The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community awarded a grant for $1 million to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa for a youth activities center. The ceremonial check presentation was held March 15, between members of the SMSC Business Council, Red Lake Nation Chairman Floyd Jourdain, and Red Lake youth and staff at the SMSC Community Center in Prior Lake.
The grant will assist the Tribal Council in its efforts to improve conditions on the Red Lake Reservation through the provision of education and services. With the grant, a Boys & Girls Club will be built in the town of Red Lake with a satellite club in Ponemah.
"We have a $5 million goal and we've raised $2 million," said Red Lake Nation Chairman Jourdain. "I once said if I ever became chairman I'd try to find some way to build a recreation facility for youth. After the tragedy (of the school shooting of March 21, 2005) we wanted to make the best out of a really, really bad situation. We hoped we could make it a reality to build this."
"We appreciate that the Red Lake Tribal Council wants to make life better for its members. It is very important to us to help other Indian people, particularly the youth. They are the best hope for their nation's future. Boys & Girls Clubs provides a valuable service, and we're pleased we have the resources to reach out and help, especially this program for the youth. Our tribal members have made it possible for us to be able to make this grant for this particular purpose. We would also like to encourage other tribes and organizations to support this worthwhile project," said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks.
