Grand Opening Held for New Redby Community Center

The new Redby Community on the Red Lake Indian Reservation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a much needed new Community Center, the old one falling into disrepair. The highly anticipated event was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:00 am.

Redby Representative to the Red Lake Tribal Council, Allen Pemberton, was interviewing with Lakeland News when the call came to move outside the building where several members of the Redby Community Board had set up a long and thick red ribbon. At the appropriate time Red Lake Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr. and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Chairman Charles Vig shared cutting the ribbon with a giant scissors, the ribbon held in place by Redby Representatives Allen Pemberton and Julius “Toady” Thunder.

Chairman Vig was invited to represent the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community who provided funds for the large gym where current and future Ogichidaag will practice assuring further trips to state basketball tournaments. 

Inside were four rows of tables and chairs donned with white table cloths beneath a half dozen basketball hoops. To the left food for the feast was being prepared. To the right and dominating the west wall where the speakers tables were set up, was a near life-size, full-color, high-resolution photo of the well-known Red Lake Chief, May-Dway-Gwa-No-Nind. (He Who Is Spoken To) May-Dway-Gwa-No-Nind played a significant role in the 1889 Land Agreement that set the boundaries of Red Lake Nation and that resisted allotment.

The Chief insisted that the following words be part of the agreement, words that still echo down to the people to this day, the banning of liquor on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. May-Dway-Gwa-No-Nind, insisted: “That no liquor shall come upon this reservation. It would be the ruin of all these persons that you see here should that misfortune come to them." ~Chief May-Dway-Gwa-No-Nind during the Seventh Open Council to discuss the Land Agreement of 1889.

Spiritual Leader and Hereditary Chief Greeting Spears provided an invocation a spirit dish having been prepared. Spears also blessed the community center saying a prayer for all those present.  

Red Lake Tribal Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., then addressed the community in Ojibwemowin before switching to his second language, English. "This is for your kids to play basketball, a place for the kids to come after school. Your meetings can now be held in your beautiful building.” He then thanked all those present and the drum, “Makoons Dewe’igan,” Little Bear Singers.

Chairman Seki then introduced Chairman Vig. Vig thanked Seki and all those present. He said he was pleased to be a part of the building of the communtiy center and other Red Lake building projects. He then introduced three other Shakopee members traveling with him, including two young people.

Pemberton, the next of the speechmakers, spoke proudly of the community’s Center. “We are grateful for the new community center and all those who came together to make this happen, including the Tribal Council, Sam Strong and Red Lake Economic Development, USDA, and the Shakopee Mdewankanton Sioux Community.”  

Next, Pemberton passed the mic to his Redby seat-mate Representative Julius “Toady” Thunder. “I am pleased at how the community center came together. Functional designs and space needs were part of the plan, including a full service, first-class kitchen including a dishwasher all of which the community can be proud.” 

Red Lake Economic Development Director Sam Strong spoke prior to the presentation of gifts. “Thanks to Shakopee, and Redby board members,” he said. “Shakopee deserves much thanks, they also funded the Ponemah Center, the Boys and Girls Club, and the skate park among other projects.”

Strong then introduced Elaine Johnson and the Redby Community Board Members, who welcomed all members of each district to join them and enjoy their nice new center. The board members then presented those representing the Shakopee Mdewankanton Sioux Community with several gifts.  

“Thank you so much for these gifts and wonderful tribute,” said Vig. "I will bring your message back to the tribal council. We look forward to working with you more in the future.”  

Also honored with a gift of appreciation for funding assistance throughout the project…a blanket…was given to Kathy Luepke, USDA-Rural Development, which funded the meeting rooms and kitchen. 

Greeting “Gus” Spears, Jr., Spiritual Adviser also received a blanket as a gift of appreciation.

Even though the center is officially opened, there is still more work to be done, including adding artwork to the exterior, a playground, and landscaping, creating a space that will evolve over time.

Redby’s Community Center is the third center to open thus far. The fourth and final community center to be built soon is at Red Lake.

Strong introduced the Little Bear Singers who played an honor song to close the celebration. The song completed, said Strong, “let’s eat,” and all enjoyed a feast of walleye, wild rice, beans and fry bread.