Grand Opening for American Indian Resource Center held at BSU

      The Grand Opening of the $2.6 million American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) at Bemidji State University, began on September 27, 2003 with an Indian Community Pow Wow and Honoring Feast, and went an entire week, ending with the reception that followed the ribbon cutting ceremony on October 4, 2003.

      In between were speakers, panel discussions, workshops, banquets and an Open House.

      Some of the speakers included Gerald Gipp, Executive Director of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, Renee Gurneau, Red Lake College President, Judy Roy, Red Lake Tribal Council Secretary, Yvonne Novack, MN Indian Education Director, Delores Cloud-Hammitt, Indian Education Director in Red Lake, Stewart Desjarlait, Red Lake’s Superintendent of Schools, Dale Kildee, U.S. House of Representatives, Doyle Turner, White Earth Reservation Chairman, Gary Donald, Boise Forte Reservation Chairman, Ernie Stevens Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, Stanley Crooks, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Chairman, Pete White, Leech Lake Chairman, Al Thunder, Red Lake Cultural Coordinator, and Minnesota Lt. Governor Carol Molnau.

      Lee Cook, AIRC Director, said the week-long Grand opening celebration was primarily to establish the unique cultural and educational presence intended for the AIRC. The planned events and activities were intended to draw students, faculty and satf from BSU, as well as tribal leaders, tribal employees, educators and people from the nearby Indian communities.

      Located in the heart of the BSU campus, the AIRC was built to create a space where American Indian students could gather for learning and socializing.

      Another goal of the center was to enhance the recruitment, retention and graduation of American Indian students.