Boozhoo Red Lake Nation members,
My name is Floyd "Buck" Jourdain. I am the current seated Tribal Chairman of the Red Lake Nation. I am asking for your support as I seek four more years in office. Now that I have had a chance to see things from inside the Tribal Council, I am even more convinced that our tribe deserves leadership that is strong, open minded, and fair. I intend to continue addressing the issues that will move our tribe forward instead of ignoring them, and hoping that things will get better. Good things don't just happen. They happen with hard work, strong leadership, and good decisions.
I am just now beginning to hit my stride, and our tribal members have yet to see the best that I have to offer. I have had to navigate through rough waters both professionally and personally over the past two years. I am stronger now because of it. I have maintained a positive attitude, and have conducted myself professionally throughout. Chi miigwetch to all of you for your support. I draw my strength from your kind words, advice and prayers.
I ran for office in 2002, and again in 2004 because I was sympathetic to people who were rarely given a chance. They were not selected for housing, or jobs, treated unfairly in the justice system or were ignored altogether. I voiced my concerns about a need for youth recreation, and social problems that were not being addressed. I spoke back then about crack cocaine epidemics and unsolved crimes. I questioned why issues other than money matters were not being addressed. This was before I got on the tribal council. I was a voice for people back then, and I will continue to speak on your behalf. While in office I have focused on increasing effectiveness, fairness, and accountability in tribal government, and the agencies who serve those in need. As anticipated, throughout my term I have been met with resistance at times, subject to scrutiny, and targeted by those who had their chance to make the changes that needed to happen to better our tribe but did not.
My opponents have had many years to address the issues that are finally coming to a head within our tribe. A lack of employment, substandard education, housing needs, crime, drug trafficking and enrollment are just some examples. These issues didn't just appear recently. They have been here long before the 20 months that I have held office. Voters need to ask themselves, why would now be any different?
My administration did not anticipate the tragedy of March 21, 2005 that temporarily sidetracked our agenda, but we did our best to manage it. This occurred 7 months into my term. After that, priorities dramatically changed. Now that the tribe is on the road to recovery we are continuing to move ahead once again with helping our communities, and members build a Red Lake Nation that is safe, has good schools, and provides opportunity for our members.
Our huge gaming debts and reckless spending habits have been curbed. Within the next term the tribe will see debts retired, and the return of the famous Red Lake Walleye. There are more opportunities for youth now, and there will be more. Our failed businesses are finally getting straightened out, but it has taken much time, and effort to do this. In the next term we will take another run at creating jobs for our members. Our strained relations with other Indian tribes are repaired, and we have reconnected with our Anishinabe relatives in Canada to create business opportunities. Soon our fisheries will be powered up and members will be working again. The list goes on. I intend to aggressively pursue opportunities for our tribal members.
One thing I vowed not to do in my two year term was accumulate more debt. Our existing debt needed to be paid down. Tribal members wanted this to be done, and I have seen that this promise has been kept. I have had to manage the tribe the most economically depressed period in our history. We have not had the resources of past administrations to work with so we have had to tighten our belts, and cut back in several areas. We have turned around programs, and businesses that the tribe subsidized to the tune of hundreds of thousands of thousands of dollars every year. They are now turning profits, and sustaining themselves. Programs are more fiscally disciplined now, and our audits the past two years have been done on time. This had not happened in many years.
Many people have spoken to me about violence, and drug trafficking. We are trying to find the right ways to address this issue. By first focusing on improvements in law enforcement, and the court system we will be better equipped to address the problem. Without these improvements we will continue to see an increasing federal and state presence on the reservation which has been a trend over the last few years. Although collaborations are necessary in some instances to curb crime, we must also protect our sovereignty, and the privileges we enjoy as a self governing tribe. I am continuously speaking with community members, tribal leaders, and professionals in the fields that deal with this issue throughout Minnesota, and Indian country. This problem is prevalent on every Indian reservation in America. It is not unique to Red Lake. I will continue to seek the answers and take the appropriate steps necessary to prevent, and deal with the crime and drug problem.
I have been sober and chemically free since I was a teenager. I continue to advocate for healthy lifestyles amongst our people. As an Americorps member I also understand the importance of community members playing their part. I still occasionally swing a mop, read to kids in the schools, play ball with the youth, and volunteer on a community clean up crew that covers up gang graffiti in the communities. This is a simple gesture to show that I care. I will continue to care about and get out into the communities.
If re-elected I will work to improve conditions on the reservations, while protecting and reclaiming our lakes, and territories. I will strive to include the voices of off reservation members. They are important also, and I will never disregard their voices. Enrollment is a huge issue for many. I intend to address the issue of enrollment, and blood quantum and find improved ways to remedy this dilemma.
In the next term I will committed to improving education on the reservation. I will entertain the possibility of a charter/alternative school on the reservation for kids who don't fit in the public school system. This school will be a place where kids can be challenged to their full academic potential, and flourish in their culture, language, and history. When kids are in an environment that is challenging, and fun they don't think of gangs, and violence. They are too busy trying to succeed.
I will continue to pay attention to the needs of our elders, and veterans. It will be my honor to serve them and improve upon tending to their needs.
Four more years in office will enable me to work with our Tribal Council to carry out many of the ideas that I envision, and the ones gathered from you, the voters. You have the power to move us in the right direction.
I am respectfully asking for your vote by absentee, in Minneapolis at the Indian center on May 15th or at reservation polling sites on May 17th.
I want to thank you for allowing me to serve you over the last two years. I am thankful for the opportunity. One of my main regrets is not being able to return all of the calls, letters, and emails that I receive on a daily basis in a timely manner. For this I apologize. I will find a better way to do this in the future.
Miigwetch,
Floyd "Buck" Jourdain
Tribal
Chairman
Red Lake Nation
Issues & Agenda
- Create jobs for tribal members
- Protect tribal sovereignty, lakes and lands
- Provide solutions to curbing crime and social problems
- Improve youth recreation and leadership
- Pursue better tribal education and improved reservation schools
- Increase fairness in housing and scholarship selection
- Provide solutions to enrollment issues
Accomplishments in 2 Year Term
- Law enforcement review/court improvement initiatives
- Fiscal discipline and reduced debts on gaming expansion projects
- State of the art dialysis unit at Red Lake
- 2 million in Boys & Girls Club construction money
- Ponemah community center & point road
- Turned around struggling programs and businesses
- Movement on stalled construction projects
- 800 number for off reservation members
- Improved urban offices
- Cut wasteful spending and ineffective programs
- Better youth services
- Improved roads
- Re-established effective representation at Washington and St. Paul
- Began process of reclaiming Indian lands and lakes
- Established economic development network with Minnesota and Canadian tribes
- Hired enrolled Red Lake corporate attorney for tribe
- Put back humanities center basketball arena for kids and community
- Veterans center in 2006
- Created tribal Ojibwe language/department
