Restoring the Great Pine Forests

Greenhouse Manager Gloria Whitefeather-Spears

Greenhouse Produces 1 Million Seedlings Annually

Recently, Red Lake Nation completed construction of a new Forest Development Center that will enable the Red Lake Band to begin the reforestation of the majestic pine that once covered it’s aboriginal homelands.

Most of these great pine stands were gone, and replaced with other species long before most of us were born. The big red and white pine were gone, logged by the BIA, the resource depleted. The time has come to bring the great pine forests back.

The Largest Red Pine in Minnesota is at Itasca State Park

Part of the plan of the Forestry Settlement Agreement with the federal government requires reforestation of the Red Lake Indian Forest. The big pine area which has been replaced by poplar and other types of deciduous trees, will be reforested with pines. According to Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr. “a certain amount of money has been allotted to reforest, re-stock our forests, I feel it mirrors the return of the Red Lake Walleye."  


Forest Development Center (Greenhouse)

The Forest Development Center contains three state of the art computer controlled greenhouses, a technologically advanced nursery, and seed bank, along with a laboratory and testing facilities.

The Lab area at the Greenhouse

The center has the capability of producing 1,000,000 seedlings annually. Adjacent to the Red Lake elementary school, the center will do much more than grow trees, it will soon open its doors to students for historical, cultural, and natural resource education. The forest work itself will also be an area for education.

“The 50-year plan is to replant the 50,000 acre Red Lake Indian Forest,” said Gloria Whitefeather-Spears, Red Lake Forestry Greenhouse Manager during a recent tour. "That’s 1,000 acres per year". She noted that “10% of the land is infrastructure, so 10% of the planting has been shifted to the ceded lands. The goal is to plant 250 acres each year per district, of an overall goal of of 1000 acres per year."

Red Lake Ceded Lands. Red Lake also owns most of the NW Angle

The first stop on the tour with Whitefeather-Spears was “cold storage.” “We pick our own cones wherever the loggers are”, she said. “Tribal members are employed to pick the cones and are paid by the bushel. The cones are then shipped to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Akeley, who separate the cones by species."  

And there is a reason why Red Lakers are hired to pick cones on the reservation. Because the pines have great cultural significance to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Whitefeather-Spears asserted. “We pick our own cones so that Red Lake maintains it owns species indigenous to Red Lake, so these pines will be as native as they were over 100 years ago."

Winter Storage

Seed storage is important because seeds will seldom be used as nature would have it...which is to fall in the Autumn, lay over the Winter, and germinate in the Spring. So the greenhouse is set up to simulate all four seasons.

Spring Storage

“We fool the seeds so that we can plant anytime of year by using cold storage,” said Whitefeather-Spears. “The freezer is Winter for the seeds., then they are moved to the refrigerator to simulate Spring, then Summer is in the greenhouse. Seeds fall in the Autumn which is their time for acclimating to the out of doors. In the near future, plans call for a shade house which will simulate Autumn.”

At the Greenhouse, workers do soil tests to make sure the seeds have exactly what they need to be healthy. “We do ph tests on the water, and then modify the water for acidity that’s proper for a particular tree so that we can provide perfect conditions,” she said.

The greenhouse is controlled by an environmental controller that regulates heat, light, cooling, shade, ventilation, and a CO2 generator. The CO2 helps get and keep the trees green and healthy. The Greenhouse has irrigation too, which can be automatic or manual. Lighting is provided by sodium arc lights. 

The Irrigation System

Red Lake continues to support “green” technology in many areas, and the Greenhouse would hardly be an exception. The three greenhouses measure 120 X 42 feet. The walls of the greenhouse are twin wall polycarbonate. All water in the greenhouse is reused, with a “flow-through” system, water is saved and then recycled. In winter the heat comes from five huge wood burning stoves.  

Five huge stoves will take four foot logs

Firewood is obtained from Red Lake loggers. The stoves are staffed 24 hours a day, temperature is tightly managed with computer controlled thermostats and blowers. Last year the greenhouse went through 200 cords of wood.  

White Spruce Seedlings

This is the first crop with the new equipment at the new Greenhouse. Currently the trees being planted and grown are Red Pine or Norway Pine, White Spruce, and Jack pine. White Pine will be added soon. Trees need to be treated individually, because like vegetables, they germinate slower or quicker, and grow at different rates. Jack pine grow faster. White spruce grow slower at 1/8” per month.  

Prepping for Planting

The old greenhouse at Redby was dismantled in 2009. It grew trees for four other tribes and for the state DNR.  All trees grown at the new Greenhouse are only for the Red Lake forest. None of the trees are for sale. In accordance with the agreement on the suit with the federal government, all trees grown at the Forest Development Center are to replace the Red Lake Indian Forest that was depleted so many years ago.

The Greenhouse employs two foresters, manager (Whitefeather-Spears), three technicians, and four greenhouse aides.


Red Lake Indian Forest Pine Restoration Plan:

Old Growth White Pine, This was Minnesota's North Woods

According to Jeff Fossen, Red Lake Forestry Director, the Red Lake Indian Forest Reforestation Plan implements the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians’ goal of restoring pine to pine site within the Red Lake Indian Forest.  


This goal reflects the Band’s independent determination that the perpetual timber crops mandated by Congress in the Act of May 18th, 1916 are of great cultural and economic significance for the Band.  

A Black Bear has used this Red Pine for a back scratcher

Pine sites are those areas capable of supporting valuable species of pine as the primary cover type, and can be determined in large measure by where pine was historically found before the massive logging efforts of the 19th and 20th century. The plan calls for reforesting approximately 1000 acres per year for 50 years.

“Many things need to be considered when analyzing this Plan”, cautioned Fossen. “One consideration, the program cannot jump to 1000 acres in one year. It will require several years to expand seedling growing facilities, accomplishing necessary site preparation, develop and implement alternative planting strategies, and gradually increase staff, including the training of band members where appropriate.”  

Employment of as many band members as possible at all levels of the Plan’s implementation will not only provide badly-needed jobs but will also increase the cultural understanding of the need for the practice of sound forestry for the Band’s future. Significant capital expenditures will also be needed in the initial years of the Plan. Availability of funds for these infrastructure expenses may affect the Band’s ability to implement the Plan as drafted.

G L O R I A

“The figure of 1000 acres per year is a goal and will vary based on a number of factors,” Fossen observed. “Harvest and conversion of existing cover types, wild fires and weather patterns will affect planting and production.” Fossen added that growing experience and changes in technology may facilitate more aggressive efforts. And finally, availability of funds and other tribal needs also may influence what may be done and when.

"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.