White Earth Band of Ojibwe Chairwoman Erma Vizenor told her audience for Friday's State of the Band address that the band has taken the first step toward acquiring the Gilfillan Center in Bemidji.
If White Earth buys it, Vizenor said it would serve as a culturally appropriate treatment facility for American Indian youth.
She said 47 percent of the youth in Minnesota's juvenile correctional system are Indian youth, a disproportionately high number since natives serve as only 2 percent of the population in the state.
Gary Padrta, White Earth public relations officer, said Vizenor and White Earth Executive Director Ron Valiant were in St. Paul testifying before legislative committees seeking funding support for the purchase.
Episcopal Community Services owns the property on 15th Street Northwest. It consists of 40 acres and 12 buildings, including a school. ECS closed the facility May 17 because of cuts in funding for youth residential services by state and federal entities. Gilfillan had operated for 44 years in Bemidji before closing because it was no longer financially sustainable, said ECS Executive Director Frank Vardeman.
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Tom Junnila, a Minneapolis licensed real estate broker retained by ECS to secure a buyer for Gilfillan, acknowledged that White Earth, among other entities, has expressed interest in the property.
"Their intent is to continue the previous use of that facility," he said.
However, nothing has been settled at this time, Junnila said.
"At this time, ECS is not prepared to make a comment because there is no fully signed agreement or executed transaction," he said in a telephone interview.
He said the asking price is $6 million. In addition to residences and administrative buildings, the campus features a pond, swimming pool and playground.
Junnila has served on the Gilfillan Center Advisory Board and on the ECS Board of Directors. He said he is aware of the value of the property and services to the economy of the Bemidji area.
"I'm very interested in making sure the property goes to a buyer that will use the property as intended," Junnila said.
ECS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization. Strong said it serves as an outreach mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, although it is not a religious program. The Gilfillan Center has treated boys and girls ages 11-18.
