Reservation Area: 825,654 acres Tribal Land: 825,654 acres Tribal Enrollment: 8,039 (1995) Communities: Red Lake (tribal
headquarters), Redby, Ponemah and Little Rock. Number of Residents: 8,111 (1995)
BRIEF HISTORY/BACKGROUND
The Red Lake people have lived in the area since the early 1700s. The reservation was reserved by the Band in 1889. They were successful in resisting the allotment process that affected other reservations, and all land has remained within the responsibility of the tribe. The area includes land surrounding Upper and Lower Red Lake, near Lake of the Woods, as well as scattered sites in between the two areas. The Band is independent of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Governance
Type of Government: Representative government through the 11-member Red Lake Council. The chairman, secretary and treasurer are elected at large. The other council members are representatives of the four reservation districts. Tribal members residing in these districts elect two council members as representatives.
Election Process: The enrolled adult tribal members elect council members. Those not living on the reservation may vote by absentee ballot.
Employment (1995)
Labor Force: 2,588
Unemployment: 36%
Economic Development
Tribal Businesses: Red Lake Indian Sawmill, Wild Rice production, Red Lake Fishing Industry, Red Lake Builders, Casinos, Chippewa Trading Post, Red Lake Shopping Center,
Red Lake Housing Finance Corp., Red Lake Chippewa Cedar Fence Plant, Red Lake Pre-Fab Housing Plant
School Attendance
Red Lake Public School District
Enrollment (1997-1998): 1,306
Health Care (1994)
Number of Clinics: 1
Number of Doctors: 4.5 (FTE)
Casinos
Number: 3 - Red Lake Casino, Red Lake; River Road Casino, Thief River Falls; and Lake of the Woods Casino, Warroad