Political tensions have sometimes erupted into violence . In 1979 , during a struggle over leadership , men with rifles attacked the tribal police station , and two teenagers were killed . One shot himself accidentally and the other was accidentally shot while struggling with a companion over control of a weapon . Men burned several buildings , including the home of the tribal chairman . The tribe and reservation was the first in the United States to issue its own vehicle license plates as a measure of its sovereign status . It is struggling to find ways to develop its economy . It is collaborating in the 21st century with the White Earth and Leech Lake bands to reach out to the business and academic communities to promote job development . ( See " Economy " below . ) The Red Lake shootings occurred on March 21 , 2005 in two locations on the reservation
Red Lake shootings
Red Lake shootings
Red Lake Indian Reservation