Prescription Drugs Takes Center Stage at Annual Drug/Gang Summit

FIFTH ANNUAL DRUG/GANG SUMMIT HELD

Royce Kingbird drummer and champion grass dancer

The fifth annual Red Lake Drug and Gang Summit was held at the Red Lake Seven Clans Casino Event Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday February 15 to 17, 2011 from 8 am to 4 pm.

The Red Lake Singers Drum

The 2011 Summit, the theme of which was entitled “Leading the Way”, was attended by more than 300 registrants. Daytime activities included workshops, break out sessions, and presentations on street drugs, prescription drugs, public safety, Living a Positive Lifestyle, education, gang identification/intervention, and traditional teachings. As is customary in Indian Country, lunch was served each day, along with door prizes and much more.

Chemical Health Director Tom Barrett visits with Trason Cloud

Tom Barrett, executive director of Red Lake Chemical Health Programs, was the master of ceremonies. In his opening remarks, Barrett commented on Red Lake’s collaboration with Leech Lake and White Earth Reservations on Education, Economic Development and other areas. "Chemical Health is no exception", he said, "and Red Lake has and will continue to work with Leech Lake and White Earth on health issues, which has resulted in a positive collaboration".

“We take clients from other reservations and we send them clients,” Barrett stated. “We help each other out. It’s all about helping people.”

Marilyn Mountain of Chemical Health makes a point.

Something new was introduced at the summit this year as Chemical Health continues investigations into better defining alcohol and drug problems and solutions on the reservation. A survey was passed out called the “Red Lake Epidemiological Outcome Workgroup Adult Community Survey”. The survey was an opportunity to obtain a collection of information from summit participants about their personal experiences with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Information obtained will help better serve the community.

Spiritual Elder Larry Stillday pays homage to the Drum

SUMMIT AGENDA
Presentation Highlights
DAY ONE
The summit kicked off with opening remarks and introductions by Tom Barrett. This was followed by an opening prayer by Spiritual Elder Larry Stillday, and a song by the Red Lake Singers. At about 9:30 AM, welcoming remarks were heard from Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. Included in his remarks was a statement that Jourdain would declare a “Public Health Emergency” on the Red Lake Indian Reservation regarding drug abuse and public health, and how to address that problem.

Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. declared a public health emergency.

Red Lake Chemical Health provided the first informational presentation. Director Barrett said when he first started his employment with Red Lake Chemical Health Programs, he saw mostly alcohol and marijuana dependency among drug users. “Then crack cocaine came storming in a few years back,” Barret said. “Now it’s prescription drugs.”

According to a national survey, taken in 2009 on drug use and health, from the US Department of Health and Human Services, over half of the non-medical users of prescription-type drugs aged 12 or older received the drugs “from a friend or relative for free.” The majority of these respondents also admitted a friend or relative had obtained the drugs from a doctor.

Charlene Defoe of Red Lake Chemical Health

Colin “Kelly” Brunelle, criminal investigator at Red Lake then took the podium with “Statistics from Public Safety”. He said law enforcement alone cannot stop the drug abuse problem. “We’ve had some deaths on the reservation because of prescription drug abuse,” he said. Prescription medication abuse involves the non-medical use of any prescription-type pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants or sedatives. “We are not alone”, said Brunelle, “all of Indian Country has a prescription drug use problem.”

Charlene and Darren Defoe with hand drums

Brunelle said people assume taking doctor-prescribed medication that is not their own often do not consider their actions as dangerous. “We need to sit down as a community with our law enforcement, our pharmacy and hospital and try and work out a plan,” Brunelle said. “It’s not going to get any better unless we do something now. It is not possible for law enforcement to do this alone.”

Collette Nedeau

When asked how the Chairman’s declared “state of emergency” will affect law enforcement on the reservation, Brunelle said the pharmacy and hospital will now be “forced” to work with law enforcement and come up with a plan to overcome this problem. “One has to also realize the hospital and the pharmacy are a source of the problem. It’s not the only source, but it plays a major role,” Brunelle said.

Cardwell C. Nuckles, next gave a very interesting talk that captured the full attention of the audience. The title of the presentation was “The Addictive Brain”, or how drugs affect the brain. Nuckles is an internationally recognized expert in such areas as behavioral medicine and addictions treatment. His background is in advanced work in medical research, pharmacology, education and psychology.

Mylo Smith as Motivational Speaker

Mylo Smith, a motivational speaker, topped off the day with a presentation on “Living a Positive Lifestyle”. Smith also provided the evening entertainment on Tuesday. Smith is not only a motivational speaker, but an entertainer and stand-up comic with a message about positive life styles and wellness.

Mylo Smith as Stand-Up Comic

Day 2
Rick Moldenhauer started off day two after and opening prayer, with a presentation entitled, “Not What the Doctor Ordered - Alcohol, Opiates and Other Drugs in Minnesota”. Moldenhauer is a treatment services consultant at the Alcohol and Drug abuse Division of the Department of Human Services.

Brent Gish and Dan King Red Lake Schools Superintendent and President of Red Lake Nation College respectively, were next up with a session on “The Importance of Education”.

Evelyn McKenzie and Arlys Stillday discuss the day's happenings

Gary Russell, Program Director at Evergreen Shelter in Bemidji made the last presentation of the day. Evergreen Shelter serves youth 9-17 who are in crisis, homeless or runaways. Russell initiated and facilitated the Bemidji based Multi-County Gang Task Force for four years. The majority of his education on gangs and the gang lifestyle have come directly from gang affiliated youth. Russell did two Sessions separated by a fifteen minute break entitled, “Gang Identification” and “Gang Intervention”.

Day 3
A session on “Traditional Teachings” followed an opening prayer and drum song on the morning of Day Three. This session was followed by a “closing break out session” to evaluate the summit’s activities, brainstorm ideas to champion, and then how to apply those ideas in the reservation’s communities.

Participants met in small groups of four to six to tackle various aspects discussed during the two days of presentations. Traditional teachings were considered quite important to achieve these goals.

During report times, the groups came up with several action items. They included but were not limited to: getting all applicable tribal programs to join with public safety in the fight; more kids need to attend these programs and the drug/gang conference; all at the summit should bring someone new to the event next year; consistent communications are needed between various programs; these ideas need to be applied in the communities, schools, PTO; there needs to be more community involvement with the schools and to provide cultural education; special speakers need to come into the schools, e.g. ex-gang members or ex-drug users; and removing graffiti immediately are just a small number of the ideas expressed.

Elders & kids all enjoy the dance

ROUND DANCE SOCIAL
Wednesday at 6 PM featured a Round Dance Social, featuring hand drumming and singing in the Cree and Ojibwe style.


Perhaps twenty drummers and singers made a circle around several tables in the center of the event center, taking turns with songs. Many watched, listened and danced.

MISSION AND GOAL OF THE DRUG/GANG SUMMIT 

The mission of the Red Lake Drug and Gang Summit is to educate and mobilize tribal agencies, professionals, schools and community members in a variety of efforts opposed to illegal drugs on the Red Lake Reservation. The goal of the summit is to produce committees that will advise communities on how to effectively address issues of crime, drugs and violence while working closely with district representatives and the Red Lake Tribal Council.

Traveling Song

The impetus for the event began at a special Tribal Council meeting in September 2006. At that time it was announced that the Tribal Chairman was calling for a summit on Methamphetamine/crack cocaine to be held. The Indian & Free Drug Program, Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Red Lake Nation Coalition (White Bison) now the Seven Clans Wellbriety Coalition was instructed to head the summit.

Charlene Defoe has advice for all "Party Like It's 1491".

All Indian Basketball Tourney Sets Example for Youth

5TH ANNUAL WARRIOR CHALLENGE

Red Lake hosted the 5th Annual Warrior Challenge at two venues, the Red Lake Humanities Center and Red Lake High School. The double elimination tournament began Friday February 18th, 2011 at 6 PM at the Humanities Center, and continued through Sunday with the championship game played about 5 PM.

Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. (in red, left) may have been the oldest man on the court, he played for "Sweat Lodge Time Machine".

According to Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr., the “All Indian Tourney” originated during the annual Youth Conference held in April “to show our youth that athletes can succeed at the next level. Several of the players that come to play in this tourney are in college or have been to college”, Jourdain said. “Some of these guys have or are playing pro or semi-pro ball. Some are playing in Japan and China, our own (Red Lake member) Ben Strong plays in Israel.

MVP Derrick Denny

This is the first year that the tourney had not been held in April in conjunction with the Annual Youth Leadership Conference. Many teams had expressed that they would like to play the tourney, if it weren’t so close to college basketball play-offs in March. So this year the tourney moved to February, and participation went from 14 to 22 teams.

Warrior Challenge Organizer, Ron Lussier

“This year we changed the date for the games with hopes of getting more teams to come to Red Lake”, said organizer Ron Lussier. “And it worked”, he said, “this is by far the most we’ve had and the play is much more competitive. You see some good basketball at this tourney”.

The 22 teams played a total of 42 games. “We had teams from North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana and Saskatchewan along with several teams from Minnesota”, Lussier said. “The weekend showcased some of the nation’s finest Native American basketball players”.

“Some of the questions we asked ourselves when we started this tourney,” said Jourdain, “was why do our youth leave the Rez? Why aren’t more going on to college?  If they aren’t achieving academically, kids aren’t going to the next level of college”, he said.

Dad takes a break to tend to an unhappy son.

“With this all Indian tourney, and “all Indian” is important,” noted Jourdain, “we want to bring college players to Red Lake as examples of achievement for our youth.” Jourdain mentioned that the teams include players who are in or have finished college, and some are even playing pro-ball overseas.

All games had several young people attending.
The Championship games on Sunday filled the stands.

“We want to bring athlete role models to Red Lake, to demonstrate there is a life beyond high school”, said Jourdain, “and this is something Red Lake kids understand - basketball. We hope our youth will come to the games and say, ‘I can go to college’.  ‘I can get a scholarship’”. Another idea Jourdain hopes to get across is a message for all to pursue a healthy life style throughout their lives, to make healthy living a part of your life.

The Official: Dale Graves, Red Lake Ojibwe
Dale Graves, a Red Lake member from the Twin Cities, has been an official for the tourney for all five years. Graves enjoys coming home to Red Lake and seeing the impressive floor back again at the Humanities Center. “The Humanities is a great floor”, said Graves, “it reminds me a lot of the “Barn” at the University of Minnesota”. Graves has been a High School official, and has worked with most of the tourney officials for ten years, who also officiate baseball and softball.

Mr. Defense and Mr. Hustle award winners

“This tourney is a great showcase for High School and Junior High”, Graves observed. “It tells the kids here on the Rez that there’s more to life than partying, or drinking and doing drugs. If you apply yourself, there’s not only a chance to get educated, but a chance to travel as a member of a college team. There are a lot of kids who are showing potential in the 5th and 6th grades”, said Graves, “they’re coming, I say hit them when they are young, and encourage their talent and academics.”

Future Red Lake Champions take to the courts between games.

“There have been a lot of premium players come out of Red Lake”, said Graves, “but for some reason they don’t want to - or figure they can’t go on to college. But a lot of Red Lake kids could be and should be going to school”, noted Graves. “Many Indian kids are getting scholarships, and Red Lake kids could get them too”, he said, “they just have to dream and work hard”.

Good Sportsmanship, Job One

“This tourney is good for the community, it brings people together and it’s nice to see the talent of these young men, and they are all Indian, that’s just great”, concluded Graves.

The Player: Dustin Mitchell, Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe
Dustin Mitchell loves playing in the All-Indian Tourney, and played this year for the Championship Team "War Party". Mitchell attends college at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, not far from Madison, where he made 1st Team All American. He will graduate in June 2011 with a major in sociology and a minor in health. He attended Lakeland Union high school where he excelled in basketball.

Foul!

While in high school, Mitchell was recruited by several colleges for his basketball skills, and decided to go to Whitewater because he liked their style of play. “It was diverse but close to home”, he said.

He’s played some pro-ball during the summer, most recently in Austria, but it didn’t work out and he left after a month. He is considering other pro opportunities to play in Portugal, and another team in Austria. He’s played in tournaments overseas including playing with Red Lake members Ben Strong and Ronnie Battle in Israel.

Swish!

Mitchell dreams about playing in the NBA. He knows it’s possible, but will require a lot of hard work. So he keeps at it. He’s worked out with teams owned by the Suns and Bulls, and Timber Wolves and Bucks. “Going overseas is very exciting, but it gets a little lonely at times,” said Mitchell. “It’s a business, and I love to do it and I get paid to do what I love”, he said. “Now it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Mitchell’s love of basketball led him to go on to college and the opportunities that that might bring. He’d advise talented kids to do the same. “You need to get your grades up”, commented Mitchell admitting he’s not a great student but a decent one.

 2nd Place winners “Fighting Ajidamoos” (Squirrels)

“Many kids don’t try, but I want kids to know who might be reading this, that if you try you can make it”, he said. “Keep your grades up, work hard at basketball, and the coaches and the scouts will hear about you, believe me”, said Mitchell. “They’ll find you and see you. They know where you are.”

Mitchell concluded by saying “You work hard, do the little things right, stay focused, stay loyal to your teammates, and things will happen for you”.

Warrior Challenge Champions, "War Party"