MPLs, Mn
PerMit no. 4656
Fire destroys government
headquarters, arson suspected
Flames engulf the Tribal Council Headquarters in the early
morning hours of July 20.
Ground Breaking Ceremony for
Government and Community
Services Facility
Come join the celebration on
Tuesday, August 11 at noon in the RTC parking lot.
Everyone is invited to a traditional Ceremony for
the ground breaking, followed by lunch.
Bois Forte fire fighters check for hot spots in the
ruins of the Tribal Government building.
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 10:59 AM Page 1
Page 2 • Bois Forte News • August 2009
National and State News
B O I S F O R T E N E W S A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
The hundreds of thousands of people who will
pass through the new TCF Bank Stadium at the
University of Minnesota every year will be
treated to a vibrant illustration of
Minnesota’s Indian tribes. The
stadium’s largest entrance, named
the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza,
honors the state’s 11 tribes. It is the
result of a $10 million gift from the
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux
Community (SMSC), ardent
advocates of inter-tribal
collaboration. It marks the largest
private gift ever to the U’s athletic
program.
The University of Minnesota is
unveiling the Tribal Nations Plaza on
Aug. 17 at 1 p.m., inviting American
Indians to get a sneak peak before it
is filled with Gophers fans.
The plaza features 18-foot sky markers, soaring
glass structures that display flags, facts and
images from each tribe, including Bois Forte.
“We thought it important to support this cause as
a way to encourage a better understanding of the
history and role of Indians in Minnesota,” said
SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks. “The U of
M is a fine institution of higher learning and
what better place to promote the role of Indians
in this state.”
The new plaza is beginning to elicit rave
reviews. “This will be one of the most vibrant
and visible parts of TCF Bank Stadium and will
serve as a lasting tribute to the
importance of Minnesota’s Indian
people,” said U of M Athletics
Director Joel Maturi.
In addition to the construction gift,
SMSC donated $2.5 for U of M
students. It will be matched by the
university to create a $5 million
endowment that will offer
scholarships to American Indians
and students in need. “The
endowment will provide
opportunities for more Indian
students to seek out a college
education at the university so that
they can better serve their tribal
communities,” Chairman Crooks
said. “We need Indian doctors, lawyers, teachers,
accountants and leaders to help Indian people be
self-sufficient.”
Tribal Nations Plaza part of new university stadium
This monument sign marks the entrance to Tribal Nations Plaza at the U of M’s
new footbal stadium.
Nearly eight months after Election Day, the
Minnesota Supreme Court ruled June 30 that
Democrat Al Franken is the rightful winner of
the state’s second Senate seat. He was sworn in
July 7.
The unanimous ruling found little merit in former
Sen. Norm Coleman’s legal claims. Point by
point, the Supreme Court rejected claims that
inconsistent practices by local election officials
and rulings by a lower court during the recount
trial prevented perhaps thousands of valid
absentee ballots from being counted. The
Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s April
ruling, showing that Franken won by 312 votes.
It is a miniscule lead, compared with more than
2.9 million votes cast on Nov. 4, 2008.
In a press conference the day of the Supreme
Court ruling, then Senator-elect Franken
announced the four committees he was assigned
to: Health, Judiciary, Aging and “Indian Affairs,
which I asked for,” he said.
Three weeks prior to the Supreme Court ruling,
Franken met with Indian leaders at the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Government Center in Prior
Lake. There was a public
meeting followed by a
private reception for Tribal
leaders, attended by Bois
Forte Tribal Chairman
Kevin Leecy.
As Chair of the Minnesota
Indian Affairs Council,
Chairman Leecy was
invited to speak at a July
11 victory celebration for
Sen. Franken at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in St.
Paul.
Leecy praised Franken’s
request to serve on the
Senate’s Indian Affairs
Committee. Leecy told the more than 1,000
people gathered, “… Senator Franken has
already taken action, by requesting and winning
a position on the Senate Committee on Indian
Affairs. The Tribes are deeply moved by Senator
Franken’s commitment to work for all
Minnesotans, and we could not be more
enthusiastic to work with you.”
Leecy added, “But first, after a hard-won fight,
it’s important to stop and recognize when one has
achieved a tremendous accomplishment. That’s
what this celebration is all about. On behalf of
everyone in Minnesota’s native community we
offer our heart-felt congratulations to
Senator Franken.”
Finally…it’s Senator Franken
Senator Franken (center) thanks Kevin Leecy and Glynn Crooks for speaking
at his July 11 victory party.
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 10:59 AM Page 2
Bois Forte News • August 2009 • Page 3
RTC News
B O I S F O R T E N E W SA U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Band DNR introduces Iraqi engineers to the “Swamp Devil”In June Bois Forte Band Department of Natural Resources staff members hosted some
unusual visitors: engineers from Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources. The seven Iraqis had
traveled halfway around the world to learn more about aquatic vegetation cutters like the
Band’s “Swamp Devil,” which has been instrumental in clearing dense weeds and bog
from Nett Lake.
Iraq wants to restore rice-
growing wetlands that were
drained by Saddam Hussein.
The country has purchased 10
sets of cutters and barges from
the Wisconsin company that
supplied the Band’s equipment.
The company asked Bois Forte
to demonstrate the Swamp
Devil so the Iraqis could see it
in action.
For two days, Band barge
operators and a biologist showed the Iraqis weed removal techniques that have improved Nett
Lake water quality and benefited wild rice crops. The Iraqis also learned about repairs and
maintenance, and the Band offered insight into its natural resources management process.
With this information, the Iraqis will be better prepared for the massive project ahead of
them: clear vegetation and debris, replant white rice crops, manage water levels, and
reintroduce irrigation canals…all in a war-ravaged zone.
This was not the first time the Swamp Devil has assisted others. The Band also leases the
equipment and its operators to others, such as the Mole Lake Reservation in Wisconsin, which
helps clean more lakes and generates revenue for Bois Forte.
On June 1, the RTC agreed to terms on an
exclusive 5-year contract with Ferrellgas to
lock in on lower propane fuel costs for Band
members, employees and tribal owned
businesses.
The fixed price for transport gallons will be
renegotiated each May for the remaining four
years of the new agreement. This year’s
prices will be $1.169 per gallon from June 1,
2009 – May 31, 2010. The price will be the
same for all Bois Forte Band members and
employees of all Bois Forte Band entities.
In addition to the lower per gallon price,
Ferrellgas will waive all delivery fees
(hazardous materials and fuel surcharge) and
tank lease fees. Bulk tanks will be switched
out at no charge (for standard switch-outs;
switch-outs that require special equipment
may carry a service charges).
As part of the agreement, Ferrellgas will
provide Fortune Bay with standard and
emergency propane service 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Maintenance and repairs of
Ferrellgas-owned equipment will be
performed at no charge, and maintenance and
repairs to non-Ferrellgas-owned equipment
will be performed at the standard labor rate of
$89.00 per hour.
Band members and employees need to call
Ferrellgas at 800-450-5701 or 218-326-1292
to sign up to take advantage of the new
agreement. Band members who live outside
of the reservation will qualify for the reduced
propane costs if you live in an area that
Ferrell serves. If you are not sure what
service area you live in, contact Ferrellgas at
800-450-5701 or 218-326-1292 to see if you
can order propane at the reduced rate
negotiated by the RTC.
RTC negotiates 5-year agreement forlower propane charges
Mike Connor, top right, poses with guests from Iraq and the
equipment manufacturer staff.
The Iraqi engineers got a hands-on demonstration of weed
removal techniques.
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 10:59 AM Page 3
Page 4 • Bois Forte News • August 2009
Nett Lake
B O I S F O R T E N E W S A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Congratulations tothe 2009-2010
Saa Gi Ba Ga Royalty!(photo left)
Dan Isham, Senior Brave
Dalene Chosa, Senior Princess
Travis Isham, Junior Brave
Brooklyn Isham, Junior Princess
Jermaine Boshey, Mini Brave
Rhonda Hoaglund, Mini Princess
Friday - Warm ups Saturday - Grand Entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Feast at 5 p.m. Sunday - Grand Entry at 1 and Feast at 5 p.m. M.C.– George Strong Spiritual Advisors - Gilbert Smith & Calvin Ottertail Arena Director – Beemus Goodsky Invited Drums - TBD Specials - Bois Forte Royalty Coronation
“Moon of the Bursting Buds”
June 5th — 7th, 2009 Powwow Grounds, Nett Lake, Mn General public & all drums are welcome. Drums must have 4 or more singers to register. Honorariums available for the 1st 15 registered drums. Absolutely no drugs or alcohol allowed.
Security on-site 24-7. For more information call 218 757-3261.The Bois Forte Powwow Committee and the Bois Forte Tribal Government are not responsible for lost or stolen property. Please bring your own firewood.
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 11:00 AM Page 4
Bois Forte News • August 2009 • Page 5
B O I S F O R T E N E W SA U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Vermilion
Sixty people who attended the JuneVermilion Powwow got up early Sunday,
June 21 for a one-mile health walk sponsoredby the Vermilion Wellness Center.
June Powwow
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 11:01 AM Page 5
B O I S F O R T E N E W S A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Page 6 • Bois Forte News • August 2009
Urban Office
Summer Picnic atMinnehaha ParkSpecial thanks to the RTC, the
Advisory Board, Fortune Bay andBarb Brodeen for a great picnic.
Mii gwetch!
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 11:02 AM Page 6
Bois Forte News • August 2009 • Page 7
B O I S F O R T E N E W SA U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Elders
In the last
Superintendent’s report
for the Vermillion Lake
Indian Boarding School
(VLIBS), things looked
very different than they
had just 10 years earlier.
The year was 1919, and
WWI had just ended,
leaving the nation in a
money bind. As usual, the
first things to go when
this happens are Indian programs. It was the
same with boarding schools. Though some
Indian Boarding schools have remained still, it
was during this time period that many closed.
Right up to the closing of the LVIBA, there was
hope it would remain open. Consequently, the
administration had little time to find openings in
other schools for the students who came from
several different areas. A breakdown of where
the children came from listed:
Nett Lake 86
Fond du Lac 36
Hayward, WI 3
Grand Portage 1
Webster, WI 3
Cheyenne River, SD 2
A letter writer from Duluth on September 22,
1919 complained that two sons had been at
VLIBS, but were not eligible to attend Indian
schools since VLIBS was closing. The mother
stated that she had no home for them, and they
had to go to Indian boarding school.
Letters in reply stated that the children would
have to go to an orphanage if they could not go
to the Indian schools. The response from the
Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs
suggested helping her secure admission for her
children in a state institution. Two of her
younger children were already there.
By 1920 the children who had attended VLIBS
were scattered from local county run schools in
their areas, to other Indian boarding schools
which remained open such as Haskell,
Pipestone, Flandreau, Hayward, Chilocco,
Tomah and Carlisle. These schools were located
from Pennsylvania to South Dakota. Many of
the youth never returned to their Tribes.
VLIBS filled the void for educating the youth in
our area, but there were many unintended side
effects. Because the children were from such
varied locale, many of the parents would come
to stay nearby so they could see their children.
Eventually some became members of our Bois
Forte Tribe.
Since this was also the time in which allotments
were being completed, the Federal Government
encouraged the local Tribes who had other
Indians in their areas to make them Tribal
members so they could receive allotted land. In
addition, many of the youth paired up and once
they were together, children of their unions
became Tribal members as well, so it is during
this time that many previously non-member
names appear on the Bois Forte rolls. The
mixing bowl had begun.
Vermillion Lake Boarding School: the last days
J. Kay Davis
August Elders Committee meeting
The Elders Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month, alternating between
Nett Lake and Vermilion. The meetings begin with lunch. This month the meeting
is scheduled for Monday, August 10, at the Nett Lake Community Center.
Vermilion Boarding School photo courtesy of the
Minnesota Historical Society.
Happy August Birthday, Elders!
Kenneth Barney 8-13 Fond du Lac
Jackie Chavez 8-04 S. Dakota Sioux
Clarence Day 8-02
Gary Donald 8-02
Helen Drift 8-10
James Gawboy 8-17
Lela Goodsky 8-24
Vickey Hackey 8-31
Eugene Hanks 8-14 Leech Lake
Janice Hartland 8-20
Flo Huisentruit 8-23
Trudy King 8-13
Dale Leecy 8-19
William Light 8-28
Dorothy Mattson 8-06
Floyd Morrison 8-14
Pam Sherman 8-31
Beverly Steel 8-12
William Tibbetts 8-03
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 11:03 AM Page 7
Page 8 • Bois Forte News • August 2009
A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Culture
B O I S F O R T E N E W S
For three decades Rose Berens has kept a dusty
old box, stuffed with pictures she couldn’t bear
to discard. She rescued it from Nett Lake School,
blocking the route from closet to
garbage.
“What do you want them for?” someone asked
when she intervened.
“I just keep things,” Rose answered. “I like to
keep old things.”
And now those old things have a new meaning.
They were recently on display at the Bois Forte
Heritage Center, which Rose directs. They are a
vivid tribute to the Elders who were students at
the Nett Lake School between 1949-1953. The
pictures are supplemented by school work –
arithmetic problems, art projects and penmanship
samples. The time capsule evokes fond memories
and historical insights.
Fern Isham delighted to spot so many
familiar faces. “I know all of them,”
she said. “It’s just amazing for me
to see. It brings back a lot of
memories.”
Included in the pictures was her
husband, Fred, as a third
grader. “When we were
growing up I could not stand
him,” Fern recalled with a
laugh.
“My sister told me, ‘He wants you to
notice him.’”
And eventually, the persistent boy succeeded.
“When he was 6-years-old, he told his mom,
‘I’m going to marry Fern.’ And we did.”
Dorothy Strong discovered an old drawing
of hers on display. The teacher had asked to
draw something beautiful, so Dorothy
illustrated flowers and a tea cup. Half a
century later, Dorothy continues to cultivate
her artistic talent, creating intricate beadwork
and rugs.
Bev Miller, the heritage center’s gift shop
supervisor, said the uncovering of so many old
pictures and school projects was “exciting.”
Pictures of young boys with Mohawks have
caused considerable amusement, she noted.
“There’s been a lot of laughter over the
Mohawks. Someone told me, ‘We didn’t know
we looked so funny!’”
The entertainment is mixed with education. A
striking amount of the schoolwork centers
around cultural events: sugar bushing, wild
ricing, hunting, fishing and pow wows.
On the heels of the May community
celebration of the renovated Nett Lake
School, the Elders Exhibit shows that Bois
Forte has always valued education.
Today, more than ever, the Band is
continuing that old commitment, as woven
into seven generations. The Band has
managed to keep its foot in both worlds,
advancing formal education while
preserving its rich heritage.
The Elders Exhibit was taken down
in July to make way for a new exhibit of photos,
“Wild Rice Moon” from the 1936 wild rice
harvest, on loan from the Winton Historical
Society.
The Heritage Center is frequently adding new
exhibits and art. If you haven’t been by lately,
stop by and visit this summer. Band members are
not charged to enjoy the Heritage Center, which
is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through
Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday.
Elders Exhibit: old pictures displayed at heritage museum
62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 11:03 AM Page 8