Tribe to look at former state hospital site here

Representatives of the White Earth Indian tribe will tour the former Brainerd Regional Human Services Center Friday as that tribe considers establishing health care services in Brainerd.

Ron Valiant, tribe executive director, said Wednesday that if the tribe were to make any acquisition at the site it would initially be one or two buildings at a time.

"I keep stressing, it is so preliminary," Valiant said. "This is kind of a long shot."

He wouldn't speculate how many people might be employed if the tribe were to establish programs in Brainerd.

"I'd just be pulling a number out of the air," he said.

Friday's tour with Valiant, as well as the tribe's construction manager and director of health, is expected to be followed by a feasibility study and negotiations with the state of Minnesota.

Valiant said the possibility of establishing a chemical dependency and mental health program might be feasible for the tribe because it can tap into federal funds that are available.

Rep. John Ward, who has been working with the tribe and the state, said the venture could potentially employ between 200 to 300 people.

Valiant compared the possible expansion to Brainerd to the tribe's acquisition of a chemical dependency program in Bemidji that had been operated by the Episcopal church. The tribe has run that program for about a year.

If programs were established in Brainerd, Valiant said, they would be "culturally relevant" and primarily serve Indians but would be open to non-Indians.

Brainerd's central location would make it more convenient for the estimated 12,000 tribal members who live in the Twin Cities.

Valiant said some of the buildings are very old while others are in good condition. He described the campus boiler system as antiquated.

MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.