Northwest Minnesota Foundation Announces Round One IDEA Winners

Bemidji, MN – January 18, 2011-- Northwest Minnesota Foundation has announced the winners in Round One IDEA Competition. Seventeen ideas with the potential to be profitable business ventures were recently advanced to round two of the IDEA Competition. Round one of the competition closed December 31 and judges reviewed all submissions in early January.

The 17 winners were chosen from a wide geographic area. "We received applications from all over the region – Argyle, Bagley, Bemidji, Crookston, Fosston, Lake Bronson, McIntosh, Nevis, Park Rapids, Thief River Falls, and Warroad," said Michelle Landsverk, project coordinator. "We were extremely pleased with the quality of all the applications that we saw this year. Northwest Minnesota is truly a region of innovators."

The round one winners will now advance to the second round, for which they will have to submit a more detailed plan, due by February 28, 2011. From there, a panel of judges will select the finalists who will compete in the last round. The final judging takes place May 10. Up to five winners will each receive $10,000 to advance their innovative idea.

The main goal of the IDEA competition is to assist the most promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful venture.

The IDEA Competition is a project of Ingenuity Frontier, a collaboration of partners joined by a common purpose — to grow the economy of Northwest Minnesota by outfitting the next generation of homegrown innovators for success in the global marketplace.  IDEA sponsors are 360º Center for Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence, Bremer Banks of Crookston and Warren, Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, University of Minnesota, Crookston, and the Northwest Regional Small Business Development Center.  IDEA was made possible through a generous grant from the Blandin Foundation.

Innovators who missed this year's entry deadline are encouraged to continue refining their business ideas and enter the competition next year in September.  For more information on the competition, visit the IDEA website:  www.ideacompetition.org.

THREE TRIBES TO FORM CONSORTIUM, SIGN AGREEMENT

THREE TRIBES TO FORM EDUCATION CONSORTIUM,
WILL SIGN AGREEMENT

Photos and Story by Michael Meuers

On the second day of a two-day Education Summit, Thursday January 20th, 2011, a very special agreement will be signed about noon by the Chairs of three Indian Nations.  The event will be held at the Seven Clans Casino and Event Center at Red Lake

The Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth Tribes will come together and pledge to cooperate and work together on educational improvements in such crucial areas as Ojibwe language preservation, Indian education improvements, grant partnering and grant endorsements.  

"The idea for this new three-Tribe educational consortium, (with mutually beneficial advocacy efforts) was partially patterned from the very successful Tri-Tribes Economic Development Commission organized in 2006", said Red Lake Nation College president Dan King.  "The three Tribal chairs from Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake, along with the three Tribal College presidents, will all sign this historic Education Nation agreement", he said.  "The plan is to also have an agreement signed by the three Education Directors/Superintendents of schools", King concluded.

SUMMARY OF THE EDUCATION NATION CONSORTIUM RESOLUTION BETWEEN RED LAKE, LEECH LAKE & WHITE EARTH TRIBAL NATIONS.  To Be Signed on Thursday, January 20, 2011

WHEREAS, the three Tribes of Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth have historically close ties; and since we are all members of the Great Ojibwe Nation; and all share the same Ojibwe language and culture; and have recently worked together on economic development and social issues; and have similar educational challenges; and each have Tribal Colleges to serve their respective Tribal Communities;

BE IT RESOLVED, during the educational summit, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe agree to cooperate, share ideas and work together on making educational improvements to the following major issues affecting Indian education:

The crucial and urgent issue of Ojibwe language preservation; and Any and all issues affecting Indian education specific program improvements; and Mutually agreed upon educational grant partnering and grant endorsements from this new three-Tribe educational consortium; and Mutually beneficial advocacy efforts that will help the Tribes of this new consortium;

and since all of the Tribes of this new consortium also have tribal colleges to serve their respective tribal communities, the Tribal College Presidents will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all Members of this consortium, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal leaders and the three Tribal College Presidents will all sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the three Tribal Education Directors/Superintendents, if any, of the three respective K-12 Tribal school systems for Tribal Members, will also work together on all of these areas that can be of mutual benefit to all Members of this consortium, and also sign this historic Education Nation consortium agreement, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the three Tribes will together create a new charter of operations to establish a process for adding new members, voting, and also sign this new document.

ICE EXERCISE scheduled for Saturday June 8 on Lake Bemidji - FYI

            On Saturday, January 8, 2010, there will be a scheduled ICE RESPONSE EXERCISE on Lake Bemidji from 10 AM- I PM.

The Lakes Area Dive Team will be practicing ice rescue response.  We want the public to know this so that those driving by do not mistake it for an actual emergency.   The Dive Team routinely conducts these exercises for the benefit of their dedicated members.  There may be other emergency vehicles on scene if time permits. 

 

Mrs. Beryl Wernberg

911 Communications Supervisor/Emergency Management Director

Beltrami County Sheriffs Office

613 Minnesota Ave NW

Bemidji, MN 56601

218-333-8320 or fax 218-755-9322

Pager:  218-759-7560

beryl.wernberg@co.beltrami.mn.us

There is no path- follow your heart