Seki Presents State of the Band Message
Tue, 04/07/2015 - 11:30am
admin
By:
Michael Meuers
An estimated 700 Band members, and friends of Red Lake Nation slowly streamed into the Red Lake Humanities Center on Friday, March 27, 2014, to attend the annual State of the Band Address scheduled to begin at about 11:00 a.m.
A simple but elegant look decorated the covered basketball court known as Red Lake Humanities. Scores of white covered tables faced the stage. Tribal programs had booths near the entrance to the building, many hosting drawings for giveaways.
Gigantic flags of Red Lake Nation and the United States covered the wall behind the stage. At the center was a podium on either side of which were tables draped in black with four white Red Lake Nation logos evenly dispersed contrasting on the black table coverings. At the tables sat the Red Lake Tribal Council and Hereditary Chiefs.
In this annual report to the people, Red Lake Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., would recap the Tribal Council's 2014 agenda, and present future goals, aspirations, and plans for 2015.
Shortly after 11 a.m., "RezDawg" Jourdain took center stage as emcee for the event. Spiritual Advisor Eugene Stillday provided the invocation, pipe ceremony and blessed a spirit dish. The Colors and Red Lake Royalty entered the Center from the back to the drum beat of Eyabay.
Seki then took the stage and as is his custom first spoke in his native Ojibwemowin introducing himself and thanking the Color Guard, the Drum Eyabay, Dancers, and Stillday.
Before beginning his speech Seki recognized several elected officials from state and county seated in a reserved section immediately in front of the stage.
Seki's speech would be candid presenting both successes and challenges.
Economic Development
The main projects we are working on are: the hemp and marijuana feasibility for the tribe, creating a promise zone to fast track federal monies for projects in the near future, a five-year plan with milestones, new job creation initiative for the community, new Redby community center and working off the feedback from the Chairman’s community meetings to implement the great ideas that came from the communities. This is not an exclusive list and we have a full list of the projects available anytime at the Economic Development Office.
Red Lake Gaming
In 2014 our Red Lake Gaming operations was optimistic as they projected a continued growth in customer visits and high hotel occupancy.
However, in 2014, we entered the first quarter of 2014 the coldest winter we’ve seen in decades. Projections were uncertain due to weather and driving conditions. Momentum picked up mid-summer as anticipated.
Red Lake Gaming has proven to be our largest employer and economic driver for the Red Lake Nation. Currently, Red Lake Gaming employs 981 employees compared to 925 at the end of 2013. This resulted in 56 new jobs in 2014. We can be proud of the economic impact that gaming has provided us in addition to a continued positive impact.
The 2014 unaudited Red Lake Gaming report shows revenues reaching $57.1 million compared to $58.0 million in 2013, a decrease of $900,000 for 2%. Red Lake Gaming has also realized net income in 2014 of $8.1 million compared to $9.1 million for 2013, a decrease of $1 million or 1.2%.
Highlights for Red Lake Gaming 2014:
•Warroad Casino under construction in 2014 with a grand opening date of September 19, 2014.
•Phase II of the Great Guest Service Training Program for all employees.
•Planning is underway to coordinate training for casino employees with the new Tribal College scheduled to open in August/September 2015.
•Future improvement projects include remodeling Thief River Falls restaurant, hotel front desk, meeting space on the hotel side.
•Archeological study and RV Park/Boat dock planning at our Warroad location.
•Golf course study for future development at our Red Lake Casino site – 2016.
•87% Red Lake member employment rate at Seven Clans Red Lake casino.
•20% Red Lake member employment rate at Seven Clans Casino at Warroad.
•68% Red Lake member employment rate at Seven Clans Casino – Thief River Falls
•Wages, taxes, health insurance and employee benefits paid in 2014 totaled $25 million, compared to $24.4 million in 2013.
On the Agenda for the Nation, 2015
•New Redby Community Center: $500,000 for 2015 and $1 million in 2016 from Shakopee.
•Bringing back vocational school
•Radio station on track, submitted application for license.
•New Horizons for the creation of advanced manufacturing jobs for the members of the Red Lake Nation. Initial feasibility study/evaluation phase in respect for the establishment of an aerospace/aviation manufacturing center on the tribal lands of the Red Lake Nation.
•Government Center and Tribal College completed in August 2015.
•Five mile pathway for walking, running, bike, four-wheelers from Red Lake to Redby.
•New retail centers in Red Lake and Ponemah.
•Diversifying in Minneapolis and Duluth to sell our fish, and other products from our reservation.
“This concludes my first State of the Band Address, I want to thank all the programs for providing information. I’ll learn from this and next year you’ll get a three or four hour speech,” Seki said with a laugh. “Let’s eat.”