Pioneer Letter: Red Lake issue belongs to candidates, not GOP Party

Recently, articles have been written that would lead a person to the conclusion that issues concerning the Red Lake Nation are a Republican Party issue and that the Republican Party would like to see Red Lake come under state control. Nothing could be further from the truth. Candidates, on their own have made Red Lake a campaign issue and they do not speak for the Republican Party of Beltrami County.

The Republican Party of Beltrami County sees our neighbors as part of our community and would not consider shunning them by our lack of consideration or legislating control over them. If there are issues that need to be resolved, then the resolution necessitates cooperation of the parties involved, hence working together for a solution where both parties agree.

Please read the GOP platform as well as the DFL platform to see what the parties believe and then decide which party stands for your values.

Collin Peterson claims to be “pro-life” and he should be commended, but no one ever accuses the Democratic Party of supporting that stand.

Please do not interpret the Red Lake issue as being a Republican issue.

Kenneth O. Glidden

Bemidji