"The Council of Clans"

“The Council of Clans”

Red Lake Looks to Convey A Friendlier More Welcoming Image 

with Colorful New Border Signs

Signs that may be interpreted as less than "friendly" will be removed.

A new “Welcome to Red Lake Nation” sign was erected recently at the south border on Highway 89 near Seven Clans Casino, Hotel, and Event Center. The “color pencil and ink” artwork was created by Red Lake High School art teacher and artist in his own right, Patrick Desjarlait. The colorful sign measures 10 x 28 feet.  

Old Signage on County #15

According to Desjarlait, the tribe wanted to have a new sign that was more inviting, carried a message, and would serve as a symbol of pride for the tribe.

In the artwork entitled “The Council of Clans,” it appears that Migizi (Eagle) has a message - that he has called all of the major clans together. To bring them some news perhaps? Each individual may ask himself or herself, “what is the message of Migizi?”  “What message is Migizi bringing to the Anishinaabeg”? (People)

The steel frame sign took some three hours to construct. Seven aluminum panels are attached to a steel frame to form the complete sign. The lettering and artwork are vinyl covered with a coated sealer. Electrified, one light floods the entire 28 foot sign. Red Lake Builders has agreed to pitch in and pick up the expenses of lighting the sign.

Four signs with the same artwork were erected, one each at four border points. In addition to the sign on #89, there are signs at the east near Busy Corners, at the west near Fourtown, and on County Road #6 on the way to Clearbrook.

Frame for a new sign near Busy Corners

Ray Brenny, Red Lake Gaming Chief Operating Officer, said that Red Lake Gaming jumped at the chance to be involved and foot the bill for the new border signs. “We liked the look of it and thought that a nice colorful welcoming sign would enhance the casino and would be more inviting. But it’s more than that,” said Brenny, “gaming has been successful and we feel it’s important then that gaming gives back to the community, and this is just one way to do that.”

The Concept
The sign concept was born out of the annual Youth Leadership Conference held this past April at Red Lake High School. At that event, there was discussion on Ojibwe clans and tribal history. High school teacher and artist Desjarlait, and Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. were part of that discussion.

The new sign dwarfs the more than thirty year-old border sign

“I was interested right away,” said Desjarlait. “Chairman Jourdain and I agreed to hook-up. He liked the first concept I presented, so I gave him the original artwork, signed it, and encouraged him to put it under glass, and to take care of it. You never know, it’s value could increase, especially at that price,” said Desjarlait with a smile. The work was done in color pencil and ink.

Desjarlait then called on the Tim Meyers sign company. In order to make the artwork into a sign, further design was called for. “First Tim blew up the sign, then we sat down and worked on the computer graphics,” remembered Desjarlait. “We decided what words should be included with the sign including font, size, and layout. We worked next on graphics like the floral chain.”

The new welcome sign is more than a sign, it is a work of art. A close inspection of the sign reveals much symbolism which may be why folks are attracted to the sign immediately. “That is the purpose of art, to evoke a feeling, emotion if you will,” explained Desjarlait. “It was really fun doing it.”

Obvious to the observer are Red Lake’s Seven Clans in the same order as they appear on the Red Lake Nation logo. Makwa (Bear) starts on the left, then comes Mikinaak (Turtle), followed by Awazisii (Bullhead), Waabizheshi (Marten), Migizi (Eagle), Ojiig (Fisher), and Ogiishkimanisii (Kingfisher). Migizi speaks, all others turn to listen. The clans are together as one, but each is depicted in their own respective backgrounds or environment.

Less obvious at the four corners of the artwork, Animikii (Thunderbird) is depicted four times in colors symbolic of the Medicine Wheel (and the colors of 'Man'). Left top Animikii is makade (black), lower left he is misko (red), upper right is waabishki (white), and lower right is ozaawi (yellow).

The Artist

Patrick Desjarlait is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Patrick’s dad was an artist too, Patrick Robert, died in 1972, any artwork signed after 1972 is Patrick Randy.

Patrick Desjarlait

“I learned a lot from my Dad of course,” said Desjarlait, “our technique is similar. He taught me how he used a base color at first and then put other colors on top. I see myself as carrying on my Dads work. The art has advanced but the principles are still there, and I do have my own style.”

Desjarlait sees his work as a progression from his Dad’s, a continuation.  “When I started out I felt I had some big shoes to fill and I worked at that - to be as good a painter.  On the other hand, my Dad always wanted to teach at Red Lake school, and I’ve done that, so in some senses I’ve come full circle.”

Regarding similarities between Desjarlait the elder and the younger. “Some people don’t recognize the difference in our artwork,” said Desjarlait. “I’ve found it amusing at times to be told by an art owner that they have one of Dad’s pieces and upon inspection, I find that it’s one of mine.”

“Both Dad and I have a shared pride in being Red Lakers,” Desjarlait went on. “I feel I am depicting the people of Red Lake, their customs etc., but again the art - as has the culture - have progressed or changed since my dad was on the scene. My Dad, for example, portrayed fishermen fishing for subsistence, I portray fishers as a job, a way of making money. So I move forward as the people do, as culture does. The symbolism has changed too, it grows with the culture but it carries on tradition. This is what the border sign is all about...a progression of culture expressed in art.”

“I’ve had exhibitions across the country but I have participated in no competition. More and more people are asking for “commissioned” pieces. People give me a general idea of who they are, their clan, etc. and I go with it. It pleases me that people do not seem to be disappointed. I’m confident in my work. I’m very happy with what I’m doing and the people seem to be happy with my work.”

A single lamp will illuminate the entire 28 foot sign

“I’d like to do it full time,” poses Desjarlait. “I’m trying to get a surplus of drawings so I can do more exhibitions, but the art seems to fly out the door as I finish. I’m hoping to go full time sometime soon. My wife Teri will be a big part, she’s a great sales woman with a pleasing personality, and she’s good on the computer too. She kinda does all this stuff and lets me draw.”

“I’ll have mixed emotions about giving up teaching, it’s been an important part of my life,” Desjarlait reflected. “Currently, I’m working on some murals at the high school because I want to leave something behind.”

Artist Patrick Desjarlait and daughters Janna and Dezirae 

AFTERWARD

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Red Lake Fisheries: Return of the Red Lake Walleye

Note: I wrote this back in November 2007. I thought I'd retell the story because many people are unaware or misinformed about the commercial fishery on the Red Lake Reservation. The huge lake is considered sacred by its members, and therefore may only be accessed by Red Lake members and will likely never be used for recreation, although the reservations many other lakes are open to all.

RECAP: RED LAKE FISHERIES RE-OPENED FOUR YEARS AGO NEXT MONTH
COMMERCIAL FISHING RESUMES

Red Lake Fisheries held an open house and dedication ceremony on Monday November 19th, 2007 to celebrate the re-opening and refurbished building in Redby that now employs scores of workers and walleye anglers. A summary of plant improvements, upgrades and costs was provided, followed by a brief tour of the refurbished plant and a walleye feast at Redby Center.

Red Lake DNR Director and Tribal Council Member, Alan Pemberton

“Credit should be given to the USDA for their consultation on the plant improvements and upgrades," said DNR Director and Tribal Council member Al Pemberton.  “They advised us on the non-slip floors, lighting, doors, electrical improvements, and other items. That included repainting of the building, both inside and out, and we’ve got two brand new signs on the premises announcing that we are back in business.”

BRIEF HISTORY OF RED LAKE FISHERIES
Red Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the United States wholly contained within one state. Home of the World Famous Red Lake Walleye, Red Lake Fisheries was the only commercial walleye fishery in the United States. It was also the oldest and largest tribal fishery on the continent.  

Netting Days

The Fishery was established in 1917 under Minnesota law to produce fish as a war time measure during World War I because of a meat shortage. It was established as a co-op in 1929 and operated by Red Lake Tribal members until shut down.

Walleye, perch and northern fillets were available for sale both retail and wholesale, frozen and fresh. During this time the fisheries employed 500 independent fishermen and 40-50 processors.

Walleye populations in Red Lake collapsed in the mid-90’s forcing the closure of the fisheries. Something had to be done, so the Red Lake Band led an effort to bring the walleye back. 

The effort commenced in 1999 with the signing of a ten-year agreement between the Band, the State of Minnesota, and the BIA. Other partners included U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U of M, and the Red Lake Fisheries Association. This effort included a complete moratorium on walleye harvest and a large scale stocking effort.

Although it was uncertain if walleye stocks could actually be recovered, the team succeeded in bringing the walleye back from near extinction to an optimal level in just seven years. Fishing resumed in 2006 under a management plan guided by a team of fishery experts. To ensure the sustainability of the resource, the fishery will not longer be regulated by the Secretary of the Interior, but by the Tribe.

NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FISHING

In 2005, the Red Lake Tribal Council decided to start planning for the reopening of the fisheries. The building and equipment were inspected. It was decided that much of the equipment needed replacement, including both the freezing and cooling systems. The Tribal Council also then has set up new rules and regulations regarding the re-opening of fishing on Red Lake. 

Fishing was basically non-existent over the past few years. In 2006 the limit for walleyes was two, and up to August 2007 it was six. As of September 17th 2007, fishing re-opened only for angling with limits greatly increased. There will be no netting for the foreseeable future.

Subsistence fishers can take up to ten per day with an length limit. Commercial fishers, again only by angling may take up to fifty per day, but there are new controls on commercial fishers in order to better police the resource. Each fisher will check out a numbered red cooler at the fisheries before they go out. 

As of now there are only a handful of people who have taken up commercial fishing for the 180-200 coolers currently available, but it is expected that eventually there may be up to 400 people who will take up the job as people purchase boats and motors, or tune up the old ones long out of use.

THE NEW FISHERIES: HOW IT HAPPENED

Red Lake Chairman Floyd "Buck" Jourdain, Jr.

Back in early 2007 Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. met with Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Stanley Crooks. The Shakopee Tribe provided a one million dollar Red Lake Fisheries Rehabilitation Grant for Fiscal Year 2007. Much work was done, but in order to get the plant up and running, the Shakopee tribe then provided another million dollar grant for Fiscal Year 2008.

One new machine added is the grading system, which helps to better serve restaurants. The grading system allows employees to sort by size which is important in the dining industry.

FY ‘07 monies were used to remove the old ammonia based refrigeration, freezing and ice making units with a new, safer and more efficient Freon based system. Other items included a flash freezer, forklift and pallet jacks, the hiring of key personnel, painting in and out and epoxy floors, upgrading water and electric systems, and the purchase of a tub grinder/mixer to grind and compost fish waste generated and use it for fertilizer for the Red Lake wild rice farms.

FY ‘08 monies are being used to buy a delivery truck with refrigeration box, two used 4 X 4 pickups, two boats, motors and trailers, contract services for value added products and kosher certification, smoke house, vacuum sealer, metal detectors, air curtains, money for promotion and more.

Now up and rolling, the plant figures to process up to 15,000 pounds a day and employing 20 people in the processing plant. With the new machines processing will need less workers and should be a bit easier and more efficient.

There are talks going on with the Swampy Cree First Nation in Manitoba to import fish to keep the machines busy.

THE NEW FISHERIES: HOW IT WORKS
One of the first things bought with the Shakopee grant was a 3/4 ton flat bed pick-up truck. This will be used for general use, but also there will be a route set up, so fishers unable to go to Redby would be able to deliver at spots such as the Ponemah ice house.

Once at the Fishery, conveyor systems added will allow the fish to go through the heading machine. The fish then falls on a conveyor that takes it to the fillet machine. After leaving the fillet machine the fish falls onto a new trim table. The processors then trim the remaining bones off the fillet and place the fish on a conveyor that leads to the freezer tunnel.

The freezer tunnel is approximately nine feet high, by nine feet wide and twenty feet long. The tunnel operates by placing fresh trimmed fillets on a moving conveyor that travels inside the length of the tunnel. The tunnel is operated at 35 degrees below zero, with cold air blown directly over the moving conveyor. The freezer tunnel is capable of freezing 1,000 pounds of fillets an hour. Average time to freeze a fillet is 25 minutes, thus giving a superior I.Q.F. (Individual Quick Frozen) product.

The fillets exit the freezer tunnel and fall onto a glazing conveyor. This conveyor has spray bars on the top and bottom to give a uniform glaze.

The fillets then travel to the batch/scale machine. This is an in-motion scale that is able to weigh up to 120 fillets per minute. The fillet moves across the scale, continues down the conveyor until an arm opens up, placing the same size fillets in their appropriate boxes. For example two to four ounce fillets would batch together, four to six ounce, six to eight ounce, etc. This is important for sales to restaurants so their customers receive similar size fillets.

The machine automatically knows when the box has reached the desired weight of 11.5 pounds. This greatly reduces “give-away” weight. It is not uncommon for processors to gain two percent more sellable weight by reducing human error or fatigue. Once extra fillet per box leads to a loss of 15,000 pounds, roughly $100,000 in sales. These figures are based on processing one million pounds of harvest weight per year.

THE FUTURE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH RED LAKE NATION FOODS

Red Lake Nation Foods is a growing business on the reservation that employs several people in a variety of capacities. 

Although the fishery operated profitably, much has changed since the fishery closed. The demand for high quality fish has increased, overnight shipping is practical, processing and packaging technology has improved, and sales over the internet have taken off.

These changes provide and opportunity for the Tribe to maximize processing locally, increasing profit potential and providing more jobs for Red Lake members. The Fishery will take advantage of capabilities and networks established through Red Lake Nation Foods, a fledgling but promising business wholly owned by the Tribe. 

Red Lake Nation Foods products include wild rice, syrup, and berry products as well birch bark and other craft items all produced on the Reservation. The addition of fish products will enhance this business. Red Lake Nation Foods will be re-structured to operate as a business entity separate from the Tribal Government.

To ensure long-term viability of the fisheries, things will start off slow, increasing harvest and sales as markets are developed. Red Lake Nation Foods is currently exploring working with the Swampy Cree First Nation of Manitoba, who also do commercial fishing, to process some of their fish in order to make full use of the capabilities of the new plant.

EPILOGUE

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is excited about the prospects of re-opening the fishery after ten years, and putting the unique and famous Red Lake walleye back on dinner tables and in the restaurants of the world. 

The Band is also excited about the opportunities that an expanded Red Lake Nation Foods business brings to market Red Lake walleye and other natural foods and crafts. These businesses are consistent with Red Lake culture, and have great potential to provide a solid future of economic development, employment for Red Lake members, and achieving the Tribe’s goal of economic self sufficiency. 

Noos Makwa (Brother Bear)

Noos Makwa 

Some may or may not notice the painting which is relatively new, or know the story below, which is based on legend much older.

"There are Indian legends about little people who live in the woods", said an Ojibwe elder from Red Lake. "If things are not going right spiritually, if Indian people are getting away from their ways, the spirits might take the children. There would be no trace of them. There are many people who believe this."

But there are other stories and legends, too, more hopeful, like the one beneath the painting of Indian children, a snowy woods, and bears.  

In the painting, a watercolor by Lisa Fifield of the Black Bear Clan of the Oneida Tribe in Wisconsin, bears are coming out of the woods into a clearing. They are met by an Indian couple, who are unafraid of the animals. And grateful. One bear holds a child by the hand. Another cradles an infant in its arms. The children are OK.

One winter, two little children wandered off ...They were very sick. Soon it would be dark, and Owl would get them. Women of the family called upon bears to bring the children back. The children wandered a long time in the snow until they got so tired they lay down. They no longer felt cold. They could no longer move their arms and legs. They were frozen! Many strange, spotted people walked by, coughing. The children tried to call out, but they had lost their voices. Then they knew these people were ghosts. Bears, who sometimes roam the edge of the spirit world, found these children before the spotted ghosts could take them. The huge, warm, furry bears grabbed up the children and carried them safely home. 

Nawaj Makwag (More Bears)
Bear meanings were enhanced by observations made by tribal sages. These vital tribal figures were inclined to pensive and deeper understanding of how nature communicated intent in all her forms. These sages found connections between human and beast and from these associations would interpret profound meanings that propelled the community into direction, action, and wisdom.


One such connection to bear meaning comes from a Shoshone sage who, set about bridging worlds in a manner of trance walking. During his trance walk, he was gifted with the site of a clan of bears who were performing what seemed to be a ritual dance.

The Bear Dance 1942, by William Holbrook Beard

These were not spirit bears, but real bears, on their hind legs, dancing in the golden rays of the sun. The Shoshone sage understood this to be a dance of gratitude as well as a prayer for the healing and protection of their young. From that point further the Shoshone have instigated their own Sun Dance where the bear is a central figure of the ritual symbolizing protection, strength and continuation of the progeny of the tribe.

Makwag symbolize; Protection, Childbearing, Motherhood, Freedom, Discernment, Courage, Power, Unpredictable.

A Further Lesson on "Indian Time"

When "the time is right", I'll write more about "Indian time". Many non-Indians think it's some kind of joke on tardiness, but it's actually a concept, a different way of looking at time, circular vs. linear. Many societies over time and space (outside of today's Europe and America) look at time in this way. My view? Much healthier way to live. There are some very funny stories about the concept, I've been collecting a few, and would love to hear more, especially if they are humorous. 


After speaking to the Sheriff's office during the "Spiritual Run for Sobriety", I started laughing realizing this was an example. Who was going to tell these runners to use the sidewalk? No one! And if they did, how? Public safety was in a Catch 22. It was fun. Here's the story.

Spiritual Run for Sobriety Slows Traffic in Bemidji

Runners line up at the beginning of a 200 mile, four-day run

Bemidji “rush hour” commuters got an unintended and perhaps unrecognized lesson in circular versus linear time, as runners from Red Lake ran down the middle of Paul Bunyan Drive through the entire city west to east about 5 PM Tuesday August 2nd. The run slowed traffic and perhaps life a bit, as cars and trucks moved slowly into the left lane in order to pass the entourage of Red Lake runners and support vehicles commanding the right lane.

Tom Barrett, Director of Red Lake Chemical Health Programs share the history of the run. 

A Spiritual Run in Celebration of Sobriety began at Red Lake Chemical Health Programs at 11:00 AM that day. The run would last four days and end at Mash Ka wisen treatment center at Fond du Lac on Friday evening August 5. The slogan for the 200 mile “crow-hop” relay run was Gigazoongaadizim Bimibatoog (Live strong! Run!)

Runners and supporters offered tobacco before the run

At about 10:30 AM, an opening ceremony and smudging of Staffs, runners, and supporters was held outside the Chemical health program offices. That evening they would arrive at the Leech Lake Veterans Memorial Grounds near Cass Lake for a feast and camping.

The Eagle Staff

Day 2 would bring the runners to the Itasca County Fairgrounds at Grand Rapids, Day 3 to Floodwood, and Day 4 to Fond du Lac reservation (a distance of some 200 miles) where a celebration awaited.

More than a dozen runners, including several youth began their run down Highway 89, on a warm August Day with the temperature approaching the low 80’s. The runners were accompanied by a near equal number of support staff, who would use five or six vans or cars to shuttle the runners, to provide water, and any other service the runners might need. Each team or individual runner would run 3/10 of a mile, then be shuttled ahead of the four or five other teams, allowing time to rest while awaiting their turn to run again.

Things got interesting when the runners reached Bemidji. Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. and Daryl Waybenais took charge of the eagle staff and began a stretch run through the entire city. Starting near the Target store where Hwy. 2 becomes Paul Bunyan Drive NW, shoulders are no more on the four lane thoroughfare. The county sheriff was alerted to the run and promised to provide and escort.

I joined the runners near Bemidji State University at about 4:30 PM, the beginning of Bemidji’s “rush hour”. Ahead was a law enforcement vehicle with lights flashing, but was about five cars back, behind the runner’s support vehicles. Commuter cars and trucks were moving slowly as they had to move to the left lane to get around the Spirit runners and supporters. Drivers may have been wondering what the hold up was, but upon seeing the Eagle staff, many honked horns in support.

It was reported that the Sheriff’s office was in a bit of a tizzy because they thought the runners should be on the sidewalk, an impossibility of course, because support vehicles must be near-by to provide water or assistance if something was needed, and for safety.

At one point law enforcement asked the runners to use the sidewalk. Jourdain, never slowing his pace, pointed out that the sheriff said an escort would be provided, and so the “request” to move from the road was paid no heed. The two runners continued to jog down the middle of the right hand traffic lane, Eagle Staff held high when crossing intersections, and to demonstrations of support.

The above photo shows Floyd Jourdain, Jr. Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians raising the Eagle staff as he goes through the intersection of Highways 2 and 71, the last intersection before turning east on the Old Cass Lake Highway (Roosevelt Rd.) and the safety of street shoulders again. Traffic was backed up, but no one was delayed more than a minute or two.

Many in Bemidji that day may have learned that “Indian time” is much more than the stereotypical “being late”, it is a way of approaching life. If witnesses of this Spirit Run took time to contemplate this “unusual” Bemidji event, they might realize they saw a demonstration of linear versus circular time. Running through the city was the most natural thing in the world for these First Americans, a Spiritual Run being much more important than a little traffic slow-down. Said a Red Lake runner, “Things get done, when things get done, and no sooner”.