the tv stations in minneapolis initially reported that children had
witnessed the murder on the leech lake indian reservation. upon release
of the victims and perpetrator's identities and learning that neither
victim nor perpetrator was american indian, they have dropped all
reference to leech lake. the woman was shot four times at point blank
range. the murderer then kicked her body and when she moved he shot her
again. he then fled the scene in the woman's car an was at large. his
body was discovered later in the day at ogema lake where he had taken his
own life. there was a history of domestic violence, and there was a
restraining order against the perpetrator.
the driver and aid on the bus had the children get down on the floor of the
bus when they realized what was happening, but there were also children
outside the bus who had not boarded yet. the walker school arranged for
counselors to meet the children at the school. the onigum village has held
a community meeting and are arranging for indian counselors to help the
children and the families with the aftermath or this hideous crime. some
of the children have been able to express their anguish, others have not.
there was much fear in the children knowing that the perpetrator was still
"out there on the reservation, somewhere."
again, we humbly ask for your prayers, not only for our little ones here,
but for all the little ones and young people throughout this country who's
lives are being altered by the violence they witness. they are our future
and we are their role-models.
we heard the reverend billy graham say that america is on a wrong road. we
believe that 'america' has been on that wrong road since the first
slaughter of women, children and elders at the hands of those who came here
to exploit. "america" was founded on the blood of these innocents and this
violence has come back, twisting ever faster to wreak that same destruction
and devastation.
it is the responsibility of each of us as adults to know who the children
in our communities are and to secure their safety and wellbeing. the
creator has gifted us with the future: these little ones. they learn most
by watching the adults in their environment. please, know who they are
watching.
mii gwetch and wa do.
bernard and feather rock
feather eaglerock, leech lake rez
english is a foreign language. reclaim the language of your people and
send it to the future as your gift to your grandchildren's grandchildren.
di-ka-ne'-tsv a'-qua-tse'-li ha-htv-gi, wa-do' do-da-da-go'-hv