Contact: Suzette Brewer of the National Indian Gaming Association, 202-546-7711, Jason McCarty of the National Congress of American Indians, 202-466-7767
WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, leaders from several national Native organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), the National Indian Education Association, the National Indian Health Board, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and the National American Indian Housing Council gathered together to offer their condolences and prayers to the people of the Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota.
Liz Hill, a Washington, D.C., resident and member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, represented the tribe and its Chairman Floyd Jourdain, Jr., who had prepared a statement to be delivered on behalf of the Red Lake Tribal Council. Jourdain expressed gratitude for the many expressions of support that have continued to pour into Red Lake. "We remain in a state of sorrow, shock and disbelief," said Jourdain. "We are thankful for your prayers."
NCAI President Tex G. Hall, who is also Chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, spoke of the strong bond that exists among all Native people. "We are all related as tribal people and this tragedy affects all of us," said Hall.
NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, announced that a special memorial fund has been established to help the families on the reservation who experienced losses. Contributions may be sent to: Red Lake Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 574, Red Lake, Minn. 56671.
"NCAI is urging support from tribal governments to provide economic aid, prayers and other spiritual support for tribal members, especially tribal youth," said Hall.
Nationwide, Native teens have some of the highest poverty and suicide rates in the nation. According to a 2004 report of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, the suicide rate for Indian teens is more than twice the national average. The lack of resources, the geographic isolation of Native communities and grinding poverty all exacerbate the situation.
"For Indian people, family and community is the very foundation of our culture and this tragedy is a reminder that we should hold our children close to our hearts," said Stevens. "We offer our prayers to the people of Red Lake in this time of profound grief and we will provide whatever assistance and help to the community that is asked of us in the coming weeks and months."