The Native American Press (Bemidji, Minnesota), 1993-02-26

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The Minneapolis American Indian Center -
Who does it serve?
By William Lawrence
It is the policy of The Native
American Press to examine Indian
organizations that receive federal or
state funding along with other
organizations that also serve
American Indians. Recent examples
include patient abuse at the Hennepin
County Detox Center and the audit of
theMinnesota Indian Affairs Council.
In addition, we plan to probe the
hiring practices utilized by Hennepin
County and the City of Minneapolis
when employing American Indians.
At present, our interests have fallen
on the Minneapolis American Indian
Center (MAIC). We have been
interested in learning more about the
services they provide, their financial
management, and overall
effectiveness in serving the Indian
community, both programmatically
and politically. AccordingtoMAIC's
By-Laws, the center proposes to do
the following: To define the needs of
American Indians living in the urban
area, to explore ways to best meet
those needs in every aspect of life and
to raise their standards of living to the
level that is currently enjoyed by the
majority population.
With the standard of living for
American Indians in Minneapolis
having dropped to the lowest level in
the nation, The Press requested to see
the Indian center's books in July of
1992. After seven months of stalling
through the use of an attorney,
MAIC's Executive Director, Frances
Fairbanks, has now provided some of
the information requested. Based on
this information, additional
information obtained from other
sources, and interviews with past and
present MAIC staff and board
members, the following has been
learned.
The top five paid staff at the center
receive a combined annual income of
$229,165.00. Both Fairbanks and her
accountant reported their salaries at
$60,396 per year. Their grant writer
is next in line with $41,800 per year.
The Center'sadministrative assistant
is fourth at $34,684 and their assistant
accountant follows at $31,889 per
year.
All other staff members not
mentioned above are reported to
receive wages of less than $25,000
per year and thus no breakdown of
their wages is required to be reported.
This information was obtained from
reports that are required by law to be
submitted annually by the MAIC to
the Minnesota State Attorney
General's office. They are available
to be viewed by the general public at
any time, also by law.
Further information uncovered from
these reports reveals that for the past
four years MAIC has provided
employee wage advancements in the
amount of over $8,000 in 1989, and
over $16,000 in 1990. In 1991, they
jumped to $47,000.
When The Press still had not
received a copy ofthe 1992 financial
report after months of requesting it
from Fairbanks, the first trip to the
Attorney General's office was made.
At this time it was discovered by The
Turtle Island Blues To Open At The World theater
Minneapolis American Indian Center Under Scrutiny
Wellstone Speaks Out on Clinton Defending Scheme
Irwin Jacobs Addresses Indian Chamber of Commerce
Was-Wah-Gon Spearers Will Come To Mille Lacs
Center/Page 6
Senate Aide responds to Messinger Article
By Mel Rasmussen In this conversation she talked with
Irwin Jacobs Addresses Mn. American
Indian C. of C.
By Gary Blair
Irwin Jacobs, a prominent Minneapolis businessman addressed over
150 Indian and non-Indian business
owners and professionals at a breakfast meeting last Tuesday at the St.
Paul Sheridan Midway.
Jacobs told the group that based
upon his personal experience there is
as much to learn from failure as success. He stated that he learned a lot
from his father while growing up in
North Minnp^nolis. The senior Jacobs,
who only had a 5th grade education,
could speak 6 languages. He was a
peddler who taught his son that family
is the most important thing in this life
and it is the primary source of a man's
strength.
Irwin has reflected this belief in his
own life and speaks glowingly ofhis
wife of 30 years and his five children.
He explained that his second child, a
daughter, wasborn with cerebral palsy,
but that her life has been a true bless
ing rather than the curse doctors told
him it would be. She has given the
family a unity and understanding that
probably would not have existed without her.
He attributes his tremendous success in the business world directly to
the strength of his family values but
says it is difficult to evaluate his own
and other peoples' success.
Jacobs/Page 5
The Largest WeeMu Native Nevtrmoaoer
Ms. Sue Aberholden, one of Senator
Paul Wellstone's aides stated there was
an error in the article concerning
Kathleen Messinger and her alleged
statements. The article was in the
February 19, edition ofthe PRESS and
was titled, 'Messinger announces
"Party's Over" for Bellecourt and
Fairbanks'. Aberholden felt that she
must address this issue and set the
record straight
She stated that the remarks she made
were taken out of context and were
never made by her. She stated, "It really
pains me that this was taken out of
context IVebeena grass roots organizer
for years. I would never tell anyone to
kiss up to a county commissioner. That's
just not my style." Aberholden stated
that in her last conversation with Ms.
Messinger she discussed what has been
occurring on the Detox issue and gave
her opinion and perceptions on the
matter.
Messinger about the different
perceptions and attitudes that were
occurring within the community. She
stated, "It was difficult when you had
different leaders within the community
saying different things. The politicians
doesn't necessarily know who to listen
to. So wherever they could find some
common ground then that would be the
person they would listen to, and then
they would really need to firm up what
they wanted to do."
Aberholden went on to discuss the
Mclaughlin issue with Messinger and
was told by Messinger that she was
going to write a scathing letter
concerning him. She stated that
everyone needed to be aware that
Mclaughlin wouldbe in officefor several
more years and that if you burn bridges
then it would be more difficult to work
with him in the future. Aberholden felt
that at this point her words were
misconstrued or at least misunderstood
as to their intent
Aberholden went on to indicate that
part ofthe problem is in the issue that
nothing is coming along at a rate that
is acceptable to the community.
Because of this frustration level
tempers and anger come to light and
tend to block any perceived progress
in this issue. Aberholden felt that
normally staff aides do not get
involved with issues such as this but
because of severity ofthe problem she
took an active position with this issue.
But it was important to remember
that her involvement was one of an
individual involvement and not one
as a representative for a United States
Senator.
Aberholden concluded her
discussion with an observation that it
will be hard for the coalition to work
with Mclaughli n because ofthe article.
She felt that now was the time for the
coalition to define their direction and
then back up their position. Hopefully
then the issue ofthe Detox will slowly
but surely become resolved.
Native
Wm
ForAU
Founded in 1391     Volume SB Immum 4LEB     February BG, 1393
Minneapolis Native American Firefighters
Face Harassment in the workplace
By Mel Rasmussca
At the Mille Lacs Urban meeting
concerning the Treaty Rights and
DNR agreement another issue came
to the forefront. Mr. Mike Beaulieu, a
White Earth band member, spoke
about harassment that is occuring to
Minneapolis Native American
firefighters. Beaulieu stated that they
started a American Indian Firefighters
Association about a year ago and
these people are now taking a kicking
within the department because ofthe
treaty issues.
Beaulieu stated that about a year
ago there were people bringing
literature in about the treaty rights
issues. The association asked that this
material be removed as it was not
appropriate, the material was taken
out and then it returned again. This
cycle has continued to this date. He
then stated the following, "A week
ago, we asked them to take it out. Stay
neutral, it's none of your business, the
Indians are fighting for their rights
and we don't feel that the Minneapolis
Fire stations are the place or format to
fight the Indians. We are Indians, and
we don't want or like the comments
that are made. Such as I've been on
the force for 21 years and have a job
so I'm not an Indian. To me this is a
racist comment."
Beaulieu stated that the issues have
come to the forefront and that these
issues need to be addressed. According
to Beaulieu the Chief of firelighters,
has been pretty good in keeping this
abrasive literature out ofthe stations.
However, there are certain individuals
who refuse to follow this procedure.
The literature that has been in question
concerns itself with raising money to
fight the treaty rights issue. Beaulieu
stated that he believed that police and
firemen should not be involved with
fighting this type of fight. Their job is
for the community and not for the
involvement of taking treaties apart.
Beaulieu also stated that there was
one Captain at a station who felt that
it was all right for hate information to
be posted in the station house and that
the Indians should not have that right
at all.
Photo by Mel Rasmussen
Dave Sams(l), addresses Mille Lacs Band Members about the Mille Lacs/DNR Agreement
Urban Mille Lacs Band Members Meet Over
A new UNION to meet in Minneapolis
By Mel Rasmussen
While the winter season rages on,
springtime appears ready to bloom
for an American Indian Olympic
nation. Officials of the organization
UNION, which is directing the
Olympic movement, will be returning
to Minneapolis for a major conference
Feb. 26-28.
UNION which stands for "Unite
Now Indian Olympic Nation", will be
conducting its conferences at the
downtown Minneapolis Hilton and
Towers, where UNION officials hope
to establish international sports
federations and national American
Indian Olympic teams, This process
is the final step before applying for
independent status for the 1996
Olympic Games in Atlanta, according
to UNION officials.
The weekend conferences are hosted
by UNION Vice President Edward
Lohnes (Devils Lake Sioux/Bad River
Chippewa), who is a job developer for
the American Indian OIC in
Minneapolis. Lohnes (whose traditional
name is: Mino-Gi-Shik, "Good Sky") is
excited that the conference has been
arranged during a whirlwindfor Native
American activities in the Minneapolis
Area. During this same weekend the
Heart of the Earth Survival School
will celebrate its 21st anniversary at
the Minneapolis Convention Center
with its eighth annual contest Pow-
Wow, which the school is sponsoring
in conjunction with the American
Indian OIC.
Over 10,000 people are expected to
attend the weekend Pow-Wow, and
UNION President Steve Lopez sees
this event as a great chance to spread
the word on the Olympic quest. Lopez,
a member of the Fort Mohave Tribe
and a journalist and wheelchair
athlete, will be on hand with other
UNION officials to greet the public at
the Pow-Wow, which includes 300
dancers and 15 drum groups from 22
Indian nations to help celebrate the
Native American K-12 school.
This is the second conference in the
Twin Cities area for UNION which
had its Olympic resolution endorsed
last June by the National Congress of
American Indians. Last November,
the Mystic Lake Casino hosted
UNION officials, and the sessions
brought about the UNION Olympic
Charter. During that conference,
UNION officers elected were Lopez,
Lohnes, and Betty Martin (Gee
WauGeezhigoike, "Going Home Sky
Woman") who is a tribal officer for
the Lake Superior Chippewas. Other
members of the Executive Council
are Eric Krawczyk of the Oneida
Tribe; Patti Catalano (Micmac), one
ofthe premier female marathoners of
the 1980s; and Teresa Thorpe (Sac
and Fox/Potawatomi/Kickapoo),
granddaughter of the legendary Jim
Thorpe.
Last November, Krawczyk, who is
Chairman of UNION Athletes
announced that UNION will focus on
five Olympic sports: Track and Field,
Boxing, Basketball, Weightlifting and
Wrestling. UNION is also forming a
Canoe and Kayak Olympic Federation.
Other sports being considered for the
Indian Olympic Team are Archery,
Pentathlon, Swimming, Volleyball,
Baseball, Rowing and Team Handball.
UNION is also being aided by world
renowned track coach, Dick Brown,
who has trained some ofthe world's
premier athletes, including fabled
miler Mary Decker.
According to organizers ofthe event
there will be a lot of work to
accomplish for this organization.
Prior to submitting its application to
the International Olympic Committee.
Saturday's meeting will focus on
amendments to its charter, setting up
the related National Sports
Federations necessary for the games
and spreading the word of the
formation of this Indigenous Native
committee. According to one
spokesperson from UNION they are
working on the issue of having this
organization represent all of the
Indigenous Natives in North America
and not just limited to the United
States.
UNION is taking applications from
those interested in joining a sports
federation. Contact UNION at Box
682, Bedford, Mass. 01730. Those
interested in donating money to
UNION should sendfunds to Mr. Lopez
at the Fort Mohave Tribe's non-profit
account. Mr. Lopez can be contacted at
500 Merriman Ave., Needles, Calif.
92363.
For further information on UNION,
call toll-free 1-800-972^244 andattend
the conference to find out what is
happening to thisexciting new venture.
Treaty Issues
By Mel Rasmussen
Last Sunday over seventy people
from the Mille Lacs Tribe met at the
Peacemaker Center in Minneapolis.
The purpose of this meeting was to
discuss the continuing failure by the
current Mille Lacs Reservation
Business Committe to consider their
position and recognize the issue of
the Urban band members. Also at
referendum scheduled by the current
administration to approve the Mille
Lacs/DNR treaty agreement.
Several speakers were presented to
bring the audience up to date about
the treaty rights issue and the concerns
of the Urban Mille Lacs Band
members. Dave Sams, stated the
following, "We really needed to
reorganize a voice out of the Twin
Cities area once again. Because there
We
outnumber a whole lot of folks, but
when it comes time for anything for
us we are overlooked. I think it is time
for us as Indian people living here in
the city to have a voice. This is one of
these issues." Sams went on to say
that he had a question about what was
really said in these treaties and why
was there such a push to get a
settlement. According to Sams, there
has not been a true representation
issue  also  was  the  upcoming   are so many of us out there.
St Croix Casino develops education
Mille Lacs/Page 3
programs for its employees
By Mel Rasmussen
One of the major issues that has
been of concern to the PRESS is the
involvement in the casinos for training
for Indian employees. There has been
no evidence in the past that any ofthe
Minnesota casinos has provided any
type of OJT or upgrade training for
their Indian staff. However, across
the state line in Wisconsin the St.
Croix casino has developed a number
of training programs and classes for
its workforce.
These programs range from
mandatory training and elective
classes to create a more responsible
employee workforce. Currently there
are eight programs that appear to
widely attended by the workforce.
The first course given to all casino
employees is a orientation course.
This course introduces new employees
to the casino and its employment
requirements. New employees also
are provided with an employee
handbook and employee benefit
package information. Management
staff of the casino, including
representatives from human
resources, payroll, security, the casino
hotel, and employee assistance, are
presenters for the orientation class.
As part of the class employees are
given a tour of the entire casino and
the new casino hotel. To this point
about 800 employees have attended
orientation class.
The next class required of all
employees is called Guest Services. It
is conducted weekly by Dennis
Sixbery. Since customer service is the
backbone ofthe casino business, the
St. Croix casino is committed to
providing all of its employees with
the techniques to make customer
service their first priority. Consisting
partly of prepared video-taped
material and partly of lecture
presentation by Mr. Sixbery, theclass
is a three-hour overview of the
essentials of customer service. Thus
far 500 employees have attended, with
the remainder ofthe casino employees
scheduled to attend in the near future.
The next class is on Alcohol
Awareness Education and will soon
be mandatory in the Midwest casino
environment. The St. Croix casino's
standard-setting Alcohol Awareness
program training is intended in part
to assist employees in identifying
casino guests who may be problem
drinkers or who are intoxicated and to
give them tools to deal with alcohol
impaired individuals. But perhaps an
even more significant feature of this
class is general information included
about alcohol's physiological effects,
its psychological effects, and the
dynamics of alcohol addiction. It's
important to identify problem among
the casino guests, but it's probably
even more important to each Casino
employee to be able to identify alcohol-
related problems in his or her own life
and to be able to deal with them
intelligently and effectively. Alcohol
awareness training cannot help but
St. Croix/Page 3
To Report Instances, of theft, embezzlement and misuse of your gaming funds, call the U.S. Department of Interior Inspector
General's Hotline at 1-800-424-5081. Your calls will be kept confidential.