An informational dinner meeting was held at the Grand Portage log community building on Wednesday, March 24. About 75 people turned out to talk about a new community cultural center/museum in Grand Portage. Approximately 40 people completed a survey asking about general preferences regarding building size, shape, and design. Left: Facilitating the community meeting was Tribal Historic Preservation OfficerVicki Raske and Assistant Bob Swanson (pictured). Below: Attendees learned about museum development from Museum Consultant Christina Breault (pictured below) and Sam Olbeksen (White Earth).
The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe has been awarded over $700,000 to help six reservations reduce energy use and create green jobs, and Grand Portage Tribal Council Executive Assistant Dana Logan said Grand Portage would be receiving approximately $50,000.
The funding comes from a provision in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which directs the Department of Energy to create jobs by investing in energy efficiency programs. Congressman James Oberstar issued a statement, noting, “This is an investment that will have an immediate return – creating jobs weatherizing homes and businesses. It will also pay long-term dividends. Lowering energy costs will put more money in the pockets of home and business owners, which will stimulate economic growth and enhancing energy efficiency will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Logan agreed. “This will enable us to look into better energy solutions, to look at a variety of energy options.”
The funding will be divided up among the six component reservations that make up the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe: the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake), Fond du Lac Band, Grant Portage Band, Leech Lake Band, Mille Lacs Band and the White Earth Band.
Nationally, Recovery Act funding of energy efficiency programs will total $3.2 billion, by the end of this year. Of that, $2.7 billion will be awarded through formula grants to more than 2,300 cities, counties, states and Indian tribes.
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