By Michael Barrett

Red Lake Net News

      For the Red Lake Indian Reservation, there has been so much history being written everyday that it’s almost impossible to keep up with it. But on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, the historic day changed from a Regular Tribal Council Meeting at the Red Lake Humanities Center, into a day-long celebration.

      Floyd “Buck” Jourdain Jr. was sworn into office as Red Lake’s fifth Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, taking his oath of office from Chairman George “Billy” King, who was the only Chairman ever appointed to that office by the Red Lake Tribal Council.

      King, a Hereditary Chief on the Council and one of seven such seats, agreed and was appointed as Chairman after the death of Chairman Gerald F. “Butch” Brun in April 2003. A Constitutional requirement of an appointment by the Tribal Council, he served until a successor was elected by the 10,000 members of the Band, where Jourdain defeated Roman “Ducker” Stately in a run-off election in July 2004.

      Stately, who at the time was a Red Lake Representative, had to resign from that office in order to run for Chairman, which caused his seat to come up for election two years earlier than normal.

      Outgoing Representatives Jim White and Stately made the motion for the Tribal Council to accept the results of the election as certified by the General Election Board, and Jourdain took the oath from King.

      Chairman Jourdain acknowledged Hereditary Chief King and thanked him on behalf of his family, his supporters, and the entire Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and presented King with a Pendleton blanket as just a small token of appreciation for the fine job he has done over the tenure of the appointment.

      “This is just a small token of our appreciation to Bill,” Jourdain said. “I’ve learned a lot from him over the last few days, and the Council has been real gracious in making the resources available to himself.”

      Jourdain said he had observed King over the last couple of years and learned a lot from him.

      The incoming and reelected representatives were called forward and Jourdain commented on the election itself.

      “I just want to congratulate all of the people who took part in the election this year,” Jourdain said. “All of you, just by stepping forward, and assuming the responsibility and the commitment to wanting to serve our tribe–every single one of you deserves to be commended and appreciate your efforts. We really do.”

      Allen Pemberton, reelected to his second term as Redby Representative, and who had just recently lost his father, Duane, was first to be sworn in by Chairman Jourdain.

      “I’m very honored to be serving my second term for the best district on the Red Lake Reservation,” Pemberton said after he took the oath.

      Glenda Martin, newly elected Ponemah Representative, took the oath, and she was the first woman ever elected as a Representative from that District. Little Rock is the only district that has never had a woman elected as their representative.

      Two other Representatives, Donald “Dudie” May and Donald Desjarlait, both from the Red Lake District, would also be serving their first term of office.

      A pipe ceremony was conducted by Spiritual Leader Tom Stillday, assisted by Hereditary Chief Greeting Spears, and Black Bear Crossing sang honor songs.

      “I’d like to have you people, everyday, when you get up, put out tobacco to the Creator,” Stillday said. “Because the Creator will answer your call for help. Because we need that. There’s too much things going on around us. Even our world is still at war. There’s people that’s joining the Armed Forces, our children...Think about that.”

      In Jourdain’s inaugural speech to the audience of more than 1000, which included Red Lakers and a long list of dignitaries and guests, he said in listening to elders he spent a lot of time in trying to find the right words for the day.

      “As my college professors can attest to, I work best under pressure, so I spent half the night in that little room up there writing an inaugural speech,” Jourdain began. “One of the reasons why is because I want to put to rest the rumors that somebody else writes my stuff for me. So, with my elders today, I’m going to talk a little bit in our language, but just a limited–I’m a limited speaker of our language. But I’m a student of our language and it’s something that I struggle with everyday to try and learn what I can.

      “My grandparents were fluent speakers of the Ojibwe language, and the only time I ever heard the language is when my grandma, my aunts would come over, sit on the bed and visit. And we’d come over there and say, Grandma, what is that you’re saying? Go on, go on and play...So that’s the way it was for me when I was growing up.”

      Jourdain spoke in Ojibwe.

      “I’m not going to talk about what that means, I’m just welcoming all our friends, relatives, dignitaries, and on behalf of my family, Alberta and our three sons, Lewis, Andrew and Phillip, I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to the Red Lake Nation people for giving me this opportunity to serve as the next Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indian,” Jourdain said after speaking in Ojibwe. “I stand before you, a humbled, and deeply appreciative man this evening. And you can tell this was written at night too because I didn’t change that little part there.

      “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 services to our tribe.

      “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 is happening all across Indian Country as we speak. It has come with the blessing of our traditional elders, and the stamp of approval from our Red Lake Nation citizens. I have stated from the beginning that I intend to provide a leadership grounded in Red Lake Nation tradition and values. And it really makes me feel good today to see the Black Bear Crossing drum group here today bringing their strength and power to the people today. Miigwetch, Black Bear Crossing. I also want to say thank you to Tommy J. and Greetings for providing the ceremony for us this morning as well.

      “I’m not an expert in economics, nor am I fluent in the principles of accounting, but ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that I am an Indian leader–exactly what our Reservation needs right now...

      “In the era of [gaming] councils and corporate leadership, it’s refreshing to know that Native people still place value in tribal leaders who prioritize the protection of sovereignty, culture, and our precious aboriginal lands. Their safeguarding has been a source of strength for all past leaders of the Red Lake Band. I intend to continue on in that tradition, which has become a hallmark of our people.”

      Jourdain said they had representatives of Indian Nations here today who have been respected, held in high regard, and chosen by their respective Nations for their leadership. He acknowledged Kevin Leecy, a young man who became Chairman of the Bois Forte Nation; George Goggleye Jr. of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Band; and Erma Viznor, who made history by becoming the first ever Chairwoman of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation.

      “Welcome my brothers and sisters to Red Lake, we’re happy to see you here, and we’re glad that you could make it to be here with us today,” Jourdain went on. “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 that we stand on, let us now turn our attention to the work that lies ahead of us.

      “With all the authority of my office, I ask the Tribal Council to join me in pledging an end to an era of deadlock that has seen us divided, and in some instances, turning against one another. Now, today, marks a new beginning. Let’s move ahead together, all of us..

      “For the Red Lake People, your voices have brought about the changes that are occurring here today. By doing so, you also empowered yourselves. It will take all of us to renew our reservation and our homelands and the people. There’s close to 10,000 of us spread across 36 states. We’re everywhere. It’s time for our new beginning, so we need to renew our ties and get back together and start working together.

      “We have many pressing issues that we’re going to be faced with, and the job will not be easy. I will serve an abbreviated two year term. Many of the problems that we face as a tribe will not be solved in that short amount of time. We will make mistakes. We look forward to meeting those challenges, and I look forward to working with this Tribal Council, working hand-in-hand to address some of the issues that face us and affect all of our tribal members on a daily basis. Besides, I intend to be around for a long, long time...

      “A lack of housing, high unemployment, increasing populations, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, loss of cultural pride–these are just some of the issues that the tribe will be faced with and attempting to deal with in the upcoming days ahead. These are immediate concerns that affect our members on all levels. In the near future the Tribal Council will address issues regarding management of our tribal resources and our sacred lake, and also 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 issues.

      “These are just some of the examples of issues that will require assistance from you, the tribal members, in order that the Council can better decide outcomes that are acceptable and right for our tribe. We’ve all learned a hard and valuable lesson as to what can happen if we do not heed the advice of our elders and our people. So we’ll take those lessons and we’ll move ahead starting today.

      “Over the next several months we’ll be conducting an assessment of tribal programs and businesses for effectiveness, and to insure appropriate standards of service are being met. Also, this administration will see a first-ever State of the Band Address, delivered by myself, 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 improve commitment to the lives of reservation youth on the part of our leaders, schools and communities.

      “I would just briefly like to acknowledge some very special people who are here today. The staff that you saw me holding, I actually really had a dream about this. I went over to Duluth and there was a man sitting in the park when I went over to visit some of our tribal elders and some of the tribal people in the Duluth area, and he was sitting there at a table holding his staff. He said, I got something for you. I don’t know why, but I made this thing, and all of a sudden I’m in the middle of making this and it just dawned on me that every good tribal chairman needs a staff. So I’m going to give you this staff.

      “And I made a promise to him, that when I get back to our reservation I am going to take that staff and I’m going to offer tobacco in our sacred lake, and I am going to run every step of the way from the West Narrows to the Ponemah Point... (Story available on rlnn.com.)

      “This was more than a political ploy or a way to drum up support. Of course, hey, I’m lookin for all the votes I can get, right? But this was a run that was designed to protect our people, to protect our sovereignty and our sacred lakes and lands. I would like to acknowledge the runners if they are here today.”

      He acknowledged Sam Strong, saying he was one of the runners who would go down in history as one of the young Warriors who carried that staff around the lake.

      Jourdain said he was very proud of his son, Phillip, who had also made the run.

      “Love you son,” he told him.

      He also acknowledged David Barrett, a young runner from the Little Rock District, and Mike Fasthorse Jr., who had received a bad gunshot wound a year or so ago, but ran on the run and would not quit, and finally Danial Smith.

      “My wife is back there,” he said. “Jeana, did you see me dancing there; I bet you didn’t know I still had those moves,” he said to her. “The incoming council members are very fortunate to be stepping in at a time when the tribe is conducting assessments and evaluations of our law enforcement, our judicial systems–you can look forward to my support in your efforts ladies and gentleman, to ensure that our public safety needs are being met. There are a lot of issues out there now and everyday when I go out and say my prayers. I pray for our people, for our youth.

There are chemicals, there are drugs, all kinds of stuff going on in our communities that we need to address, and I look forward to working with the council on addressing some of these issues. I have some good ideas–too many of them to share with you today–but you will be hearing about them in the near future.

      “In closing, I would thank all the good people in the Red Lake Nation, for recognizing in me, the qualities that you feel fit for the office of Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. I am forever in your debt, I’m truly grateful, and I just do not have the words, all of them today–how I’m feeling right now, I’m just kind of zinging up here. It just really feels good that we’re all here together.

      “I would just like to thank the council members for being here and supporting everybody. Once again, Billy, Judy, and the rest of the Tribal Council members–they have a tremendous, tremendous load and weight to carry. It’s going to be a good job, a good undertaking, and I look forward to your continued support.”

      He apologized for not having the list of all of the guests there, but he acknowledged Mike Meuers, who said he appreciated his help, along with Frank Moe.

      “I don’t want to get started, because I’m going to miss a lot of people,” Jourdain said. “Anne Herman, one of the elders–she’s in her 90s–sitting back there at the back of the room. One of our eldest surviving members who lived in the Washkash area for many years and knows a lot about that area. We can draw from her expertise. There’s dozens of elders out here. All of us have good qualities, gifts and knowledge that we can share. I look forward to meeting with everyone of you.”

      He said he received two eagle feathers over the course of his campaign and both of the ladies were at the ceremony.

      “Ladies, I appreciate that–it’s given me strength,” he said. “And I will do my best to bring honor to those eagle feathers...Benita Whitefeather over there, miigwetch, and also Delores Fitch Hanson–thank you for your support. She said she had a dream that I was standing in front of a bunch of people and they were all cheering. That must be today, eh?”

      Jourdain said “miigwetch” again to everyone, and explained what they were going to do yet, that they were going to recess from the Tribal Council Meeting at the Humanities Center and reconvene back at Tribal Headquarters for the rest of the meeting.

      “Miigwetch everybody–thank you very much,” he said in closing, drawing cheers once again from the crowd. All during his speech it had drew cheers and applauding.

      The entire Tribal Council lined up to be congratulated, and it was obvious just about everyone felt the power of the day and perhaps what lied ahead. It wasn’t a Tribal Council Meeting like any ordinary meeting–but one of a celebration, an appreciation, or even that Red Lake was going to change.

      Things change when people work together to try to change things, and by the spirit of the moment, the Red Lakers there seemed to show a very strong sense of confidence in Chairman Jourdain, a commitment to try and do their part in helping him, and there was a tremendous feeling of togetherness–which is something Red Lakers sometimes lacked.

      Chairman Jourdain’s speech was very powerful and meaningful. He stood there with confidence, commitment, gratitude and pride as he delivered it, and it was hard to believe he had just been sworn in as the new Chairman–it was like this young man of 40, the youngest Chairman ever elected to lead the Red Lake Band–had been in the position before and knew exactly what he was doing.

      Jourdain will walk in the footsteps of Red Lake’s past leaders, Roger A. Jourdain, Gerald F. “Butch” Brun, Bobby Whitefeather and George “Billy” King–who were without a doubt great leaders of their time and men who led in turbulent times.

      In Chairman Floyd “Buck” Jourdain’s time, too, he is faced with even more responsibilities because the Red Lake population continues to grow, housing is still a major problem, high unemployment, federal and state funding cuts, and crime and drug abuse almost at an epidemic.

      These issues won’t simply go away in a matter of months and even years, but there appears hope that they will. Sometimes hope is all it takes to set the wheels in motion, and the people at the ceremony seemed to feel a great sense of that.

      There were handshakes, hugs and gifts presented during the congratulating, and it was touching to see a little boy with his mother–who couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6 years old–hand Chairman Jourdain a piece of his candy as a gift.

      A luncheon took place following the ceremony, with the Tribal Council reconvening back at Tribal Headquarters for the rest of the meeting, where Jourdain looked comfortable and confident during it, and a concert that featured Indian Country, Black Bear Crossing, Robbie Romero, along with a few other local musicians which drew about 500 people later that evening.

      During that concert Chairman Jourdain was still full of energy, and not only was he Red Lake’s new Chairman, but he sang and played a mean bass during one segment of the program.

      It was a celebration for Red Lake, and undeniably one that was filled with the promise of hope.

      Jourdain will hold the office until 2006, at which time the elected position will come up once again as it normally would have under the Red Lake Constitution. He has already committed himself to being around a long time.