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"

Three Tribal Chairs Sign Education Consortium

DAY TWO: EDUCATION SUMMIT 

CONCENTRATES ON RED LAKE STUDENTS & EDUCATION

THREE TRIBES FORM EDUCATION CONSORTIUM, 

SIGN FORMAL AGREEMENT

More than 200 students attended Day 2 and it's College Fair

On Thursday January 20th, Day Two of the Education Summit sponsored by the Red Lake Nation College, a college fair was hosted for tribal members, many of whom are high school students.  The Summit was held at the Seven Clans Casino and Event Center at Red Lake,

White Earth Tribal & Community College had several visitors

Around the perimeter of the Seven Clans lobby, representatives from each of the three tribal colleges, local community colleges, the U of M at Duluth, Morris and Crookston, BSU, UND, military services, and other career oriented organizations, staffed booths providing information and answering student questions on post high school career options.  

According to Red Lake Nation College President Dan King, a total of  312 persons registered for Day Two, including 200 Red Lake tribal member high school students, grades 10 to 12.  The day’s activities were geared toward Red Lake students who attend schools in Red Lake and the surrounding area. 

Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. was interviewed by Jenny Day of Lakeland News

“Throughout this Education Summit, we want to support and encourage our Red Lake member students to continue their education after high school graduation”, said Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr.  “With new leadership at our college, we look forward to dramatic improvements in academics, Ojibwe language preservation, and increased enrollment”, Jourdain noted.  “I’ve challenged the Tribal College to enroll at least 200 Red Lake member students by 2014”, he said.

After a tasty breakfast, at 9:00 am, Day Two began.  Red Lake Nation College submitted a power point presentation entitled “The Value of a College Education” to the 200 students gathered.  Presenters were Red Lake Nation College president Dan King, and Bemidji State University professor, and White Earth member, Dr. Leah Carpenter.  Carpenter has a law degree and a PhD in American Indian Studies.

The three Tribal College Presidents Juanita Bennet, Dr. Ginny Carney, and Dan King

A panel that included Leech Lake Tribal College president, Dr. Ginny Carney, and White Earth Tribal and Community College president Juanita Bennet, (Turtle Mountain) assisted in the presentation by King and Carpenter.  Carney said about 30 Ojibwe language students and instructors from Leech Lake attended the previous day’s activities.  “I’m quite sold on the idea of the three tribal colleges collaborating,” said Carney, “it could lead to us working much more effectively”.

Leech Lake Tribal College's Display Booth

“Fifty years ago someone could go to high school, graduate and do just fine,” said King.  “Today, most jobs require post-secondary training.”  “With Red Lake Nation College as a starting point, it’s going to be easier for members who hadn’t thought of themselves as college material to get used to the idea in a familiar environment with familiar people”.


“Our motto at the college is – ‘A great place to start,’” King said. “We encourage students to start here, build up their confidence and skill levels, and then move on to a four-year college.”

At 10:00 AM, Indian Education expert Dr. Dean Chavers returned to present an invaluable information session on “How to Find and Win College Scholarships!”.  A subject he is quite familiar with having been a former president of the American Indian Scholarship Fund.  He is known to be a passionate warrior for Indian education.

Leech Lake Entertainer/Rapper George Goggleye aka "Wahwahtaybenais"

Entertainment with a message, “Ojibwe Rap” began at 11:00 am.  Local Red Lake and Leech Lake talent, mixed a positive message with rap/hip hop music for a nice blend of culture and musical genres.  Rapper/entertainers included Paul “Tall Paul” Wenell, Jr. (Leech Lake), Shannon StandingCloud (Red Lake), and George Goggleye aka 
“Wahwahtaybenais”.  Wahwahtaybenais coincidently incorporates the importance of Ojibwe language revitalization movement as part of his rap message.

Gary “Rez Dawg” Jourdain (Red Lake) provided DJ music during down times, or fill in times.  Jourdain is also the marketing manager for Seven Clans Casino, Red Lake.

Gifts were given to Red Lake elders and college advisors Eugene Stillday and Larry Stillday by Dan King

About 11:30 am, Lunch was served followed by a signing ceremony of the Education Nation Consortium Agreement.  Eugene Stillday provided an invocation.

“We can always do better, that's the way I always look at things”, said organizer King.  “But overall, I think we did good”, he said.  “There was a lot of positive energy, we had a great turnout of over 200 high school students today, I was very happy with their participation and interest in higher education.  And the Ojibwe rappers were impressive too”, observed King.  “I was very proud of all our Red Lake education staff, faculty, etc.  It was a historic event”, he said.   

“We hope to make this an annual Tribal Summit for our three tribes”, Jourdain said.  “In this first effort we are very encouraged with the strong participation of students and administrators from Red Lake’s school district and local high schools” Jourdain observed.  Jourdain also expressed how pleased he was that the tribal colleges, regional community colleges, and larger Universities and Vo-Tec schools participated in the summit.

The Education Nation Consortium Agreement.
The climax of the two-day Education Summit on Thursday was a very special agreement signed by the Chairs of three Indian Nations.

Leech Lake Tribal Chairman Arthur "Archie LaRose and Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. sign the Education Agreement.  White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor was not able to attend and signed the agreement later.

The signing ceremony began about noon and celebrated a new Educational Agreement between Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth Tribes.  The agreement is a compact, a pledge for the three nations to cooperate and work together on educational improvements in such crucial areas as Ojibwe language preservation, Indian education improvements, grant partnering and advocacy efforts.  The three Tribal Chairs, Floyd Jourdain, Jr. of Red Lake, Arthur “Archie” LaRose of Leech Lake spoke and signed the compact.  Erma Vizenor of White Earth was unable to attend and will sign the compact at a later time.  

The signatories, College Presidents, Tribal Chairs, and Education Superintendents

The signing ceremony included the signatures of the three tribal college presidents (King, Carney and Bennet) on the Educational Agreement, and the three Education Directors/Superintendents of schools.  Red Lake’s Brent Gish was the only superintendent of schools able to attend.

SUMMARY OF THE EDUCATION NATION CONSORTIUM RESOLUTION 

BETWEEN RED LAKE, LEECH LAKE WHITE EARTH TRIBAL NATIONS.  

Signed on Thursday, January 20, 2011 

WHEREAS, the three Tribes of Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth have historically close ties; and since we are all members of the Great Ojibwe Nation; and all share the same Ojibwe language and culture; and have recently worked together on economic development and social issues; and have similar educational challenges; and each have Tribal Colleges to serve their respective Tribal Communities; 

An honor song was presented by Ogidaaki, the Don Kingbird Drum

BE IT RESOLVED, during the educational summit, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe agree to cooperate, share ideas and work together on making educational improvements to the following major issues affecting Indian education:


The crucial and urgent issue of Ojibwe language preservation; and any and all issues affecting Indian education specific program improvements; and mutually agreed upon educational grant partnering and grant endorsements from this new three-Tribe educational consortium; and mutually beneficial advocacy efforts that will help the Tribes of this new consortium; 


and since all of the Tribes of this new consortium also have tribal colleges to serve their respective tribal communities, the Tribal College Presidents will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all members of this consortium, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal leaders and the three Tribal College Presidents will all sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal Education Directors/Superintendents, if any, of the three respective K-12 Tribal school systems for Tribal Members, will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all Members of this consortium, and also sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and


BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the three Tribes will together create a new charter of operations to establish a process for adding new members, voting, and also sign this new document.

Giga-waabamin miinawaa (I'll see you again)

Tribal Triad Join Hands on Education

The Red Lake Tribal Council, Tribal College and School District have joined hands and sponsored an Education Summit in concern for the Nation’s youth.  The two-day event took place on Wednesday and Thursday January 19th and 20th, 2011 at the Seven Clans Casino and Event Center at Red Lake.  

The first day centered on the three northern tribes, Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth working together for better education and language preservation. Activities concentrated on the youth of the Nations.  The event’s emcee was motivational speaker, Chance Rush, a frequent participant in Red Lake Youth Leadership Summits.


“We are hosting this educational summit with the purpose of improving education in Indian Country and for Red Lake members”, said Dan King, President of Red Lake Nation College.  According to King, part of the idea for the summit was spurred by the Economic Summit held last August at the same venue.  The Economic Summit launched in 2006 is also a collaboration of the three tribes.

On Wednesday, events began at 11:00 am with a drum song by the Don Kingbird drum Ogidaaki.  Kingbird is Red Lake Nation College Drum Keeper and college instructor.  Following the drum was an opening prayer by Red Lake Elder and Spiritual Advisor, Larry Stillday.  Stillday of Ponemah is a fluent Ojibwe speaker and advisor to Red Lake Nation College.  


Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. then welcomed those attending.  Jourdain said that the purpose for the Education Summit is to improve education in Indian Country and Red Lake.  “In that effort we are reaching out to our friends at Leech Lake and White Earth”, said Jourdain.  “The three tribes represent 80% of the American Indians in the state of Minnesota”, Jourdain noted.

Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. interviews with Lakeland News reporter Jenny Day

“In this historic alliance, we will work closely with our Ojibwe brothers and sisters and seek a regular dialogue of what works best for each tribe”, Jourdain went on.  “We can share the best Ojibwe language teachers and college education programs.  Further, we can collaborate on grant application partnerships and mutually beneficial advocacy efforts”, concluded Jourdain.


A noon luncheon followed Jourdain’s address.

Work began at 1:30 PM with a session entitled, “Ojibwe Language Survival Project”.  “With an alarmingly small group of fluent Ojibwe speakers,” noted King, “there is a need to address the issue of Ojibwe language preservation.”  


The session was presented by Dr. Anton Treuer, Leech Lake member and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University.  Treuer, a fluent speaker and true champion of Ojibwe language revitalization, received his BA from Princeton, and Masters and PhD from the U of M.  Treuer is the author of eight books including Ojibwe in Minnesota and The Assassination of Hole in the Day.

Treuer was partnered with Eugene Stillday, elder and fluent Ojibwe speaker from Ponemah.  Stillday is a spiritual and cultural advisor for the Red Lake Tribal Council.  He is also a Red Lake Nation College Ojibwe language and cultural advisor.  Both Stillday and Treuer are involved in developing Ojibwemowin (Ojibwe language) dictionaries, both for everyday usage and developing academic vocabulary e.g. mathematics. 

Language preservation was brought home in a sharply defined manner as Treuer put up a slide showing just how few fluent Ojibwe speakers there are left in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  According to Treuer there are just a few more than 700 fluent Ojibwe speakers in the United States, (there are many more in Canada) more than half, 400 are from Red Lake, and most of those from Ponemah.

At 2:45pm, Dr. Dean Chavers, nationally known expert on Indian Education gave a very upbeat presentation.  He provided a summary report on dramatic “turnaround stories” of low performing schools who, with hard work and collaboration, transformed into top achievers.  The session was entitled,  “Exemplary Programs in Indian Education”.  

Dr. Dean Chavers leans in to share a thought with Red Lake School Board member, Roy Nelson

Chavers has written 25 books, and is the founder of the “Catching the Dream Foundation”.  He is also a former president of the American Indian Scholarship Fund.  He received his Masters and PhD from Stanford University.  “If you haven’t seen the “true story” film “Stand and Deliver”, said Chavers, “make a point of it and you will see what we can do”.

Red Schools Superintendent prepares his presentation on Reforming Red Lake Schools.  Emcee Chance Rush is to his left, Eugene Stillday to his right.

The last session of the day “Reforming Red Lake Public Schools” began at 4:00 PM.  Representatives from the Red Lake School district presented their master plan for reforming the school and student learning.  Information was shared on current reform results and improvements.  Ev Arnold former Principal of Red Lake High School and current Turnaround Officer for Red Lake Schools, led the presentation.  He was assisted in this unveiling by Red Lake School Superintendent Brent Gish.

Arnold went through a slide show presentation, while several questions were asked from time to time by the audience.  Arnold discussed the implementation stages, followed by reform initiatives.  This included a focus on teacher growth, which Arnold claims will enhance student academic growth.  The school will also focus on student’s different learning styles and accommodate those styles.

Several progress reports will have to be outlined at various intervals and submitted to both State and Federal governments, as well as the Red Lake School Board, said Arnold.  This includes several items regarding academics, but also attendance, truancy, discipline incidents, drop out rates, and college enrollment rates.  Similar reporting is done on teachers, including performance levels and attendance.

Finally, the number of minutes in a school year that all students will be required to be at school will be increased.  For school year 2009-2010 the time was 168 days at 340 minutes per day which equals 57,120 minutes.  For 2010-2011 time in the classroom will increase to 178 days at 360 minutes per day which equals 64,080 minutes.  Both Arnold and Gish felt quite positive as to the progress in reforming Red Lake Schools.

Red Lake Nation College Academic Dean Steven StandingCloud  has Dr. Anton Treuer sign his recent book "Ojibwe in Minnesota 

After a break at 5 PM, their was a dinner for participants with two key-note speakers from the afternoon sessions, Drs. Treuer and Chavers.  Treuer spoke further of his efforts in preserving the Ojibwe Language, and Chavers speech was entitled, “Catching the Dream”.

Red Lake College President Dan King discusses the Summit with Red Lake Tribal Administrator Lea Perkins

“We can always do better, that's the way I always look at things”, said King.  “But overall, I think we did good on the following items: there was a very positive energy, with a great turnout of over 200 high school students”, noted King.  The overall turnout, according to King, was 225 on Day One, and 312 registered on Day Two.  “I felt the discussion was excellent on the topics of Ojibwe Language preservation and school reform”, King commented.

 

“I feel very good that our Red Lake Nation College message - that we offer a quality education - is getting out”, concluded King.  “I was very proud of all our Red Lake education staff, faculty, etc.  It was a historic event.”