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Red Lake Minnesota Community Guide

Red Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) within the Lower Red Lake unorganized territory located in Beltrami County, Minnesota. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.4 mi² (34.7 km²), of which 13.0 mi² (33.6 km²) is land and 0.4 mi² (1.1 km²), 3.06%, is water. The elevation is 1,211 ft (369 m) above sea level.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,430 people, 400 households, and 320 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 110.2/mi² (42.5/km²). There were 421 housing units at an average density of 32.4² (12.5/km(). The racial makeup of the CDP was 1.82% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 97.69% Native American, 0.07% from other races, and 0.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 400 households out of which 49.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.5% were married couples living together, 42.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.53 and the average family size was 3.88.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 44.1% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

The median income for a household was $23,224, and the median income for a family was $20,800. Males had a median income of $22,257 versus $22,431 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $8,787. About 36.8% of families and 36.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.8% of those under the age of 18 and 44.4% of those 65 and older.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Visit The Minnesota History Shop!

Red Lake Develops Early Among County Communities

John G. Morrison, Jr. knew the Ojibwe people well. Residing on reservations for all but a few months of his life, he became an expert on both the government and the people influencing Indian life in northern Minnesota. John attended boarding school on the White Earth Reservation as a young man, and continued his education at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania in 1892. A few months later he returned to Minnesota, working in the Beaulieu, Ponsford, and Red Lake areas.

In 1896, he accepted a job with the U.S. Government's Indian Service, and for the next few years taught in federal reservation schools from Wisconsin to Washington. On October 1, 1900, he was transferred to Cross Lake on the northern shore of lower Red Lake, to start a school with his wife, Edith MacArthur Morrison. He also served as postmaster in the community of Ponemah.

In 1907, John left teaching to operate his father's general store in Red Lake and to become the Red Lake postmaster, Twelve years later he again changed careers, returning to White Earth to serve as a field man for the U.S. Government in managing Indian affairs. He continued working for his people in various federal capacities until 1940, when he retired with his wife to Redby.

The view of early Red Lake looking west. Morrison and Gravelle's Chippewa Trading Store is on the right on the road north to the pow-wow grounds. The bridge is over Mill Creek, named after an early sawmill. The Morrison Hotel is seen north and slightly east of the Chippewa Store. Photo Courtesy of North Central Minnesota Historical Center

John C. Morrison, Jr. Remembers...

As I remember Red Lake in 1888 it was a sprawling, long, narrow village along the lake, much as it is today. William R. Spears had a store there, which he had started in 1879 according to a sign on the front of it. He had started in his trading activities following the Indians around with a wagon when they were digging senaca root. He was a single man and spent his winters in a shack in Red Lake. When I first met him, he was right near Warren's stopping place where the Indians were digging the root. So many Indians were at work that he had root stored in a tent which he called "Snake Root City." Spear's original store was made of two logs long with staggered joints. It was about 400 feet from the Main street, just north on the road that runs down to the pow-wow grounds. Old Chief Moosedung had a little store downhill from Spears, on a side hill. The old American Fur Company store was right on the brown of the hill and Spears was in back of it.

It seems to me that Allan Jourdain had a little stock of goods in the American Fur Co. building. William Sayers, his brother-in-law, was clerking for him. He also owned the mail route and had the contract from White Earth to Red Lake, which he hired an Indian carrier to handle by packing on his back. One of the carriers was Nayzatkwigaowh, meaning man who stands alone. When he gave it up, Allan's brother, Peter Jourdain, carried the mail, generally with a little pony team. The Red Lake Post Office, the first in Beltrami County [established 1875], was at the Agency.

The Agency was in the same general location it is now and was headed by an overseer, Mr. Reed. I think there were five or six employees. There was no hospital there at that time but there was a doctor, possibly Dr. Laird. A small green schoolhouse was operated by the federal government. There was just one teacher who was called superintendent. The Agency blacksmith, carpenter, teamster, doctor and school employees probably brought the total number to ten people working for the government. There were, in addition, seven policemen. I believe they rotated a day apiece with a man always on duty.

There were no roads to speak of —just trails and mudholes.

The Indians in Red Lake raised a lot of vegetables at that time: corn, squash and potatoes. In the trader's store we used to buy corn. Seneca roots in the summertime and fur in the wintertime were used by the Indians for barter.

In 1888 the Catholics had a mission at the site of the cemetery which Father Aloysius visited from time to time, and late that fall Father Thomas Borgerding and some sisters arrived in Red Lake to maintain the mission on a full-time basis and start a school.

When I came back to Red Lake to work in 1893 things were picking up There were two main stores. I clerked for William Spears about two years. At that time Red Lake was the only town in Beltrami County area when you could buy a reasonable supply of groceries and other necessities of life. The county had not been organized and Red Lake was the only town in the county at that time. In 1893 it was largely a jumping-off place for homesteaders, steamboats and other settlers moving in. The lands settled on were largely those which had been ceded by the Indians of the Red Lake Reservation.

One of the last official Red Lake Indian delegations to Washington, D.C., in 1909 to discuss treaties. Shown above left to right are (front row) George Highlanding, Everwind, John English, Chief Nodin of Ponemah; back row, left to right, Joe Mason, P.H. Beauleau, Kingbird. Basil Lawrence, Attorney John Gibbons of Bemidji, Alex Jourdain, Babeegeshig, Ehmeewequanobe. Photo Courtesy of Beltrami County Historical Society

John B. Fairbanks had a little store in Red Lake and Tom Gurneau ran a little stopping place, a little log building with garret rooms for people who were forced to stay there overnight.

Steamboats had been running on Red Lake for probably two or three years when I came up here in 1893 to work. Captain Pete Eberhardt had a boat on Red Lake which he called The Viking. He made regular trips, depending upon the wind. If the wind was blowing from the west, the water was too low and he couldn't get into the lake. It was too shallow at the bar. This boat was probably 60-70 feet long. There was enough water in the Red Lake River to float it all the way down to Thief River Falls. Later on, another boat came on the lake. It was run by Herman Cook. Then the Alice Meehan came on, a passenger boat. Olaf Hanson ran a boat that wouldn't go out on the lake but followed along the shore. He called it the Christina. And then there were quite a few towboats: the Martin Lally, the Michael Kelly, the Old Mudhen and the Jim Meehan. The Margarite, Chippewa, Beltrami and J.P. Kinney came on later. The lake was quite a highway. Quite a few boats towed logs across every day.

About 1893 and 1894 they were doing extensive logging up here. Bill Lennon came. C.A. Smith had a lot of holdings here and the walking boss was Fred Kribs — Fred and Al Kribs. The timber estimator was Jimmie Mullen. There was quite a bit of work being done on the lake. In the wintertime freighters from Terrebonne and Brooks and where Oklee is now hauled their beef and pork and eggs to us for the camps.

Red Lake was becoming busy with trading and supplying camps in the winter and driving and towing in the summer. Times were improving.

From "In Our Own Backyard" by Carol Russell
© 1979, North Central Minnesota Historical Center

An Indian family at Red Lake is pictured above. The wigwam, left, is a recreation tent. Photo Courtesy of North Central Minnesota Historical Center Visit The Red Lake Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos

In 1918 the Red Lake General Council Constitution was established. In 1958 a revised Constitution and By-laws was adopted by the members of Red Lake Nation, followed by the first secret ballot election of Tribal Government in 1959.

An eleven member Tribal Council, three officers elected at large and eight council members, two from each of the four communities, governs the Red Lake Band. Seven Hereditary Chiefs, descendents from those who negotiated the 1889 Land Agreement, serve for life in an advisory capacity to the Tribal Council. In 1997, the Tribe began administering its own programs under a Self-Governance Contract with the BIA. Red Lake is not a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT).

Red Lake Nation Government Center 15484 Migizi Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3341 Web:  www.redlakenation.org
Title	Term Ends	Name and Address	Phone
Chairman	n/a	Darrell G. Seki, Sr.	n/a
Secretary	n/a	Samuel R. Strong .	n/a
Treasurer	n/a	Annette Johnson	n/a
District Representative - Little Rock	n/a	Michelle Barrett-Cobenais .	n/a
District Representative - Little Rock	n/a	Adrian Beaulieu	n/a
District Representative - Ponemah	n/a	Glenda Martin	n/a
District Representative - Ponemah	n/a	Gary Nelson	n/a
District Representative - Red Lake	n/a	Robert "Bob" Smith	n/a
District Representative - Red Lake	n/a	Donald Good, Sr.	n/a
District Representative - Redby	n/a	Allen D. Pemberton	n/a
District Representative - Redby	n/a	Julius "Toady" Thunder	n/a

US Post Office 115 State Highway 1 Red Lake, MN 56671-4400 Phone: (218) 679-3929 Toll Free: (800) ASK-USPS Regular Business Hours: Week Days       9:00 am - 12:30 pm                         1:45 pm - 4:00 pm Saturday           Closed

Minnesota State Highway Map of the Red Lake Minnesota area

Attractions:

Seven Clans Casino Highway One East Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2500 Web:  www.sevenclanscasino.com Located directly on the Red Lake Reservation and just 30 minutes from Bemidji, our casino in Red Lake is a small, personal atmosphere featuring just over 300 gaming machines including video slots, video poker, and video keno. Our beautiful hotel features 40 spacious rooms not far off the casino floor and conveniently located next to the gift shop so winning and snacks are just steps away. The Warriors Grill features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are sure to keep your belly just as full as your wallet! And if shouting when you win big wasn't enough you can also come out and shout BINGO every Sunday!

Lake Name	Size (acres)	Lake info	Lake Map	Rec Map	Topo Map
Lower Red		n/a	n/a

Health Care:

Red Lake Indian Health Service Hospital 24760 Hospital Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3912 Web:  www.rlnnredlakehospital.com The Red Lake IHS Hospital and Ponemah Clinic has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes Red Lake IHS Indian Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.

Red Lake Nation College 15480 Migizi Drive PO Box 576 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2860 Web:  www.rlnc.education The Red Lake Nation College (RLNC) is a public college that was chartered by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in 2001 to provide higher education opportunities for band members and non-band members in surrounding communities.
Red Lake School District Independent School District #38 23990 State Highway 1 E PO Box 499 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3353 Fax: (218) 679-2321 Web:  www.Red Lake.k12.mn.us Grades:  K-12 Students:  n/a
Red Lake High School 23990 Highway 1 E Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3733 Grades:  7-12 Students:  n/a
Red Lake Middle School 23990 Highway 1 E Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2700 Grades:  6-8 Students:  n/a
Red Lake Elementary School 24900 Elementary Street Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3329 Grades:  1-5 Students:  n/a
Ponemah Elementary School 25039 Abinoojiin Drive  Ponemah, MN 56666 Phone: (218) 679-2375 Grades:  K-8 Students:  n/a
St. Marys Mission School 15341 Saint Marys Mission Road PO Box 189 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3388 Web:  www.stmarysmission.org

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St. Mary's Mission 15272 St. Marys Mission Road Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3615 Web:  www.stmarysmission.org Building was destroyed in a fire in December 2017. Services are currently being held in the gym at St. Mary's Mission School Bemidji Pioneer article about church fire

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Anishinabe Legal Service Highway 1 W PO Box 291 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2281 Web:  www.alslegal.org Anishinabe Legal Services began as the Leech Lake Reservation Legal Services Project in 1967. The Leech Lake Reservation Legal Services Project was the first independent Native American legal services program in the country. Original funding for the program came from the United States Office of Economic Opportunity.
Beaulieu's Gas,Store and Cafe Highway 1 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3863 Gas, pop, chips, candy and much more! categories
Boys and Girls Club of Red Lake 24200 Council Street Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2273 Web:  www.rlbgc.org The Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Club provides a safe environment for youth to go to during out of school hours and beyond. We provide structured programs for youth to engage in healthy activities and life choices.
Community Action Program 15531 Main Avenue PO Box 190 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-1880 The Red Lake CAP/Weatherization Program provides assistance and information to band members with regard to the winter weatherization of their homes, as well as applications for energy assistance. Energy assistance applications are mailed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce in the fall of the year, or can be obtained through the CAP office.
Earthworks Technology Inc Highway 89 S Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3480
Equay Wiigaming 15813 Holstein Avenue NW Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3443
Green Lake Pawn Shop 13625 Shell Lake Rd Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3604
Jourdain Perpich Extended Care 24856 Hospital Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3400
Native Style Emboidery and Art 15533 Main Street Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3015 Native Style Embroidery & Art was created to honor the heritage and lifestyle of the Anishinabe people: allowing them to use their talents and skills to create a pathway into financial independence and personal pride.
Northern Winds Treatment Center Highway 1 PO Box 114 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3387
Red Lake Builders Inc. 10323 State Highway 89 S PO Box 250 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679- Web:   www.redlakebuilders.com Red Lake Builders, Inc is one of very few tribally owned construction companies in the United States. Red Lake Builders has over 35 years of experience meeting the needs of Construction customers. Red Lake Builders is an SBA HUBZone certified small business. Beyond providing quality buildings and civil construction services, Red Lake Builders has created jobs for a generation of Tribal and other employees. Red Lake Builders’ employees have a strong commitment to the company, and look forward to providing its professionalism and expertise to every project.
Red Lake Community Center 15041 Great Nation Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3221
Red Lake Department of Natural Resources 15761 High School Drive PO Box 279 Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3959 Web:  www.redlakednr.org The Red Lake Reservation is home to 75 percent of the Tribe’s 10,000 Band members. The primary sources of livelihood include hunting, fishing, and subsistence natural resource harvesting. Natural resources historically represented the most important source of employment to the Band members, with commercial fishing and logging representing the two most important industries. These two industries affect every member on the Reservation. Therefore, preserving and restoring its rich aquatic ecosystem and abundance of other natural resources is critical to Band members’ health, welfare, traditional ways of life, economic viability, and is a high priority for the Band.
Red Lake Foods 100 Main Street Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3863
Red Lake Housing Authority 24388 Highway 1 E Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3368
Red Lake IGA 24338 State Highway 1 E Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3888
Red Lake Indian Health Service Hospital 24760 Hospital Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3912 Web:  www.rlnnredlakehospital.com The Red Lake IHS Hospital and Ponemah Clinic has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes Red Lake IHS Indian Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.
Red Lake Nation Foods 15761 High School Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2611 Web:  www.redlakenationfoods.com We are the ONLY American Indian tribe in the U.S. that grows & harvests our own wild rice (MN Cultivated) on local lands. From our reservation in northern Minnesota, we pack, label & ship our wild rice to many countries. We expanded our natural foods line with unique hand harvested wild fruit jellies, jams & syrups, handcrafted gift items, all natural batter mixes, popcorn & herbal tea. We are pleased to share the bounty of the harvests, as well as other natural food products, all produced by American Indians. Red Lake Nation Foods is a member of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and bear the “Made/Produced by American Indians” trademark on our products.
Seven Clans Casino Highway One East Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-2500 Web:  www.sevenclanscasino.com Located directly on the Red Lake Reservation and just 30 minutes from Bemidji, our casino in Red Lake is a small, personal atmosphere featuring just over 300 gaming machines including video slots, video poker, and video keno. Our beautiful hotel features 40 spacious rooms not far off the casino floor and conveniently located next to the gift shop so winning and snacks are just steps away. The Warriors Grill features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are sure to keep your belly just as full as your wallet! And if shouting when you win big wasn't enough you can also come out and shout BINGO every Sunday!
St. Mary's Convent & Store 15167 St. Marys Mission Road Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3615
Verdell's Garage 24213 Bot Drive Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone: (218) 679-3546

Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR - click map to zoom or enlarge 

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