Indian leaders at the Red Lake Reservation led a boycott against Bemidji businesses because of what they consider an inflammatory radio broadcast about welfare programs. Jourdain said the Tribal Council voted after a broadcast by Robert Kohl at KBUN of what they considered derogatory remarks. The Red Lake boycott of Bemidji ended Nov. 4th at a joint meeting of the Red Lake Tribal Council, the Bemidji City Council, and the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners at the Red Lake Council Hall. The three groups jointly adopted a resolution to establish a permanent Community Relations Commission, whose aim will be to promote equal opportunity, job opportunities and improve human relations. Included in the proceedings were Walter Fenske, chairman of the county board of commissioners; Roger Jourdain, chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and Howard Menge, Mayor of the City of Bemidji. (Bemidji Daily Pioneer, Nov. 7, 1966)
Exploring the Rich History of the Bemidji Area