From the Chairman’s Desk

Welcome to the first in a series of columns I will be writing over the course of the next several months. My intent is to better inform our tribal members of happenings and issues pertaining to tribal government and to relay pertinent information that may be of interest to those who follow the issues associated with the Red Lake Nation.

In my introductory segment I have included a copy of my inaugural address which was presented on August 10, 2004 at the Red Lake humanities center.

Although it is written in it’s entirety, it will appear somewhat differently to those who heard it in person, because I tend to stray from my notes at times, in order to better emphasize points, include subject matter that I have not written down, or to add a periodic touch of humor. Also, segments of the original written address were not included in spoken word because of time constraints and out of consideration for the audience that was so patient throughout the morning ceremony.

Inaugural address

Red Lake Nation Chairman

Floyd Jourdain Jr.

Tuesday August 10,2004

Boozhoo indiniwemaaganidog, niij anishinabedog,

Hello my relatives, friends and fellow Red Lake Nation members.

On behalf of my wife Alberta and our three sons Phillip, Louis, and Andrew, I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to the Red Lake Nation people for giving me the opportunity to serve as the next Chairman of the Red Lake Nation. I stand before you a humbled and deeply appreciative man.

I would like to extend well wishes to our outgoing councilman and to my opponent in the chairman’s race Roman Stately. Thank you gentleman for your service to our tribe. Miigwetch.

What we are witnessing today, is a historic event that includes a passing of the torch from one generation of leaders to the next. It has come with the blessing of our traditional elders and the stamp of approval by our Red Lake Nation citizens.

I have stated from the beginning that I propose a leadership grounded in Red Lake Nation tradition and values.

I am not an expert in economics, nor am I affluent in the principles of accounting, but ladies and gentleman, I am proud to announce that not only am I Chairman material, I am an Indian leader, Just what our reservation needs right now.

In the era of gaming councils and corporate leadership, it is refreshing to know that native people still place value in leaders who prioritize the protection of sovereignty, culture, and our precious aboriginal homelands.

Their safeguarding has been a source of strength for all past tribal leaders of the Red Lake Band. I intend to continue in that tradition which has become a hallmark of our people.

I am pleased to announce that we have with us today representatives of other Indian Nations that have been honored by their people and chosen for leadership.

Kevin Leecy, the young man who became Chairman of the Boise Forte Band on the Nett Lake reservation.

George Goggleeye Jr,who has been selected by his people to preside over the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Irma Vizenor who made history by becoming the first ever Chairwoman of the White earth Ojibwe Nation.

As crazy as it may sound, had Melanie Benjamin been able to make it here today, she would have to be considered the elder of all the chairpersons in attendance at this time. She too has been chosen by her fellow members to once again lead the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe.

Welcome to Red Lake my brother’s and sisters, we are happy to see you and we are glad you could make it to be with us today.

Today, I along with my fellow council members have been entrusted to safeguard and serve one of the last remaining crown jewels of Indian country, The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. In the spirit of our ancestors whose shoulders we stand on, let us now turn our attention to the work that lies ahead.

With all the authority of my office, I ask the tribal council to join me in pledging and end to an era of deadlock that has seen many of us divided and in some instances turned against one another. It is time for a new beginning.

To the Red Lake people, your voices have brought about the changes that we are experiencing today. By doing so you have also empowered yourselves. It will take all of us to renew our reservation. Make no question about it; today is the day that we move forward.

We have many pressing issues awaiting us and the job will not be easy.

I will serve an abbreviated 2-year term. Many of the problems that we face as a tribe will not be solved in that short amount of time, but nevertheless, today we must begin. Besides, I intend to be around for a long, long time.

A lack of housing, High unemployment, increasing populations, Crime, alcohol and drug abuse and loss of cultural pride are just some of the issues that the tribe is faced with.

These are immediate concerns that directly affect our members in their everyday lives.

In the near future, The tribal council will address issues regarding the management of our natural resources, and matters pertaining to tribal, state gaming initiatives.

These issues will demand thorough assessment and strict attention by the full tribal council along with regular reporting to the general membership so that our members can carefully weigh potential risks as well as rewards the tribe may encounter when dealing with such.

These are just some examples that will require assistance from our tribal members in order that the council can better decide outcomes that are acceptable and right for our tribe.

One thing is for certain, under my administration; major issues that affect us all will pass before the tribal members for consideration before the council acts upon them.

We have all learned a hard and valuable lesson as to what can happen if we do not.

Over the next several months we will be conducting an assessment of tribal programs, and businesses for effectiveness and accountability in order to assure that appropriate standards of service to members are being met.

I propose Increased involvement by the tribe in education. Aside from all the obvious benefits, education will play an important part in combating the devastation inflicted on our communities by Drugs and alcohol. Also, I intend to pursue improved relationships and partnerships with the schools. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa has a responsibility to the children of our reservation. We cannot afford to be absent from the education of our future generations.

I propose the development of Community councils in all districts and in the urban areas to better address the needs of our communities and to act as a direct link to our district representatives.

I will push for Improved urban member attention and will provide a shuttle service to urban members to attend our monthly general meeting.

Also, this administration will see a first ever state of the band address that will be delivered here at home, in the urban areas, in print, and by mail to our entire tribal membership.

I will be calling on increased elder input in tribal affairs, the development of an elder advisory council, and improved services to Red Lake Nation elders.

I will implement a Youth component that will feature the formation of a Young people’s council to develop future tribal leaders and improved commitment to the lives of reservation youth on the part of tribal leaders, schools, and communities.

I will ask the tribal council to support me in creating a Language & Cultural preservation Dept: It is essential that we step up our efforts to ensure that we retain our ojibwe language, explore the possibilities of erecting our traditional Roundhouses and bringing back our cultural immersion camps.

With that in mind I would like to acknowledge the runners who carried the sacred eagle feather staffs from the narrows around the lake to the Ponemah point. Seven days of prayer covering 90 miles that was designed to protect our lake and our people. Even though this occurred during my campaign, it was conducted as much more than a political ploy. It was conducted in homage to our reservation, our ancestors, our members and our sacred lakes.

Sam Strong, Phillip Jourdain, David Barrett, Mick Fasthorse, Dan Smith, Nicholas Sumner, Henry Sumner Jr, James Cloud Jr, and Tom Barrett Sr.

Miigwetch to all of these people.You will all go down in history as the warriors that ran around the lake for the betterment of the people. Of course there were many more that ran, biked, walked, and followed along in a caravan, but these people carried the sacred eagle staffs.

The incoming council members are very fortunate to be stepping in at a time when the tribe is conducting assessment and evaluation of our law enforcement and judicial systems. You can look forward to my support in these areas so that our public safety needs are adequately met.

I could go on all day, There are so many issues and so much work to be done. I have only briefly touched on a handful today.

In closing, I would like to thank the good people of the Red Lake Nation for recognizing in me, the qualities that are worthy of our highest office, Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

I will do my best to provide the standard of leadership that our tribal members expect and deserve.

Chi miigwetch.