UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS STUDENTS VISIT RED LAKE FISHERIES AND RED LAKE NATION FOODS
Chief Sam Smith, Joe Parkhurst, Amber Parkhurst, John Hanson, and Bette M. Bailey accompanied University of St. Thomas students on their tour of the Red Lake Fisheries and Red Lake Nation Foods on Friday, February 15, 2008. The students were gathering more information for writing a business plan. The students from the University of St. Thomas are consulting with the Red Lake Urban Members to compile a feasible business plan where Red Lake Band’s marketing, packaging, and distribution of fish, foods and crafts could be done by members of the tribe and need not be outsourced to non-Indian companies.
We have quite a diverse group of students: Binaya Acharya from Nepal; Seth Rosenstein, St. Paul; Ben (Xiaohua) Wang from China; Charles Osuji from Nigeria; Busarin Prasittisopin from Thailand; John Brillhart, Minneapolis; Laura Kalies, Minneapolis; and Lorin Mislan from Canada.
Herman Lussier, DNR, graciously showed the students around the DNR building and introduced them to the DNR staff. The DNR staff was pleasant and answered the student’s questions.
Allen Pemberton, Redby Representative, provided lunch for the students, and spent several hours with the students sharing his knowledge of Red Lake, the fish and fishery. It is so nice having a representative who is very accessible and helpful to his friends and constituents.
Richard Barrett, Little Rock Representative, joined us for lunch and spent time with the students.
During lunch, we had a visit from Rebecca L. Wierschke, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Red Lake. Rebecca explained to us how the boys and girls are going to learn how to turn fish compost into the best biodegradable fertilizer ever and learn how it relates to natural fertilization of fruits and vegetables. It was so exciting to hear from Rebecca that the children are going to be involved with developing a product that could be marketed. People are concerned about using natural, biodegradable, nonpollutant fertilizer in their gardens. Those unable to garden like buying fruits and vegetables that are fertilized with natural ingredients.
Joel Rhode, Manager, Red Lake Nation Foods, was great with the students. Joel joined us at DNR, had lunch with us and spent the afternoon with the students showing them around Red Lake Fisheries. We are very grateful for all the time and information he gave to the students.
Charles Barrett and Joel Rhode explained the fishery equipment to the students. Charles then dazzled the students showing them the quickest, neatest, boneless filleting artistry they will ever see in their lives.
After the fishery visit, Joel Rhode showed the students around Red Lake Nation Foods. At Red Lake Nation Foods, the students met Robyn Johnson who is such an asset to Red Lake Nation Foods because she is so pleasant to all customers. Joel showed the students the gift baskets and where they are assembled. The students were given an overview of how the products are made and were shown where the products are stored.
The last stop on the tour was the Seven Clans Casino, Thief River Falls. The students were treated to a very nice buffet. After dinner, they toured the Casino and the Casino gift shop.
The students thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the Reservation and learned so much from all the people who were so kind, generous with their time, and willing to share information with them.
On behalf of the Red Lake Urban Committee, thank all of you so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness in giving so much of your time to the University of St. Thomas students and those who accompanied them. |
