The Native American Press (Bemidji, Minnesota), 1992-10-30

              Testimony against detox center reveals verbal, physical
and sexual abuse by staff toward patients.
By Gary Blair
On Oct. 27th both victims and
witnesses of patient abuse at the
Hennepin County Detox Center
located at 1800 Chicago Ave. So.
came forward to tell their stories at
the Minneapolis American Indian
Center. The meeting was held to
determine if a Detox Center for
American Indians in Hennepin
County is needed. Jerry Stafford, of
American Indian Services (AIS) set
the tone for the seven hour
meeting. Stafford's questions to
those who testified demonstrated
both wit and new leadership for the
Indian Community. As a panelist
who interviewed approximately 20
people who gave oral recorded
statements, his questions exhibited
a great understanding of the
problems faced by American
Indians caught up in the cycle of
alcoholism and hopelessness.
The first person to testify was
Lee Staples, a former Chemical
Dependency Program Director in
the Minneapolis American Indian
Community. He said," He could
only get one other Indian Program
Director to support his efforts to try
and address the abuse of patients at
the Detox Center. His remarks
were followed by Frank Broderick,
a Chemical Dependency counselor
who said he had worked at the
Detox Center as late as 1991.
Broderick said, "I have seen
felonious assaults and torture. I
reported it to every level in the
state and nothing was done. This
meeting is about six or seven years
too late. From this point on we
need a Federal Grand Jury. That's
who I want to talk to."
Gordon Thayer, who opened the
meeting for the homeless Task
Force which sponsored the
gathering said, "I am concerned
about the two county
commissioners who aren't here."
Of the 100 or so people who
attended the meeting, only one
elected official was present, (State
Rep. Karen Clark). Clyde
Bellecourt, who served as one of
the panel members read a letter
from William Norcross, Sr., an
American Indian elder who once
lived in Minneapolis and has since
returned to the White Earth Indian
Reservation. In the letter Norcross
tells how his brother was beaten at
the Detox Center and then later
died. He said, "The place was like a
prison camp for Jews, but instead
it's Indians, Chicanos. I'll never
forget the place as long as I live."
He said he complained to both the
law and doctors and they wouldn't
help him.
A person testified that he did not
receive proper medication when he
went through withdrawals at the
Detox Center. He said he had been
admitted to the Detox Center over
235 times. He also told of
American Indians being beaten up
only after they had been first
assaulted by Detox Center staff.
Others who testified said they
believe American Indians are beaten
up more often at the Detox Center,
because they appear to be more
passive. Another man who said he
receives SSI because he has a
chronic alcoholic problems testified
that he had once received $52.00 per
week from his payee (the person in
charge of handling the money). But,
when he returned from treatment
this person then started to only give
him $42.00 per week. Later he and
his brother slept under the 3rd
Avenue bridge for over a year.
When asked by Stafford what he
wanted to do since he had been
sober for five months, he answered,
"WORK AT THE DETOX
CENTER."
Others who testified were asked
who they thought runs the Detox
Center-, they answered, "NO ONE."
One person later said she thought it
was a small group who were the
abusers that ran it. A person who
said she had worked as a temporary
staff from a labor pool at the Detox
Center, testified that she had
reported patient abuse and then was
later told she wasn't wanted back.
Another American Indian man told
of being beaten up by the police and
was not taken to the hospital by the
Detox Center until sometime later.
He said, "I just about died." He also
told of how he stopped drinking and
gave up SSI for employment. He
said, "The people at the Detox
Center called me a 'DIRTY
DRUNKEN [BLANKEN]
INDIAN.' I did not think much of
myself at the time." He reported
having been in the Detox Center
168 times. He continued, "I came
back from Vietnam feeling like a
hero. I was awarded the Silver Star,
with it I can't even buy a cup of
coffee."
The next American Indian man to
testify told of the abuse he had also
received as a patient at the Detox
Center. He said, "After being in
detox, I decided to do something
for myself; I sobered up. I raised
myself up to feeling like a human."
He also said, "Indian program
directors need to come forward and
speak for people, these people are
their relatives." When asked by the
panel if he was a veteran, he
responded, "No, just of the detox
center."
The next person who testified
was Detox Center staff Lynn
Fritzpatrick, a non-Indian, one of
the people who reported the patient
abuse. She said, "She was told not
to use names of co-workers. There
are people who really care up there,
but they are not strong enough. I
have made out numerous
Vulnerable Adult Reports to my
supervisor and she didn't do
anything with them." She then
made a comment about herself not
being an Indian^ To this Stafford
said, "You're more Indian then
some Indians; look at all the Indian
people who are not here."
Irene Wade, an American Indian
and also one of the Detox Center
staff who reported the abuse, gave
her testimony. Wade said, "I want
to talk about staff attitude." She
said she witnessed an elderly
Indian man being discharged with
urine soaked clothing in the winter
time. She and another staff had to
force this person into dry clothing.
It seemed, she said, he didn't care
about himself. Later Wade said she
was called a "good Samaritan."
Wade continued, "I was told by
staff that you don't have to watch
out for clients, you need to watch
out for your co-workers." She said,
"We need criminal charges
brought; we need to take this to a
federal level."
Wade then told about a drug ring
made up of staff who work there.
She said, "Because of what I've
heard, I believe there is one that
operates. I've also heard there is a
theft ring. These people make sure
they are all on the same shift at the
first of the month. They steal
money and food stamps from our
clients. There are staff who exploit
our clients sexually. We need
criminal charges." she said.
In conclusion, it was also
reported that homeless people are
deliberately getting drunk in order
to use the detox center as a shelter.
The meeting ended with a meal
that was seved by AIS volunteers.
The PRESS has learned that on the
same day of the testimony, Bob
Olander, who has direct oversight
responsibility for the Detox Center,
left the meeting at the American
Indian Center after saying he had
been taking action on the
complaints, then wrote a memo to
Hennepin County Social Services
Director Mike Webb saying he did
not feel the allegations he heard
had any merit.
The Public Hearing was
sponsored by the Minnesota Indian
Affairs Council, American Indian
Services and American Indian
Housing Corporation. The panel
members were Jerry Stafford, AIS;
Bob Olbe, Moderator,
Homelessness Task Force; Gordon
Thayer, Homelessness Task Force
and LCO Tribal Council member;
Donna Fairbanks, Homelessness
Task Force; Karen Clark, State
Representative; Clyde Bellecourt,
Director, Peacemaker Center;
Joann Stately, Minnesota Indian
Affairs Council; Kathlene
Messinger, Katori Place, and
Francis Fairbanks, Mpls American
Indian Center.
The Task Force intends to review
the transcripts to determine the best
course of action with regard to the
testimonials presented.
State Representative Clark Schedules
Detox Meeting
By and For the Native American Community
By Mel Rasmussen
State Representative Karen Clark
announced today that she is calling
for the meeting of the two
subcommittees that were formed to
deal with the Hennepin County Detox
Center issue. The two committees
that will meet are the subcommittee
for detox client advocacy and the
subcommittee for an Indian detox
facility.'
The scheduled meeting date will be
Thursday, November 12, 1992, from
3:00-5:-pm at the Detox Center at
1800 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis,
MN. Clark also asked that all
community members interested in
This is Why We \bte! For Our Ancestors
serving on these committees please
attend this important meeting Prior to
attending the meeting Clark would
like members to begin working on
objectives and visions of what they would
Uke to come out of theses meetings. For
further information contact
Representative Clark of Cathy Strobel
at 612- 296-0294 or 612-296-1540
Fan Safety Prompts Move
AgainstlndianNickname
By Jeffrey Shelman Minnesota Daily
Concerns for fan safety and a possible
new University policy statement spurred
McKinley Boston's suggestion to avoid
scheduling men's sports events with non-
conference teams that have American
Indian nicknames.
"There's always some discussion on if we
shouldchangeourriamc^saidChrisrlui, •
athletic director at the University of Utah.
"We may adopt a new mascot that has
ncthmgtodowimAmericanlndianailture,
but keep the name Utes. We dont have
anyonedressed in headdresses onvar paint
on the sidelines now."
Boston, director of men's athletics, said
the move is inagreement with a newpolicy
stalemeritunderconskteranontyUn^^
administrators.
"The U is contemplating a policy
statement on the issue oflndian mascots,"
hesaid.
Along with that, Boston said the
recommendation was made in response to
a number of protests that have occurred at
games with Illinois and the increased
security measures needed tocounter them
*«&L
The
Fe
ee
Native
American
Press
We support Equal Opportunity For All People
A Weekly Publication
Founded in 1991
Volume 2 Issue 25
October30, 1992
Copyright, The Native American
"I'm not in a position to increase costs
involved in game management," Boston
said.
The American Indian Movement
protested against the University ofTJlinois'
mascot, Chief Miniwek, outside the
Metrodomepriortotr^Minnesota-niinois
football game Oct 3.
Last January, four American Indians
protesting theUnivErsitycfjJJjrcis'smascot
were arrested following a scuffle with
police and security officers during the
Minnesota-Illinois men's basketball game
in Williams Arena.
Protestors demonstrated at the game
because they saidIllirK)is'niascot"denxans
American Indian culture and spirituality"
by wearmgliidian clothing, war paint and
a feathered headdress.
The Big Ten Conference, of which
Minnesotaarrilllinoisare members, isnot
Press, 1992
willing to make a judgement on Boston's
recommendation until it is formally
presented to the conference.
"That's clearly an institutional matter,"
saidMarkRudner, assistant commissioner
ofthe Big Ten Conference. "It's not my
place toofferanopiniononwhatoneofour
institution is doing"
Although Boston indicated his move is
only asuggestion, hesaidthemen'scoaches
will be able to voice airy concerns before a
mandate is instituted.
''IflamgoingtoinstituteitasapoUcy.we
x havewaysimernallytriatcoacheswcHildbe
in the discussion and I would seek a
consensus," he said. "Asofnow,Ihavenot
sought a consensus."
The next scheduled lxm-conference
football game with a school using an
American Indian nickname is against the
San Diego State Aztecs in San Diego next
September.
Boston said there will be no change in the
football schedule to exclude SDSU next
season
The Minnesota hockey team hosts the
NbrthDakotaFightingSiouxmacc»iference
series this weekend and coachDougWoog
said it is a matter of how a nickname is
interpreted.
"I have the mindset where I don'tthink of
AmericanlndianswhenweplaytheSioux,
Ithinkofhockeyplayers,"hesaid. "I can't
see us not play the Sioux, but as far as
scheduling games, we're not going to buck
tbe system."
While the Gopher athletic department
deals withtheissueofwhetherteamsusing
Indian rucknames should be on upcoming
schedules, someschools with the nicknames
say that have a good relationship with
Indian tribes in their area
Why We Would Should Vote
By Jim Ortiz
Aboriginal Indigenous people (i.e..
Indians) and other minorities have
not had the same right to vote as other
U.S. citizens. It wasn't until 1924 that
Aboriginal people were granted
citizenship including the right to vote.
Even the States were less than
hospitable to include Indigenous
people as full-fledged citizens.
Before the U.S. Congress extended
American citizenship in 1924 to all
Indians born in the territorial limits
ofthe United States, citizenship had
been bestowed upon approximately
two-thirds of the Indian population
through treaty agreements, statutes,
naturalization proceedings, and by
"service in the Armed Forces with an
Honorable Discharge" in World War
I.
However, many state constitutions
and statutes expressly excluded
Indigenous people from voting and
other rights. Long afterthe Fourteenth
and fifteenth Amendments were
construed to make such racial
exclusions unlawful, the last of these
laws was undone. Less explicit
provisions in state constitutions and
statutes have been raised as obstacles
in recent years.
In 1924, the Arizona supreme court
declared unconstitutional disenfranchising
interpretations ofthe state constitution
and Indians were permitted to vote as
in most other state. A 1953 Utah state
law stated that persons living on Indian
reservations were not residents ofthe
state and could not vote. The law was
subsequently repealed. In 1954,
Indigenous people in Maine who were
not then federally recognized were
given the right to vote. In 1962, new
Mexico extended the right to vote to
the Aboriginal people.
New Mexico had changed its law in
1953 to permit Indians to vote and
regularly had allowed them to do so
without regard to whether they lived
on or off a reservation. The issue
arose when an unsuccessful candidate
for state challenged the votes cast on
the Navaho Reservation. The state
supreme court concluded easily
that the reservation is part ofthe
state. Had the challenged votes
been excluded, the plaintiff would
have won a statewide election by
62 votes, in which over 300,000
votes were cast. In an earlier
Minnesota case, vote of Indians in
a close county prohibition election
were successfully challenged,
reversing the election results.
Our votes do count. Ifyou don't
vote it will be too late after to
realize that you could have made
a difference. It would be sad to
throw something away that has
been so hard to attain.
Native American Press Makes Endorsements for Party Office
November 3rd is next Tuesday. It is
also election day. It is the wish and
desire from all ofthe staff at the Native
AmeriranPressthatourfriends, relatives
and readers will go out and exercise
their right to vote for the candidates of
their choice.
During the last few months we have
broughtuptheissueofyourrighttovote
and the importance to do so. Ifyou do
not cast your ballot, then you cannot
truly complain about the state of your
country if it is not of your liking. Ifyou
do exercise that right you do become a
partofthesystem. Good, bad, indifferent
or whatever it may be in your life, but it
is a way of exercising a right that you
have. There are many people in the
world who do not have this gift ofthe
power ofthe vote.
Remember that the votes that we carry
from within our communities are very
important and when voted as a common
consensus their impact can sway and
influence elections, in their respective
areas. Whether it be up north in Indian
Country around the various reservations
or within the urban communities ofthe
Twin Cities or across the country. Your
numbers can make or break many a
politician's heart. The Native vote is a
sleeping giant that has not been fully
awakened but it is stirring. Political
analysts recognize this factor and are
not sure of how to handle it.
This type of activity is important to
note as it shows that there is a political
awareness of the importance of these
elections. In the case of Red Lake they
have the ability to elect and influence
any election in their area just by their
numbers. Currently that influence must
be looked at in the 4th District Beltrami
County Commissioner race in which
Lawrence Bedeau has thrown his hat
into the arena. If the Band members act
and conduct a write-in campaign then
Mr. Bedeau can be elected. Beltrami
County could use some shaking up. The
same write-in strategy occurs with
arotherNativeArrericanwhoisrijrining
onawrite-inracefor the city ofBemidji.
This is Roy Grandbois who is seeking to
oust the incumbent mayor. Because of
thepast inactionsof thecity itis important
that the Indian community and all of its
supporters voice their displeasure with
the current administration and vote for
Grandbois.
According to our polling of the
Moccasin Telegraph, we have found
that the Incumbent mayor ofBemidji,
rJ)ougPeterson,isbehindby40pointsin
the write-in campaign.
The Native American Press has polled
its staff and we have come up with
endorsements of candidates in our area
and in some ofthe selected races in the
Metropolitan area.
For the Presidential race, we have
endorsed the Bill Clinton/Al Gore
ticket We believe that there is a great
need for change and this ticket
lepresentsthisdirection. Therearesome
reservations about the draft issue, tort
reform and waffling on issues, but in
light ofthe current economic condition
and depression of twelve years of trickle
down and voodoo economics 'Native
Americans cannot take another 4 years
of aRepublican neglect and abuse ofthe
communities. Native Americans need a
change in the top. This includes national
policy and also the policies ofthe BIA
and IHS
For United States Representative,
District 4, we endorseBruceVento.
Vento has provided a positive influence
for Indian issues inRamsey County and
for the state.
For United States Representative,
District 5, we endorse Martin Sabo.
This is with some reservationbecause of
his position on the Little Earth housing
issue.
For United States Representative,
District 6, we endorse Jerry
Sikorski, with alternatives Uke Tad
Jude we cannot take a chance on this
type of insanity.
For United States Representative,
District 7, we endorse Collin C.
Peterson, however we believe that
Peterson's position on the Gag Rule
should be brought to light and that he be
reminded that this issue is more
important to the constituency than any
issue dealing with foreign trade
For State Senator, District 2, we
endorse Roger D. Moe, his stature in
the State Senate as Senate Majority
Leader is aplus for ourpartof the world.
For State Senator, District 4, we
endorse Harold "Skip" Finn. Finn
has been effective for Indian Issues, but
sometimes his arrogance has precluded
this effectiveness. However, he appears
to be settling down and producing.
For State Representative, District
2B, we endorse Edgar Olson.
For State Representative,
District 4A, we endorse Bob
Johnson, Johnson has taken a stand
on tribal sovereignty issues and has
had involvement with the ongoing
crisis at the Hennepin Detox. Because
of these points he warrants
endorsement.
For State Senator, District 60,
we endorse Linda Berglin,
Berglin's position on Indian issues
and concern for the community is to
be respected.
For State Representative,
District 60A, we endorse Karen
Clark, Clark's continued
involvement with the Indian
community goes back many years.
She is a true friend of the community
and continues to fight for our issues.
For Chief Justice - Supreme Cou rt,
we endorse A. M. (Sandy) Keith.
For Associate Justice's - Supreme
Court, we endorse the following,
Sandra S. Gardebring, Esther M.
Tomijanovich, Alan C. Page.
Forjudges, 9th District Court,
we endorse the following, Max
J. Ruttger III, Patrick S.
Hammers, Paul £. Rasmussen.
However the most important
race we endorse, is the write-in
race for candidate Lawrence
Bedeau in District 4 Beltrami
county Commissioner. Now is the
time for a bloc vote to win an
election and place Native
Americans in office to properly
represent our communities.