Minnesota tribe fights resort over liquor license

BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) – The Beltrami County Board must decide whether to grant a liquor license to a resort located near an American Indian reservation where it is illegal to sell or possess alcohol.

County commissioners will vote next week on whether to allow liquor sales at Roger’s Resort, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Owner Chris Freudenberg was on track to receive his license until Red Lake Band of Ojibwe representatives showed up at a public hearing last week to lobby against the request.

Tribal Council member Gary Nelson asked commissioners to set up a buffer zone around the Red Lake Indian Reservation in which no liquor licenses can be granted. The Red Lake Band of Ojibwe opposes the sale of alcohol because its members have a history of alcoholism, said Floyd Jourdain, former chairman of the band.

Two years ago, the tribal council passed a resolution opposing the establishment of liquor stores near the reservation. The council was exasperated by the number of liquor vendors just outside of the reservation that sold to tribal members.

“Alcohol is the number one killer of Indians,” Jourdain said. “And it continues to be the number one killer here in Red Lake.”

Roger’s Resort is six miles from the border of the Red Lake Reservation.

Freudenberg, who already sells 3.2 percent beer at the resort, said he only wants a liquor license so that his insurance premiums will go down. He is partially liable for any drunken driving incidents that occur when his guests opt to drive to the nearest liquor.

“Even if I don’t sell any liquor,” he said, “it’ll be worth it for the insurance savings.”

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Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org