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                                                                                                      Helen Wilkie

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 20, 2009

Grand opening for Nett Lake’s biggest infrastructure project

$11.5 million project to be celebrated, toured May 28

NETT LAKE, MINN. – The grand opening of Nett Lake’s biggest infrastructure project provides a refreshing counterpoint in an era marked by school closures, cuts and merges.

The $11.5 million project added 15,126 square feet to the school, remodeled 34,111 square feet of the existing school and added an additional 18,950 square feet for a state-of-the-art health and dental clinic. It was funded chiefly with a bond sale from the state.

In November 2006 voters overwhelmingly approved the project to expand the Nett Lake School and build a health and dental clinic, creating a hub of vital services and a free-flowing generational bridge. Now they’ll celebrate its first full year at a grand opening Thursday, May 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30.

Amid signs of regional hardship – rising unemployment rates and shrinking incomes – the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa has every reason to reinvest in Nett Lake students. They are a source of bright promise in bleak times, demonstrating impressive academic strides. Their reading scores leapt from 1269 in 2002 – barely above the state base of 1260 – to 1456 in 2005. Attendance is at 96 percent. And enrollment continues to rise, having nearly doubled from 1998 to 2007.

“The students have shown they believe in themselves,” Tribal Chairman Kevin Leecy said, “and this new building shows that people across our community and state believe in them, too. I’m proud that we’ve put our money where our mouth is. We have literally invested in our children.”

It’s hard to overestimate the impact of the new and improved school, Leecy added. “As Native Americans, we have a keen sense of place. We know this bright, resource-rich atmosphere will help our children reach their full potential.” 

The opportunity to better serve Elders is exciting, Leecy said. “This expanded campus is an expression of respect for our wisdom keepers. It makes it easier for our Elders to receive high-quality healthcare, and then, once they’re on campus, they can swing by the classrooms and share their stories.” 

School Superintendant and Nett Lake alumna Teresa Strong called the expanded school “a true education center for people of all ages and backgrounds.” She outlined a host of advantages. Having the health and dental clinic on campus is a great way to model healthcare careers to kids, Strong said. It also enables the school to better integrate healthy living.

“With this beautiful new building, I feel as though we’re defying the recession and redefining what it means to live in the Iron Range,” Leecy said. “Our timing couldn’t be better: More than ever, it is imperative that we provide easy and affordable access to vital health services and valuable educational programs.”

For example, the new health and dental clinic will offer a diabetes program, Elders services, nutrition programs, maternal child health, mental health diagnostics and chemical dependency assessments. The building will also provide educational programs, including GED classes and interactive TV college courses, cultural classes, Head Start and the Boys & Girls club.

Leecy expects the school and clinic to suit Bois Forte’s growing population. The birthrate on the reservation is up and Band members scattered across the country are returning, drawn to new jobs and increased resources.

“This is a new day,” Leecy said. “This is a place where generations come together, where our greatest resource, our people, are nourished and nurtured. This is where our story begins.” 

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