Elders coalition formed,

Vonda Dauphinais-Gluck (Leech Lake Ojibwe) and Lorraine Tibbetts (Nett Lake Ojibwe), of the newly formed Leech Lake Twin Cities Elders’ Coalition, presented each of the new incoming officers of the Leech Lake of Ojibwe (Arthur “Archie" LaRose, Chairman: Mike Bongo, Secretary treasurer, and Eugene Whitebird, District III Representative) each with an eagle feather on July 4 at the Cass Lake Swearing-In Ceremony.

Many elders were able to attend as food, lodging and transportation was provided. The elders coalition, headed by Dolores Wakefield, has many achievable goals ahead. A few issue which are important to the Leech Lake Twin Cities Elder’ Coalition and which were brought forward to the Local Indian Council for review, discussion and supportive action were: communication by phone tree system; trips back to the reservation for Memorial Day, annual powwows, casino trips, and elders conferences; community skills training for Local Indian Council and Leech Lake Twin Cities Elders’ Council; fundraising for aforementioned activities; and budgets for development strategies which are intended to support basic coalition operational needs and short term activities.

Fondly,

Vonda Gluck, Elder Advocate