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The Red Lake Reservation-like many other northern Minnesota
communities-is surrounded by beautiful lakes and heavily wooded areas. The
reservation is wholly owned by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, making it
unique among Minnesota reservations, and a point of pride for tribal
members. But their land ownership also has led to isolation from other
communities. Unemployment and poverty are major concerns within the tribe
and are contributing factors to other problems such as drug abuse and
suicide. Unique among reservations, the land of the Red Lake Nation has
never been possessed by the US government.
Because of their location and sovereignty, the Red Lake band of Ojibwe has
been able to preserve their language and culture more than many other tribes
and reservations. The Red Lake Reservation is taken up mostly by Red Lake,
which is the largest lake in Minnesota. With the beautiful woods surrounding
the huge lake filled with some of the best walleye in the world, Red Lake
has a truly picturesque landscape.
Our High School group will have several unique opportunities to work with
local community children during their time in Red Lake. From Kids Club, to
S1. Mary's Catholic Mission summer school programs, to the Boys & Girls
Club, Red Lake Reservation Mission Trips are very focused and invested in
the youth of Red Lake. Red Lake boasts the largest Kids Club that YouthWorks
runs in the Western Region.
Our High School Mission Trip Group will also partner with the community to
do small home improvement projects. In addition to the daily projects, there
will also be opportunities for engagement with the many friends in the
community, specifically Keith Lussier, a very important Elder in Red Lake
and in the greater Native American world.
Keith loves to share and teach groups about Red Lake and the stories of the
community, we are grateful for his partnership. It will be an exciting, and
important trip that will hopefully deepen and enrich participants faith life
and view of other cultures.
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