Red Lake High School

Red Lake High School is a public state-funded high school in unincorporated Red Lake, in Beltrami County, northern Minnesota, USA. The high school is located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation on which members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indians live, and has over 300 students. The school's mascots are the "Ogichidaag" and "Ogichidaakwag" (warriors and lady warriors). The school also hosts its own radio station, Ka-MOD (94.1 FM). The school is a part of Red Lake School District (Independent School District #38).

Beginning

Public education first began in Red Lake with the formation of School District 119. In 1935 ground was broken on the construction of what is now Red Lake High School, with the doors first opening to students in 1936.

The school became well known after the 2005 shooting, receiving much attention in the media and internet.

March 2005 shootings

On March 21, 2005, Jeff Weise, who at the time was a student at Red Lake, killed his grandfather and grandfather's partner with a handgun, before stealing two more firearms and driving to Red Lake High where he opened fire on students and faculty, shooting more than 15 people, several of whom died.

He later killed himself after being wounded by police fire. Most of his victims were students. The final death toll was 7, excluding the two victims at home and Weise's suicide.

Ojibwe culture

Red Lake High School students can sign up for Ojibwe language classes (the language is also taught in elementary and middle schools in the district) and have a chance to learn Ojibwe traditions from community elders. A culture center, opened in 2004, is furnished in Ojibwe style. Decorations include carved animal symbols of the seven clans of the Red Lake Band (bear, turtle, bullhead, mink, eagle, pine marten and kingfisher) placed on a high shelf running around the room, and the words for the four directions carved into the walls.

References

* Red Lake Tribal Council, Council Office, Library and Archives (tel. [phone])
* [http://www.nwrel.org/indianed/cbe/2004.pdf Ojibwe language teaching]
* [http://www.rlnn.com/ArticlesSep04/RLSchoolAddition.html RLSchool Addition]
* [http://www.rlnn.com/ArticlesSep04/SchoolDedication.html School Dedication]

External links

* [http://www.paulbunyan.net/rlschools/hs.htm Red Lake High School web site]
* [http://www.rlnn.com Red Lake Net News]