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“Prior to the discussion on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Zach Stephenson, who authored the bill, shared a video with lawmakers where he points out that tribal governments see these games as too closely resembling slot machines, which goes against the law written in 2012. At that time, agreements between the state, tribal governments and charities stated that electronic gaming would be basically an upgrade from paper pull tabs. Now, Stephenson and a majority of other house members agreed this afternoon that the state needs to stick to that initial agreement.”

“The coronavirus pandemic brought powwow season largely to a screeching halt last year. Some powwows canceled their annual events; others went online only. Some held virtual competitions and cultural events from afar but left most of the food and art vendors and daily workers sitting on the sidelines. And powwow season this year will not return to normal either, even with vaccines rolling out and restrictions being lifted in some states.”

“The presentation covered topics such as treaties, the justice system in Cook County, sovereignty and a number of other related items. During the course of the presentation, Hicken asked the commissioners, among other questions: ‘What should our goals be, as a local government who represents constituents living on the reservation, descendants of the original inhabitants of this land, and which partner with the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Chippewa?’”

“Built so that representatives from area tribal nations — not foundation staff — decide who is awarded money, Maada’ookiing translates to ‘distribution’ in Ojibwe. Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded three times a year to individuals or informal groups starting May 1.”

“Later this week the Leech Lake Tribal College will host Indigenous educators from around the country during a virtual conference on the unique challenges and barriers to online learning at tribal colleges and other minority-serving educational institutions.”

“At the Ojibwe Immersion House, there is a no English-speaking rule which students need to follow while living in the house. But because most Dakota language students are enrolled at the beginner or intermediate level, the Dakota Language House is not an immersion house yet.”

“The school project, titled, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, or ‘the place where it grows,’ has a mission of preparing each student for college with an enhanced knowledge of the Ojibwe language, culture, leadership and environmental stewardship.”

“Tribally-based public health responses include a creative reimagining of how we utilize existing resources, something Tribal Sovereignty enables at local levels. For instance, early in the pandemic, Department of Natural Resources workforce members at the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe gathered and delivered traditional medicines to elders, who were sheltering in place in their homes. In a more sweeping move, the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota issued Medical Martial Law to protect the health and safety of tribal citizens throughout the pandemic.”

“‘The Fond du Lac Reservation is eager to partner with Carlton County on this COVID-19 vaccination clinic event,’ says Fond du Lac Human Services Associate Director, Nate Sandman. ‘Having the opportunity to vaccinate our neighbors will increase the overall health and well-being of our community.’”