National
Red Lake Nation says BIA not stepping up to plate


Leaders of the Red Lake Nation say the Bureau of Indian Affairs hasn't made good on promises to help the tribe after the March 21, 2005, fatal shootings on the northern Minnesota reservation.

Tribal leaders drafted a statement blasting BIA Director Pat Ragsdale and the BIA for "a trail of broken promises," The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The tribe prepared a needs assessment after Ragsdale visited the reservation but says it has grown tired of waiting for the money to arrive. The wish list included $2.83 million to build a law enforcement and courts facility, $3.7 million for renovating the wastewater treatment system, $1.28 million for law enforcement services and hundreds and nearly $2 million for other programs.

Some funding and support has been provided, Ragsdale said. The BIA and the Indian Health Service sent officers, counselors and other staff to help the tribe deal with the tragedy. Ragsdale said the BIA spent $600,000 on the reservation.

The tribe has received money from other sources. The Department of Justice provided a $1.3 million COPS law enforcement grant. A federal grant of $487,000 will be through the Minnesota Department of Education to train and support Red Lake youth.

Donations also poured in from tribes, individuals and organizations across the U.S. The Red Lake Memorial Fund distributed more than $330,000 to victims of the tragedy.

Get the Story:
Red Lake, feds at odds over pace of recovery help (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/29)
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Federal funds that Red Lake band leaders want (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/29)
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Donations buoy hopes in Red Lake (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/29)
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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

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