"Like a hunter in the Chippewa National Forest after a 100-mph windstorm, the Red Lake Nation faces a path strewn with obstacles. First, there is the aftermath of the terrible murders of March 21. Second, there is the wrenching news of the arrest of the son of the tribal chairman, on federal charges stemming from last week's deadly school shooting.

Third, there is the list of serious social concerns on the reservation - a list that drew national publicity in the last week, and that includes such things as gang activity, a 40 percent unemployment rate and a low high-school graduation rate.

Such obstacles would challenge any government. But America's state and federal governments have a tool that acts like a chainsaw in such situations, and helps leaders and citizens cut a path and see their way clear.

That tool is a free press. The Red Lake Nation should consider learning from other governments' example, and nurturing the institution of a free press as a way to attack and then solve problems."

Get the Story:
OUR OPINION : Why Red Lake needs a free press (The Grand Forks Herald 3/31)

Relevant Links:
Red Lake Net News - http://www.rlnn.com
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org
Red Lake High School - http://www.paulbunyan.net/rlschools/hs.htm

Related Stories:
Red Lake chairman defends son as information surfaces (3/30)
Yellow Bird: Media interested in getting the true story (3/30)
Column: Tragedy turns political with arrest of son (3/30)
Opinion: Indians should stop segregating themselves (3/30)
Chairman's son charged in connection with shootings (3/29)
Column: Teacher died a hero protecting students (3/29)
Editorial: Red Lake doesn't seem to want help (3/29)
Bad Eagle: Indian leaders today are pitiful (3/29)
Bush responds to shootings at Red Lake Reservation (3/29)
Red Lake begins to say goodbye to shooting victims (3/28)
Editorial: 'Massacre' at Red Lake Reservation (3/28)
Yellow Bird: Red Lake people are gentle warriors (3/28)
Ojibwe Reporter: Red Lake familiar yet different (3/28)
Opinion: Indian people suffer from disconnect (3/28)
Editorial: Tribe's response to shootings a model (3/28)
Native students talk about tragedy at Red Lake (3/28)
Reader Rep: Tribe's harsh policy against media (3/28)
Column: Lawmakers pray, but won't pay, for Red Lake (3/28)
Opinion: 'Warning signs' apply to every other child (3/28)
Column: Sadness fills services at Indian church (3/28)
Column: Covering Red Lake tragedy a difficult task (3/28)
Surviving victims talk about Red Lake tragedy (3/25)
Opinion: A dark day in the history of all tribes (3/25)
Column: Red Lake members in Twin Cities head home (3/25)
Opinion: Everyone to blame for Red Lake tragedy (3/25)
Deadly tragedy puts focus on Native youth problems (3/24)
Response continues to tragedy at Red Lake Reservation (3/24)
Yellow Bird: Red Lake community in deep pain (3/24)
Ojibwe Leader: Answers needed to help youth (3/24)
Opinion: Violence not uncommon at Red Lake (3/24)
Column: Has media underplayed Red Lake? (3/24)
Opinion: Media circus won't get to heart of matter (3/24)
Letters: Star Trib readers respond to tragedy (3/24)
Indian Country sends support to community in shock (3/23)
Details emerge on tragedy at Red Lake Reservation (3/23)
Tribal Member: My reservation will never be the same (3/23)
Opinion: Above all, this is a tribal nation tragedy (3/23)
Editorial: Tragedy at Red Lake unites all in grief (3/23)
Editorial: Solidarity with the people of Red Lake (3/23)
Column: Sacred pipe ceremony begins the healing (3/23)
Column: Media gets crash course in sovereignty (3/23)
Shooting at Red Lake Reservation leaves 10 dead (3/22)