Weeping With Those Who Weep at Red Lake Reservation

The memorial fence extends for nearly a football field in length in front of the Red Lake Middle School. Bordering the main street through Red Lake, it is seen by each person walking or driving past the school. Red Lake High School is part of the same grounds, being somewhat recessed further back and to the left of the Middle School. A “Police Line, Do Not Cross” tape is strung across the entry leading back to the High School. Two police vehicles keep station behind the tape, with grim-faced tribal police Officers maintaining guard over the crime scene.

Standing silently before the memorial fence, I reflected upon the similarities and differences between our Columbine tragedy six years previous, and this latest horrific attack at Red Lake High School. I read and re-read the meager signs and placards on the fence expressing sorrow and support for the hurting families, and personal messages to the deceased victims. A few crosses, flowers, and some teddy bears were laid lovingly along the base of the fence. The similarities rapidly broke down however, after I quickly came to the end of the fence. The differences then came into stark focus. . .

After only ten days had passed since the second worst school violence since Columbine, all visible evidence of the news media was . . . gone. The parking lot across the road from the memorial was empty. No uplink trucks, no interview booths with national news personalities interviewing students, parents, teachers, and anyone else who had a story to share. . . No candlelight vigils with weeping students and parents . . . In fact, as I visited the site last Friday on a beautiful sunny day, the tenth day since the tragedy, there was NO ONE at the fence other than myself and my three friends. I was absolutely astounded.

Those of us who were in Littleton six years previous remember all too well the MONTHS of incessant media presence, the day and night vigils around Columbine High School in all kinds of weather, and the growing mountains of flowers, cards, memorabilia, signs, banners, and endless expressions of grief and sorrow. Our city was overrun by people from all over the world who came to hold vigil with us, see the school for themselves, and mourn. In the second week after the tragedy at Columbine, our community held a rally in a nearby theater parking lot with over 50,000 people in attendance, with the Vice President, Governor, and many, many other dignitaries and visitors from all over the world. Funerals were broadcast internationally, and the world wept with us over the tragic loss of thirteen innocent victims and two perpetrators.

No such rallies have occurred or are planned forRed Lake. No cameras whatsoever were tolerated at any of the wakes or funerals. Any media person caught moving about beyond the designated areas were arrested, and in some cases, their equipment was confiscated. As a result, after a week of being denied the opportunity to tell the story of the tragedy, the media just simply walked away. Only the tiniest part of the stories of heroic actions on the part of the Derrick Brun, the security Officer at the school who took bullets trying to protect students, or the brave English teacher Neva Rogers have been told.Rogers took a stand between the killer Jeff Weise and her students, and prayed.

According to 15-year-old Ashley Lajeunesse,Rogers said "God be with us. God help us," after ordering students to hide under desks and tables.

After Jeff Weise shot through a window, he marched into the classroom as Rogers stood her ground and prayed. Chongai'la Morris, 14, said, "He walked up to that teacher with the shotgun and he pulled the trigger but it didn't fire. Then he pulled out his pistol and he shot her three times in the side and once in the face." Neva Rogers was a true hero and martyr. Sadly, far too few have heard her story.

There are many reasons why the reservation was so resistant to opening their hearts and grief for the world to see. Some of the reasons were entirely legitimate, in that the Tribal Council wanted to protect their people in a time of very private and heartbreaking grief. As one who witnessed the often insensitive media circus that swirled around our own community, I can heartily agree with the Council’s effort to minimize the pain to the families.

On the other hand, the lack cooperation and a Tribal Public Information Officer who could assist the media in their legitimate efforts to report the news made it nearly impossible for people in the media, many of them sympathetic, to get stories. The result? The world moved on, and now many on the reservation feel a certain bitterness over what they perceive as a lack of care and concern for them by the outside world. It’s a clear “Catch 22” situation.

An article by Nick Jans in USAToday delineates the situation as clearly and succinctly as any I’ve read so far… Go to http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/2005-04-04-redlake-denial_x.htm

Much was accomplished during my time atRed Lake!

Standing before Alecia White’s body at her wake, I choked back tears over the death of such a beautiful 14-year-old girl who was well-known for her Christian witness at Red Lake. Her maternal Grandmother sat with me later and recounted many endearing and intimate details of Alecia’s life. “She was such a bright light in my life,” she said. “We were very close, and I cannot imagine life without my precious granddaughter.” The old woman of the reservation, who had already endured many sorrows of life, wore sunglasses that unsuccessfully masked her eyes, reddened with many tears. Reaching out to touch her arm, we wept together.

Later, I had the honor of passing out and signing over 200 books to family and friends. Many shared with me how thankful they were for the book, in that it helped them to feel connected to another community that understood their pain. “You have come from so far to stand with our people,” said one of the elderly, hereditary Chiefs I met. “Thank you for this honorable kindness.” Hearts touched, and cultures were joined briefly in grief. At Officer Derrick Brun’s funeral, his elderly father embraced me in a bear-hug and shared tears with me. The proud old man tearfully looked into my eyes. “You have honored us by coming in this time of sorrow. May God bless you!”  

I was also given the honor of singing a special song at Alecia’s wake. Many wept. During my time there, I gave out over a thousand copies of my book, The Martyrs’ Torch – The Message of the Columbine Massacre.

Accompanied by Darrell Auginash, I was afforded a rare meeting with the Tribal Chairman, Mr. Floyd Jourdain, in his office. After expressing my condolences on behalf of our community, we stood in a circle holding hands. I prayed with Chairman  Jourdain and a few members of his staff. I found him to be a sensitive man and compassionate leader to the people of Red Lake. Please pray for him, as his own son has been implicated in a possible conspiracy with Jeff Weise. These charges have not been proven, and Mr. Jourdain remains confident that his son will be cleared once all evidence is heard. I gave copies of my book to these hurting leaders and their staff. Please pray that the words will touch their hearts and lead them to the only lasting peace that exists… the grace of Jesus.

Knowing the pain and stress that emergency responders often endure, especially at the scene of such violence against children, I also met with the Red Lake Fire Department and Paramedics. Darrell, myself, and some other friends cooked up some deer hamburgers and Indian fry-bread for the firefighters. The Chief of the Department gave me a patch to share with my home department.

All in all, my time was well-spent, with hundreds ministered to, prayed with, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon us all.

I was honored to stay in the home of Darrell and Corky Auginash. Darrell is an Ojibwa Indian who lived all his life on Red Lake Reservation. His mother, brothers and sisters, and their families remain there to this day. His nephew Ryan survived a .40-caliber bullet to the chest in the school shooting. As a Christian of many years and a Bible School graduate, Darrell has a long-term burden and vision for his people. He wants to found a Christian School for the Native American students of Red Lake that will not only offer academic excellence, but a healthy cultural orientation in their Native American heritage. Darrell has written some excellent modules for Native American studies that could easily become a national template for reservation schools across the country. He sees a long-term solution to the problems facing young people. You may contact him directly at: darrella@paulbunyan.net or phone him at 320-390-0605.

If any of you desire to minister to the people of Red Lake, I highly recommend that you contact Darrell. He is “wired in” to the community spiritually and culturally, having labored for Christ there for many years. Please, do not attempt to lead or participate in an outreach or team effort to this community without checking in with Darrell and those he works with. Well-meaning efforts by outsiders can do as much harm as good if not led by experienced leaders in the local Native American community.

THANKS FOR HELPING ME GO!

I conclude with the following scripture. . .2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.”

Blessings to one and all!

"Mino-Baamaa-Di-Zan" (Ojibwa for "See ya later!")

Bruce