"My ancestors are from the area of Minnesota called Koochiching, which means where the waters narrow. We have links to the Red Lake tribe and I have felt a personal sense of loss with the tragedy that has taken place there.

On Monday, 16-year-old Jeff Weise went on a rampage, killing nine people before turning a gun on himself. It is a tragedy without apparent cause.

You see no signs of evil in the baby-faced photograph of Weise. Furthermore, the victims of his rage where his own: his neighbours, his grandparents, his kin.

So why would a disenfranchised aboriginal youth turn to hate groups, specifically neo-Nazis, to quell the anger in his belly? We need answers, a cure, therapy or treatment.

Reading Weise's posting to a neo-Nazi website, I was disheartened to find a discussion with him that included comments against adoption of 'rap culture' and 'blood mixing' on the Red Lake reserve.

The discussion forum was entitled 'Native American Nationalists.' I wonder if native American pride could actually be 'twisted' to racial supremacy."

Get the Story:
Sara Mainville: Tragedy raises questions (The Toronto Star 3/24)

Relevant Links:
Red Lake Net News - http://www.rlnn.com
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org
Red Lake High School - http://www.paulbunyan.net/rlschools/hs.htm

Related Stories:
Indian Country sends support to community in shock (3/23)
Details emerge on tragedy at Red Lake Reservation (3/23)
Tribal Member: My resrvation will never be the same (3/23)
Opinion: Above all, this is a tribal nation tragedy (3/23)
Editorial: Tragedy at Red Lake unites all in grief (3/23)
Editorial: Solidarity with the people of Red Lake (3/23)
Column: Sacred pipe ceremony begins the healing (3/23)
Column: Media gets crash course in sovereignty (3/23)
Shooting at Red Lake Reservation leaves 10 dead (3/22)