'Unlimited possibilities'

White Earth Tribal Council Executive Director Ron Valiant's phone has been ringing since news of the tribe's interest in possibly acquiring buildings at the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center surfaced last week. He said he's received calls from other tribes, development officials and Central Lakes College administrators.

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Representatives of the White Earth Indian Reservation and state officials toured the Brainerd Regional Human Services Treatment Center campus Friday in Brainerd. Walking into Building No. 4 were Alan Van Buskirk, manager, State Operated Services (left); Roy LaVoy, tribe engineer; Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd; Ron Valiant, tribe executive director; Monte Fox, tribe health director; and Bill Haas, a lobbyist for the tribe. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

He indicated his message to them has been that the tribe's interest in establishing chemical dependency and mental health programs at the vacant buildings is still preliminary and considerable work has to be accomplished before a decision is made.

"Give me a little time," he said.

Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, said the area's high unemployment has resulted in a high level of interest in the possibility of any new jobs and that's why Valiant has received so many calls.

"It's hope that you keep hearing right now," Ward said.

Alan Van Buskirk, facilities director for State Operated Services, led Valiant, Ward and three tribe officials on a tour Friday at the 127-acre campus.

Valiant said before the White Earth Tribal Council makes any decision a feasibility study looking at the need for programs and the condition of the buildings would have to be conducted. That process, he said, could take a year even though Brainerd area officials might be eager to see quick action.

"They'd like to see us take over next year," he said, referring to the Brainerd area community.

The tribe, Valiant said, would ask the Department of Human Services for money to conduct the feasibility study. Valiant said he thought a study would cost between $50,000 and $75,000 while Van Buskirk estimated it could be done for less than $50,000.

Ward said last week he had heard of the possibility of 200 to 300 employees potentially working there. Valiant said last week he had no idea how many jobs might be established if White Earth programs were established in Brainerd. Valiant said the tribe's programs would be culturally relevant and primarily serve Indians but would be open to non-Indians.

He said the tribe most likely would start to assess the possibility of acquiring one or two buildings, before deciding whether it would acquire more.

Van Buskirk said he would hate to see the campus buildings destroyed and that the DHS was willing to work with the tribe.

"There's unlimited possibilities to benefit the tribe, the community and the state," he said.

Van Buskirk said the state had about 700,000 square feet with Crow County using about 40,000 square feet for a detoxification center. He said the state programs on the campus include Four Winds, a chemical dependency program with 16 clients; an adolescent chemical dependency program with eight clients; and Minnesota Neurological Services with 16 patients with traumatic brain injuries. Also, MinnesotaCare has 95 employees processing applications at the BRHSC site.

"I'm very interested in trying to save this campus," Van Buskirk said.

The BRHSC had a good-sized population of developmentally disabled individuals before laws were enacted that called for the placement of those individuals in community-based group homes. The larger population, during its days as a state hospital, was supported by an institutional-size kitchen and laundry and a two-lane bowling alley, all of which are still at the site.

Valiant told state officials he wanted to work with the city and county before developing any programs, noting that he didn't want to step on any toes.

"It's just so vast ... so much could be done," Valiant said.

A DHS map showed 14 buildings at the 127-acre campus. Three were utilized buildings. Two were partially utilized buildings. Eight were vacant and one was used by Crow Wing County for a detoxification center.

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