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Arson is the suspected cause of a fire that

destroyed the Bois Forte Tribal Government

Headquarters in Nett Lake early July 20.

The Bois Forte Fire Department received a call

at 3:01 a.m. and fire fighters arrived on the

scene within minutes. They were aided by Orr

Fire Department.

Accounting, Administration, Enrollment,

Finance, Grants, Human Resources, IT,

Planning, Registrar/Energy Assistance and

TERO offices were destroyed in the blaze.

However, many offices had back-up record

systems, and most files were stored in fire-proof

cabinets and are expected to be recovered. Band

members can be assured that records for

children’s trust funds files are backed up outside

of the building that was destroyed.

“This is no doubt a setback,” Tribal Chairman

Kevin Leecy

said in a

statement

July 20, “but

we have a

strong team

that will pull

together, and

our tribal

government

and services

will continue.

I ask Band

members to

be patient as

we work to

reopen all of

our program

and services offices at full

strength.”

Tribal Secretary David Morrison,

who serves on the ambulance

team, called Finance Officer Kim

Greiner shortly after arriving at

the fire scene. Greiner instructed

Morrison to try and save the AS

400 Server that holds the back-up

files for the accounting and

finance staff as well as several

other programs. Morrison and

other fire fighters were able to rescue the server

before flames engulfed the building.

“Saving that system was a huge break,” Greiner

said. “We may be slower than usual on accounts

payable this week. But payroll and 1854

payments, scheduled to go out Aug. 14, will not

be late despite the destruction of the accounting

staff offices.”

The RTC gathered at 9 a.m. the morning of the

fire and met with commissioners to develop an

action plan to keep programs and services

available. Displaced employees will

be given temporary offices in the

nearby Housing, DNR and School

buildings. The space will be crowded,

and new procedures will need to be

set up, but all were determined to

keep their offices productive and

make the most of the situation.

Most phone and email were down July

20, but IT staff scrambled to set up

new communications and restored

connections quickly. (No phone

numbers or email addresses were

changed.) Employees were asked to

stay away from the building, marked

off with crime tape, while fire fighters

searched for hot spots. The State Fire Marshal

traveled from Bemidji and the FBI sent a field

officer to investigate the cause of the fire. Arson

is suspected.

Bois Forte is offering a reward of up to $14,000

for information leading to the arrest and

conviction of the person(s) responsible for the

fire. Call the Bois Forte Police Department at

218-757-3237 or 1-866-638-0905. Individuals

who wish to remain anonymous can also call

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

The Minnesota Arson hotline is 800-723-2020.

B O I S F O R T E N E W S P.O. Box 16 Net t Lake , MN 55772 • b fnews@ bois for te-nsn .gov • Visit us! www.boisforte.com A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Bois Forte

Insid

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Page 4 Page 6 4

NETT LAKE, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 2009 VOL. 27 NO. 4 www.boisforte.com

Presorted

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PerMit no. 4656

Fire destroys government

headquarters, arson suspected

Flames engulf the Tribal Council Headquarters in the early

morning hours of July 20.

Ground Breaking Ceremony for

Government and Community

Services Facility

Come join the celebration on

Tuesday, August 11 at noon in the RTC parking lot.

Everyone is invited to a traditional Ceremony for

the ground breaking, followed by lunch.

Bois Forte fire fighters check for hot spots in the

ruins of the Tribal Government building.

62636 Wilkie:BoisForte News 7/28/09 10:59 AM Page 1

• Bois Forte News • August 2009

National and State News

B O I S F O R T E N E W S A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

The hundreds of thousands of people who will

pass through the new TCF Bank Stadium at the

University of Minnesota every year will be

treated to a vibrant illustration of

Minnesota’s Indian tribes. The

stadium’s largest entrance, named

the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza,

honors the state’s 11 tribes. It is the

result of a $10 million gift from the

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux

Community (SMSC), ardent

advocates of inter-tribal

collaboration. It marks the largest

private gift ever to the U’s athletic

program.

The University of Minnesota is

unveiling the Tribal Nations Plaza on

Aug. 17 at 1 p.m., inviting American

Indians to get a sneak peak before it

is filled with Gophers fans.

The plaza features 18-foot sky markers, soaring

glass structures that display flags, facts and

images from each tribe, including Bois Forte.

“We thought it important to support this cause as

a way to encourage a better understanding of the

history and role of Indians in Minnesota,” said

SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks. “The U of

M is a fine institution of higher learning and

what better place to promote the role of Indians

in this state.”

The new plaza is beginning to elicit rave

reviews. “This will be one of the most vibrant

and visible parts of TCF Bank Stadium and will

serve as a lasting tribute to the

importance of Minnesota’s Indian

people,” said U of M Athletics

Director Joel Maturi.

In addition to the construction gift,

SMSC donated $2.5 for U of M

students. It will be matched by the

university to create a $5 million

endowment that will offer

scholarships to American Indians

and students in need. “The

endowment will provide

opportunities for more Indian

students to seek out a college

education at the university so that

they can better serve their tribal

communities,” Chairman Crooks

said. “We need Indian doctors, lawyers, teachers,

accountants and leaders to help Indian people be

self-sufficient.”

Tribal Nations Plaza part of new university stadium

This monument sign marks the entrance to Tribal Nations Plaza at the U of M’s

new footbal stadium.

Nearly eight months after Election Day, the

Minnesota Supreme Court ruled June 30 that

Democrat Al Franken is the rightful winner of

the state’s second Senate seat. He was sworn in

July 7.

The unanimous ruling found little merit in former

Sen. Norm Coleman’s legal claims. Point by

point, the Supreme Court rejected claims that

inconsistent practices by local election officials

and rulings by a lower court during the recount

trial prevented perhaps thousands of valid

absentee ballots from being counted. The

Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s April

ruling, showing that Franken won by 312 votes.

It is a miniscule lead, compared with more than

2.9 million votes cast on Nov. 4, 2008.

In a press conference the day of the Supreme

Court ruling, then Senator-elect Franken

announced the four committees he was assigned

to: Health, Judiciary, Aging and “Indian Affairs,

which I asked for,” he said.

Three weeks prior to the Supreme Court ruling,

Franken met with Indian leaders at the Shakopee

Mdewakanton Sioux Government Center in Prior

Lake. There was a public

meeting followed by a

private reception for Tribal

leaders, attended by Bois

Forte Tribal Chairman

Kevin Leecy.

As Chair of the Minnesota

Indian Affairs Council,

Chairman Leecy was

invited to speak at a July

11 victory celebration for

Sen. Franken at the

Crowne Plaza Hotel in St.

Paul.

Leecy praised Franken’s

request to serve on the

Senate’s Indian Affairs

Committee. Leecy told the more than 1,000

people gathered, “… Senator Franken has

already taken action, by requesting and winning

a position on the Senate Committee on Indian

Affairs. The Tribes are deeply moved by Senator

Franken’s commitment to work for all

Minnesotans, and we could not be more

enthusiastic to work with you.”

Leecy added, “But first, after a hard-won fight,

it’s important to stop and recognize when one has

achieved a tremendous accomplishment. That’s

what this celebration is all about. On behalf of

everyone in Minnesota’s native community we

offer our heart-felt congratulations to

Senator Franken.”

Finally…it’s Senator Franken

Senator Franken (center) thanks Kevin Leecy and Glynn Crooks for speaking

at his July 11 victory party.


Bois Forte News • August 2009 •

RTC News

B O I S F O R T E N E W SA U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Band DNR introduces Iraqi engineers to the “Swamp Devil”In June Bois Forte Band Department of Natural Resources staff members hosted some

unusual visitors: engineers from Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources. The seven Iraqis had

traveled halfway around the world to learn more about aquatic vegetation cutters like the

Band’s “Swamp Devil,” which has been instrumental in clearing dense weeds and bog

from Nett Lake.

Iraq wants to restore rice-

growing wetlands that were

drained by Saddam Hussein.

The country has purchased 10

sets of cutters and barges from

the Wisconsin company that

supplied the Band’s equipment.

The company asked Bois Forte

to demonstrate the Swamp

Devil so the Iraqis could see it

in action.

For two days, Band barge

operators and a biologist showed the Iraqis weed removal techniques that have improved Nett

Lake water quality and benefited wild rice crops. The Iraqis also learned about repairs and

maintenance, and the Band offered insight into its natural resources management process.

With this information, the Iraqis will be better prepared for the massive project ahead of

them: clear vegetation and debris, replant white rice crops, manage water levels, and

reintroduce irrigation canals…all in a war-ravaged zone.

This was not the first time the Swamp Devil has assisted others. The Band also leases the

equipment and its operators to others, such as the Mole Lake Reservation in Wisconsin, which

helps clean more lakes and generates revenue for Bois Forte.

On June 1, the RTC agreed to terms on an

exclusive 5-year contract with Ferrellgas to

lock in on lower propane fuel costs for Band

members, employees and tribal owned

businesses.

The fixed price for transport gallons will be

renegotiated each May for the remaining four

years of the new agreement. This year’s

prices will be $1.169 per gallon from June 1,

2009 – May 31, 2010. The price will be the

same for all Bois Forte Band members and

employees of all Bois Forte Band entities.

In addition to the lower per gallon price,

Ferrellgas will waive all delivery fees

(hazardous materials and fuel surcharge) and

tank lease fees. Bulk tanks will be switched

out at no charge (for standard switch-outs;

switch-outs that require special equipment

may carry a service charges).

As part of the agreement, Ferrellgas will

provide Fortune Bay with standard and

emergency propane service 24 hours a day, 7

days a week. Maintenance and repairs of

Ferrellgas-owned equipment will be

performed at no charge, and maintenance and

repairs to non-Ferrellgas-owned equipment

will be performed at the standard labor rate of

$89.00 per hour.

Band members and employees need to call

Ferrellgas at 800-450-5701 or 218-326-1292

to sign up to take advantage of the new

agreement. Band members who live outside

of the reservation will qualify for the reduced

propane costs if you live in an area that

Ferrell serves. If you are not sure what

service area you live in, contact Ferrellgas at

800-450-5701 or 218-326-1292 to see if you

can order propane at the reduced rate

negotiated by the RTC.

RTC negotiates 5-year agreement forlower propane charges

Mike Connor, top right, poses with guests from Iraq and the

equipment manufacturer staff.

The Iraqi engineers got a hands-on demonstration of weed

removal techniques.



Nett Lake


Congratulations tothe 2009-2010

Saa Gi Ba Ga Royalty!(photo left)

Dan Isham, Senior Brave

Dalene Chosa, Senior Princess

Travis Isham, Junior Brave

Brooklyn Isham, Junior Princess

Jermaine Boshey, Mini Brave

Rhonda Hoaglund, Mini Princess

Friday - Warm ups Saturday - Grand Entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Feast at 5 p.m. Sunday - Grand Entry at 1 and Feast at 5 p.m. M.C.– George Strong Spiritual Advisors - Gilbert Smith & Calvin Ottertail Arena Director – Beemus Goodsky Invited Drums - TBD Specials - Bois Forte Royalty Coronation

“Moon of the Bursting Buds”

June 5th — 7th, 2009 Powwow Grounds, Nett Lake, Mn General public & all drums are welcome. Drums must have 4 or more singers to register. Honorariums available for the 1st 15 registered drums. Absolutely no drugs or alcohol allowed.

Security on-site 24-7. For more information call 218 757-3261.The Bois Forte Powwow Committee and the Bois Forte Tribal Government are not responsible for lost or stolen property. Please bring your own firewood.




Vermilion

Sixty people who attended the JuneVermilion Powwow got up early Sunday,

June 21 for a one-mile health walk sponsoredby the Vermilion Wellness Center.

June Powwow




Urban Office

Summer Picnic atMinnehaha ParkSpecial thanks to the RTC, the

Advisory Board, Fortune Bay andBarb Brodeen for a great picnic.

Mii gwetch!




Elders

In the last

Superintendent’s report

for the Vermillion Lake

Indian Boarding School

(VLIBS), things looked

very different than they

had just 10 years earlier.

The year was 1919, and

WWI had just ended,

leaving the nation in a

money bind. As usual, the

first things to go when

this happens are Indian programs. It was the

same with boarding schools. Though some

Indian Boarding schools have remained still, it

was during this time period that many closed.

Right up to the closing of the LVIBA, there was

hope it would remain open. Consequently, the

administration had little time to find openings in

other schools for the students who came from

several different areas. A breakdown of where

the children came from listed:

Nett Lake 86

Fond du Lac 36

Hayward, WI 3

Grand Portage 1

Webster, WI 3

Cheyenne River, SD 2

A letter writer from Duluth on September 22,

1919 complained that two sons had been at

VLIBS, but were not eligible to attend Indian

schools since VLIBS was closing. The mother

stated that she had no home for them, and they

had to go to Indian boarding school.

Letters in reply stated that the children would

have to go to an orphanage if they could not go

to the Indian schools. The response from the

Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs

suggested helping her secure admission for her

children in a state institution. Two of her

younger children were already there.

By 1920 the children who had attended VLIBS

were scattered from local county run schools in

their areas, to other Indian boarding schools

which remained open such as Haskell,

Pipestone, Flandreau, Hayward, Chilocco,

Tomah and Carlisle. These schools were located

from Pennsylvania to South Dakota. Many of

the youth never returned to their Tribes.

VLIBS filled the void for educating the youth in

our area, but there were many unintended side

effects. Because the children were from such

varied locale, many of the parents would come

to stay nearby so they could see their children.

Eventually some became members of our Bois

Forte Tribe.

Since this was also the time in which allotments

were being completed, the Federal Government

encouraged the local Tribes who had other

Indians in their areas to make them Tribal

members so they could receive allotted land. In

addition, many of the youth paired up and once

they were together, children of their unions

became Tribal members as well, so it is during

this time that many previously non-member

names appear on the Bois Forte rolls. The

mixing bowl had begun.

Vermillion Lake Boarding School: the last days

J. Kay Davis

August Elders Committee meeting

The Elders Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month, alternating between

Nett Lake and Vermilion. The meetings begin with lunch. This month the meeting

is scheduled for Monday, August 10, at the Nett Lake Community Center.

Vermilion Boarding School photo courtesy of the

Minnesota Historical Society.

Happy August Birthday, Elders!

Kenneth Barney 8-13 Fond du Lac

Jackie Chavez 8-04 S. Dakota Sioux

Clarence Day 8-02

Gary Donald 8-02

Helen Drift 8-10

James Gawboy 8-17

Lela Goodsky 8-24

Vickey Hackey 8-31

Eugene Hanks 8-14 Leech Lake

Janice Hartland 8-20

Flo Huisentruit 8-23

Trudy King 8-13

Dale Leecy 8-19

William Light 8-28

Dorothy Mattson 8-06

Floyd Morrison 8-14

Pam Sherman 8-31

Beverly Steel 8-12

William Tibbetts 8-03



A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Culture

B O I S F O R T E N E W S

For three decades Rose Berens has kept a dusty

old box, stuffed with pictures she couldn’t bear

to discard. She rescued it from Nett Lake School,

blocking the route from closet to

garbage.

“What do you want them for?” someone asked

when she intervened.

“I just keep things,” Rose answered. “I like to

keep old things.”

And now those old things have a new meaning.

They were recently on display at the Bois Forte

Heritage Center, which Rose directs. They are a

vivid tribute to the Elders who were students at

the Nett Lake School between 1949-1953. The

pictures are supplemented by school work –

arithmetic problems, art projects and penmanship

samples. The time capsule evokes fond memories

and historical insights.

Fern Isham delighted to spot so many

familiar faces. “I know all of them,”

she said. “It’s just amazing for me

to see. It brings back a lot of

memories.”

Included in the pictures was her

husband, Fred, as a third

grader. “When we were

growing up I could not stand

him,” Fern recalled with a

laugh.

“My sister told me, ‘He wants you to

notice him.’”

And eventually, the persistent boy succeeded.

“When he was 6-years-old, he told his mom,

‘I’m going to marry Fern.’ And we did.”

Dorothy Strong discovered an old drawing

of hers on display. The teacher had asked to

draw something beautiful, so Dorothy

illustrated flowers and a tea cup. Half a

century later, Dorothy continues to cultivate

her artistic talent, creating intricate beadwork

and rugs.

Bev Miller, the heritage center’s gift shop

supervisor, said the uncovering of so many old

pictures and school projects was “exciting.”

Pictures of young boys with Mohawks have

caused considerable amusement, she noted.

“There’s been a lot of laughter over the

Mohawks. Someone told me, ‘We didn’t know

we looked so funny!’”

The entertainment is mixed with education. A

striking amount of the schoolwork centers

around cultural events: sugar bushing, wild

ricing, hunting, fishing and pow wows.

On the heels of the May community

celebration of the renovated Nett Lake

School, the Elders Exhibit shows that Bois

Forte has always valued education.

Today, more than ever, the Band is

continuing that old commitment, as woven

into seven generations. The Band has

managed to keep its foot in both worlds,

advancing formal education while

preserving its rich heritage.

The Elders Exhibit was taken down

in July to make way for a new exhibit of photos,

“Wild Rice Moon” from the 1936 wild rice

harvest, on loan from the Winton Historical

Society.

The Heritage Center is frequently adding new

exhibits and art. If you haven’t been by lately,

stop by and visit this summer. Band members are

not charged to enjoy the Heritage Center, which

is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through

Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday.

Elders Exhibit: old pictures displayed at heritage museum


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