Warroad man continues fight for property - Thief River Falls Times ...

Saturday, September 29, 2012 NORTHERN WATCH Page 9
Two people injured
in accident Tuesday
Two people, including a
Minnesota State Patrol trooper,
were injured after an accident
Tuesday night in Polk County.
Virgil P. Benoit, 69, Red Lake
Falls, was taken to Altru
Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.,
with non-life threatening
injuries, according to the
Minnesota State Patrol report.
An Altru nursing supervisor
said Benoit was listed in satisfactory
condition there Friday
morning.
Trooper Dean R. Smith, 47,
Thief River Falls, suffered a
minor injury and went to
RiverView Hospital in
Crookston.
At the time of the accident,
Smith was driving a 2009 Chevy
Tahoe westbound on U.S.
Highway 2. He turned the
squad into the median turnaround
to pursue a speeding
vehicle in an eastbound lane of
Highway 2. After he turned onto
Highway 2, his squad was rearended
by Benoit’s 2012 Mazda 3.
After the crash, Benoit’s car left
the highway to the right and
rolled. No alcohol was involved.
Both drivers were wearing their
seat belts. Benoit’s car was
totalled, and the squad sustained
moderate damage.
The State Patrol, Crookston
Police Department, Minnesota
Department of Natural
Resources Enforcement Division
of St. Paul and Polk County
Sheriff’s Office were dispatched
to the scene at 7:51 p.m.
Tuesday. The accident remains
under investigation.
Warroad man continues fight for property
(Continued from Page 1)
because he is a peaceful, lawbiding
citizen. But that doesn’t
mean he will stop fighting for
what he believes is rightfully his
family’s land.
“We’re going to continue
fighting for what is ours,”
Kakaygeesick said. “It’s been
our property since Teddy
Roosevelt gave it to us.”
In 1905, President Theodore
Roosevelt signed a land patent
allotting Kakaygeesick Bay to
Kakaygeesick’s great-grandfather
Chief Everlasting Sky. A
2005 Minnesota Public Radio
article states that the federal
government wanted the Ojibwe
living in the Warroad area to
move to either the Red Lake or
White Earth reservations.
Those who refused to move were
granted land, but they were no
longer recognized as American
Indians.
Kakaygeesick said the Red
Lake Tribe made its initial purchase
offer shortly after his
father’s death in 1998.
“They took us out for dinner
and told us that they were interested
in buying our property,”
Kakaygeesick said. “We told
them it was not for sale.
Everyone enjoys living on the
property – it’s tax free. My
grandfather had lived on the
property since 1905.”
Kakaygeesick said Red Lake
claimed that the property was
entrusted to them, by the U.S.
Government, when they made
their initial purchase offer.
Kakaygeesick begged to differ.
He said the original land patent,
that had been signed by
Roosevelt, entrusted it to
Everlasting Sky after 25 years.
Everlasting Sky died in 1968.
Kakaygeesick said his greatgrandfather’s
last will and testament
originally gave the land
to his father. He said the will
was changed at some point to
give the land to Mary Angus,
Everlasting Sky’s oldest daughter.
Kakaygeesick’s cousins, who
inherited the land from Angus
but had almost no connection to
it, agreed to sell the land to the
Red Lake Tribe for the sum of $1
million.
Kakaygeesick says the sale is
a fraud because it wasn’t his
cousins’ land to sell. Copies of
Mary Angus’ last will and testament
were introduced during a
probate hearing in
International Falls. The showed
that the property went to
Kakaygeesick’s father.
Angus’ original will could not
be located. The copies were
deemed to be insufficient evidence
and Red Lake Band’s purchase
of the property was
upheld.
Kakaygeesick said that he
described what had happened at
the probate hearing to Bureau
of Indian Affairs attorney
Marrianna Roca Shulstad. She
said the two copies of the will,
that had been introduced at the
hearing, should have been recognized
as being legally valid.
Due to a lack of funds, the
Kakaygeesicks were without
legal representation at the probate
hearing. They had previously
worked with the Leonard,
Street and Deinard law firm of
Minneapolis, who had been
unable to locate any documentation
that would tie the land to
Kakaygeesick’s father.
Kakaygeesick now feels there
was definite fraud involved.
“We were ignorant as far as
knowledge,” Kakaygeesick said.
“If we would have had our attorneys
there, it would probably be
a different story and we wouldn’t
be getting kicked out.”
Kakaygeesick added that he
would like to see an investigation
by the U.S. Department of
Justice, or even Congress. He
has sent information on his case
to President Barack Obama,
noting that the land was given
to them by a president and may
take the president for them to
get it back.
Officials concerned
over mail-in balloting
(Continued from Page 1)
and 90 percent of Marshall
county precincts (55 of 61) rely
on absentee-balloting by mail.
Kittson
County
Commissioner Betty Younggren
echoed Bouvette’s concerns citing
the “tremendous costs” to
Kittson and Marshall counties
to pay for this infrastructure
should the amendment pass.”
Elections officials around the
state and the Secretary of
State’s office have calculated the
amendment to cost anywhere
from $30 to over $50 million for
state and local governments to
implement. In Kittson county
alone – with roughly 2,800 eligible
voters – the
GreaterMNCounts.org report
has estimated costs at $250 per
Kittson county voter.
Stumpf said he is also
alarmed at the estimated costs
to rural municipalities if the
amendment were to pass.
“These are costs our rural taxpayers
and local governments
can’t bear. Anything put in
statute can be changed. But if
it’s locked into the state constitution,
we can’t fix any resulting
problems.”
Former Kittson County
Auditor Elden Johnson talked
Shannon Converse and her father Jeff Burkland both donned
Running for your Fight shirts during the 2012 Fargo
Marathon. Converse was running for her father, who is battling
lung cancer. (Submitted)
about how he helped usher in
mail-in balloting back in 1987
as a common-sense solution for
aging and declining rural populations.
“I can’t see mail-in balloting
working if this amendment
passes. If you’re mailing
your ballot in, you can’t show a
photo ID.”
Minnesota towns and municipalities
with fewer than 400
registered voters currently can
conduct elections via mail. Most
have no infrastructure – including
accessible polling locations,
trained election judges and
equipment – to process in-person
balloting. Due to specific
language contained in the constitutional
amendment requiring
“substantially-equivalent
identity and eligibility verification,”
the current process of
mail-in balloting would have to
change because voters don’t vote
in person where they could actually
show photo identification.
Bouvette chided the state legislators
back in St. Paul who
placed the amendment on the
ballot. “I think they forgot about
us again up here in northwestern
Minnesota. This amendment
is just costly and wrong for
our state.”
Kakaygeesick also questions
how Red Lake can build a casino
on the property, which has been
rumored. He cites the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988,
which prohibits Indian gaming
on lands acquired after Oct. 17,
1988.
Dozens responded to
Facebook posts last week calling
for support of the
Kakaygeesicks in their fight to
save their property. A Facebook
page dedicated to supporting
the Kakaygeesicks and their
battle can be found at www.facebook.com/KakaygeesickBayActi
onAndLegalFund.
An account has also been
established at Security State
Bank in Warroad to help the
Kakaygeesick family afford
legal representation.
Calls to Red Lake Nation
were not returned as of
press-time Friday.
TRF native creates a new world
of paranormal romance
(Continued from Page 1)
between November 2012 and
September 2013 by Harlequin’s
Nocturne imprint.]
The 1983 Lincoln High
School graduate writes novels
and short stories. “The majority
are paranormal romance,” she
said. Hauf has also written
some historical romance pieces.
She said she likes the romance
genre but likes having weird
creatures in her stories. Under
the pseudonym Alex Archer,
Hauf also writes action/adventure
books without any romance
thrown into the mix.
Hauf usually has more than
one story in progress and sometimes
as many as three or four.
She flits between them while
writing each day. She said, on
Newfolden “Zumbathon” benefits
the American Cancer Society
(Continued from Page 1)
strenth and range of motion,
and other classes that combined
cardio workouts with stretching.
Converse became a certified
Zumba instructor in August
2011.
Zumba is a little higher
intensity than the other classes,
Converse admitted. Like the old
adage, “You get out of it what
you put into it,” Zumba can be
done by dancers of all ages and
skill levels.
Running for Your Fight
In January, Converse’s father
Jeff Burkland was diagnosed
with lung cancer. The cancer is
treatable and Burkland is in the
midst of at least a year’s worth
of treatment.
Burkland is now nine months
into his fight with lung cancer.
He underwent six months of
chemotherapy, had a portion of
his left lung removed and is currently
undergoing an additional
six months of treatment.
“It takes a lot out of him, but
he is doing well,” Converse said.
The first person Shannon
Converse hugged after crossing
the finish line in the 2012
Fargo Marathon was her
father Jeff Burkland, who is
being treated for lung cancer.
Converse competed in the
marathon as a way to show
her father that he is not facing
cancer alone.
(Submitted)
Westaker Free Lutheran Church
to celebrate 125 years
Westaker Free Lutheran
Church of Newfolden will celebrate
125 years on Sunday,
Sept. 30.
Vest Aker congregation was
organized at the Soren Sorenson
home on Feb. 13, 1887 in section
20 of New Folden Township. The
church was named after Vest
Aker, Norway, which later
became Oslo, and was the home
of Soren Sorenson before his
immigration to America.
The original affiliation of Vest
Aker Church of rural Newfolden
was with the Norwegian-Danish
Evangelical Lutheran Church of
America, a church body that
existed from 1870 to 1890. Rev.
Elias Aas, a pastor at St.
Hilaire, was the first clergyman
to serve Vest Aker. Later affiliation
was with the Lutheran Free
Church, a Lutheran body in
America from 1897 to 1963.
When the congregation transitioned
from Norwegian to
English, the name became
Westaker, with a more English
spelling and pronunciation. In
1962, Westaker became a charter
member of the Association of
Free Lutheran Congregations.
Now, 125 years after its birth,
Westaker remains a Lutheran
congregation in the community
of Newfolden. “From Generation
to Generation, Thou Art God” is
the theme chosen for this 125th
anniversary celebration. Pastor
Bob Lee, a student pastor at
Westaker in 1963, and past
president of the Association of
Free Lutheran Congregations,
will speak at the 10:30 a.m.
service. A dinner will be served
at noon and the anniversary celebration
service, with a history
presentation, special music and
greetings from former pastors
will begin at 3 p.m. The congregation
of Westaker, together
with Pastor Phil Rokke, invite
all former members, friends and
neighbors to attend and share in
this special occasion.
Stroke support
group to meet
Oct. 10
The Stroke Support Group
will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 10
at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room 2 at
RiverView Health. The Stroke
Support Group meets on the
second Wednesday of each
month, April through October,
and is hosted by Marie
Johnstad, Speech-Language
Pathologist. For easiest access,
attendees should park in the
north parking lot and enter
through the north RiverView
Clinic entrance near the meeting
rooms. For more information
on the Stroke Support Group,
call the RiverView Speech
Language
Pathology
Department at 218-281-9438 or
1-800-743-6551, extension 438.
average, it takes her about four
months to write an 80,000-word
book.
Once she is finished with a
manuscript, it goes through two
edits. The first edit, called a
copy edit, involves a copy editor
and an editor reading through
the manuscript. They suggest
some changes, and then Hauf
has an opportunity to approve
those changes and add her own.
From there, the manuscript
becomes a galley, meaning it
looks more like the finished
product, and that’s the final
opportunity to say something is
wrong or needs to be changed. It
takes about seven to eight
months before a book makes it
through the entire process. It’s
less for short stories.
With her father battling for
his life, Converse chose to enter
her own battle by competing in
the 2012 Fargo Marathon.
Running wasn’t something
Converse would have turned to
more than a few years ago. She
began running in January 2008.
Keri Anderson, a co-worker in
Sanford’s rehabilitation department,
asked her if she was
interested in running a
marathon. Converse had absolutly
no interest in running a
marathon but she allowed herself
to be persuaded by
Anderson to start running as
Anderson’s training partner.
Over the next three years,
Converse ran in a variety of
races ranging from 5K to half
marathon. Her father’s battle
with cancer was the right motivation
for her to try her hand at
the full 26.2-mile marathon.
Converse began building up
mileage to ready herself for the
marathon. To make sure she
could handle the marathon’s
grueling distance, Converse
completed a 30-mile training
run five weeks before the Fargo
Marathon. (She later ran another
30 miles to celebrate her 30th
birthday in June.)
On May 19, Converse completed
her first marathon in
Fargo, N.D. Running with
Converse was Kandy Efta, who
also accompanied Converse on
some of her longer training
runs. “She was very supportive,”
Converse said.
Part-time position
working within a friendly
environment.
Excellent earning potential.
No previous experience
required…we’ll train
the right person.
Must be able to work
10 am - 7 pm and
weekends.
Apply at
1875 Hwy 59 South
Thief River Falls, MN
Sugar Beet Drivers: Will pay $20/hour,
sleeping room will be provided. Call 701-
825-6940. 2t78p
LPN or TMA: Good Samaritan in Warren,
MN has 1 opening for this full-time position,
with a $1,000 sign-on bonus. For
more information, call Tracy Mosloff, RN,
DNS @ 218-745-5282. To apply, visit our
website www.good-sam.com ~ AA-EOE-
M/F/Vet/Handicap 73tfc
FAMILY BOWL seeks part-time help:
Apply in person at Hwy 32 South in Thief
River Falls.
65tfc
Part-time Position ~ Altra Care:
Experienced in medical care, LPN or
CNA to work in a chiropractic clinic setting.
Afternoon hours, no holidays, competitive
starting wage. Resumes only to
fax: 218-681-4655 or email:
donna@Altracare.net ~ No phone calls
please. F2t80c
HELP WANTED
Daytime Customer
Service and Deli
Full- & Part-time
positions available
Apply At
HWY. 1 & 59 N.
THIEF RIVER FALLS
New Horizon Foods at RiverView Health
is now accepting applications for newly
created Short Order/Line Cook position.
Cooks will prepare room service meals
per order for our hospital patients.
Experience preferred. Also hiring Dietary
Aides. Applications available in the
RiverView Café, 323 S. Minnesota St.,
Crookston or email resumes to Jasmine
at nhorizons@riverviewhealth.org 4t78c
DENTAL RECEPTIONIST/ASSISTANT:
Another full-time dental receptionist
needed for busy office. Prefer assisting
experience, fabulous verbal skills, people
person, outgoing, good customer service
skills, computer savvy. Send resume to
318 LaBree Avenue North, Thief River
Falls, MN 56701 or
helmichfrontdesk@gmail.com until
October 8, 2012. 4t80c
Certified Nursing Assistants are needed
at the Warren Good Samaritan: We
have openings on the day and night shifts
from full- to part-time. To apply, visit
www.good-sam.com ~ For more information,
call 218-745-5282 and talk to Tracy
Mosloff, RN, DNS. AA-EOE-
M/F/Vet/Handicap 73tfc
Full- or Part-Time
OFFICE HELP
AUCTION SETUP
Apply in Person at
MCMULLEN
Auctioneers
1601 Hwy 59 SE
Thief River Falls
Email:
mcmullensales@mncable.net
POSITION OPEN
UNTIL FILLED
When she crossed the finish
line, Converse was greeted by a
large support group that included
her father; her mother,
Bernadine Burke; her brother
Darren and his kids; her supportive
husband, Derick, who
made training for the marathon
possible, and their two daughters,
Madison, 5, and Morgan, 2.
The first person she hugged was
her father.
Outside of running, Converse
has become a big supporter of
the American Cancer Society.
Last year, she was one of the
instructors who led a
Zumbathon in St. Hilaire that
was a Relay for Life fundraiser.
Earlier this year, Converse
walked in the Relay for Life
with her father; and during the
event, she taught a Zumba class
that benefitted Relay for Life.
Efta, who was one of the participants
in the class, suggested
that she lead a Zumbathon as a
benefit for her father.
“I was at first going to do it as
a fundraiser for my dad,”
Converse said. “He suggested
that we do it for ACS.”
After Converse put the word
out about the Zumbathon, other
people responded with stories
that were similar to her father’s
story. “That’s when we decided it
should be for everyone,”
Converse said.
Joining Converse as instructors
for the Oct. 7 Zumbathon
are Kjelsy Loffler from Studio K
and Andi Sorvig.
THE CLASSIFIEDS
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
DENTAL HYGIENIST needed full-time
for a friendly, patient-oriented general
practice dental clinic. Please fax resume
to 218-681-1113 or call 218-681-4506
DIESEL REPAIR: Greg Hanson Trucking
in Karlstad, MN is looking for an energetic,
self-motivated person to assist our
head mechanic with general repairs on
semi trucks and trailers. Prefer knowledge
in air brakes, electrical repairs, tire
repairs, oil changes, etc. Starting pay
based on experience. Call 218-436-4695
for more info. 74tfc
- SEEKING DAY PERSON -
Mon - Fri 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stop in for application
906 Hwy 32 South • TRF
CARRIER BOYS AND GIRLS wanted to
deliver the Northern Watch each Friday
evening. Great starter job, must be at
least 11 years old. Stop in at The Times
for an application. 324 Main Ave. N., TRF.
55tfe
DENTAL HYGIENIST: Second hygienist
wanted, part-time at dual offices in TRF.
Laser trained or will train, perio and
implant experience desired. Work with
energetic staff, computer savvy a must.
Send resume to 318 LaBree Avenue
North, Thief River Falls, MN 56701 or
helmichfrontdesk@gmail.com until
October 8, 2012. 4t80c
SHEERS SALON has an immediate
opening for a cosmetologist, approximately
30-40 hours/week. Please pick up
an application at 309 Main Avenue North,
TRF or call Mandy @ 218-681-1477.
P4t81p
CNA WANTED for in-home personal
cares: Also for cooking, housekeeping
and errands, $11.50/hour. Please leave
name and phone # @ 218-325-4377.
F3t80p
MECHANICS ~ TRANSYSTEMS has
openings throughout the Red River Valley
for mechanics to work on new equipment
in a safe, professional environment.
Flexible schedule, medical, dental, vacation
pay, holiday pay and 401k. Full-time,
year-round positions. Call today 800-557-
3520 or apply online @
transystemsllc.com 9t82c
HELP
WANTED
Looking For Motivated
Individuals Available To Work
a Flexible Schedule.
• BARTENDERS
• DOOR STAFF
• HOUSEKEEPING
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP/MANAGEMENT
Pick up an application at the front desk
Best Western Inn
of Thief River Falls
Highway 32 South
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!!
DRIVERS WANTED: Greg Hanson
Trucking in Karlstad, MN is looking for a
driver(s) to run team from Karlstad area
to Florida and back with dedicated reefer
freight. You will be home every weekend.
MUST have clean CDL record and 2
years OTR experience. Call 218-436-
4695. 67tfc
TRUCK DRIVER and Roto-beet operators
needed for October 1st start-up, variable
hours. Call 218-686-2840. 4t79p
CONCRETE LABORERS and finishers:
Experience a plus but will train the right
person. Applicant must be willing to work
overtime and an occasional Saturday.
Job involves bending and heavy lifting.
Apply in person @ Northwest Concrete
Products, 1200 West Center Street,
Roseau, MN or call for an application,
218-463-1111, ask for Stacy. 4t79c