Red Lake Tribal Council Passes New Resolution to Change Blood Degree of Members

Published October 12, 2019

Every Tribal Member on 1958 base roll will have full-blood designation

RED LAKE, Minn. — On Tuesday, October 8, 2019 the Red Lake Tribal Council passed a resolution that would modify the blood degree of each and every person of Red Lake Chippewa Indian blood who was duly enrolled in the Red Lake Band on November 10, 1958, will now be considered a full-blood, or 4/4 blood degree. The resolution was brought forth and mentioned by Tribal Secretary Sam Strong, as a means to strengthen enrollment. The motion was seconded by Redby Representative Al Pemberton and was approved with a 7-3 vote by the 11 elected Tribal Council members as Chairman Seki only votes in the case of a tie.

The 1958 base roll was selected because it is the most recent base roll. The 1958 enrollment list was developed by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, which listed the blood quantum of members at the time. As it stands today, the blood quantum standard requires members to have at least 1/4 Red Lake ancestry to enroll in the tribe.

“Our decision at the Council Meeting to start moving away from blood quantum is the first step in creating a solution that will allow our people to carry on our ways forever,” Secretary Strong said. “Although it is a great first step, it is important to recognize that it is a first step and we need to continue to visit this enrollment issue until we can come to a consensus to end our current practice of mathematical genocide and move forward with a solution that will allow us to protect our nation forever.”

Completed applications for enrollment under this new amendment will be taken immediately and are due no later than January 15, 2020 for a special enrollment meeting scheduled for January 29, 2020. All applications must supply supporting documentation. More information about enrollment and downloadable applications are available at the Government Center Enrollment Department, and on the Red Lake Tribal Website at http://www.redlakenation.org.

Questions may be directed to the Red Lake Tribal Council at 218-679-3341. More information will be released as available

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the Red Lake News. All rights reserved.