Red Lake chairman says he isn't resigning, contradicting Tribal Council member's post

RED LAKE — Red Lake Nation Tribal Chairman Darrell Seki Sr. announced he is not resigning Friday, Oct. 16, about two hours after a Tribal Council member confirmed the resignation in a social media post.

"I wanted to come let you know that as of right now I have not submitted my retirement or stepped down as your duly elected Tribal Chairman," Seki's own social media post stated. "I answer to you, the people, and you will be the first to know if or when I have more information to share."

Little Rock District Rep. Thomas Barrett earlier Friday posted about the impending resignation of the chairman after shocking allegations came to light this week in Red Lake Nation’s child welfare program.

Barrett wrote in a social media post that Seki was asked to step down and agreed to do so, although he did not say who made the request.

"There are a lot of moving pieces right now, including legal and personnel matters that require confidentiality and careful consideration," Barrett wrote.

"Decisions and discussions are happening quickly, and I understand that our community wants immediate answers. However, I also have a responsibility to make sure the information I share is accurate."

The allegations of years-long failures to protect kids from harm prompted an FBI raid last month. This includes at least eight deaths, with two happening this July.

The allegations also led the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take over the Ombimindwaa Gidinawemaaganinaadog building in an emergency legal move.

The Red Lake Tribal Council told the Minnesota Star Tribune it is cooperating with the BIA and appealing the decision.

Barrett said he was not aware of the extent of the issues in the nation’s programs. But he said Tribal Council members must be accountable and should have been asking how these things were allowed to happen.

“This has exposed larger systemic issues within our government, including communication, oversight, and the responsibilities we have as elected representatives," he wrote. "These are things we need to acknowledge and address, not make excuses for."

KAXE reached out to Barrett late Friday but has not yet received a response.

Red Lake Nation spokesperson Holly Macarro would not confirm the resignation to KAXE earlier Friday, but shared Seki's later post following Barrett's announcement.

Macarro commented on Barrett’s post shortly after it was published, writing, “Out of respect for the Chairman, I recommend we let him make his own announcement, as one would if it were you.”

Seki was reelected in a runoff election in July. He has served as Red Lake chairman since 2014.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated at 7:32 p.m. Oct. 16, 2026, to reflect the most recent announcement from Red Lake Chairman Darrell Seki Sr., which contradicts an earlier confirmation by a representative of the Tribal Council.