News

“With this grant funding, Three Rivers Park District will develop an interpretive trail highlighting Dakota perspectives on various natural resources found in Carver Park Reserve.”

“Work begins on a tribe-owned high-speed fiber network that will connect to hundreds of homes and businesses across the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe tribal lands, including more than 350 households and seven businesses that currently have no internet access…‘We’re isolated — in a communications desert,’ said Melanie Benjamin, chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.”

“Sixteen organizations are seeking $136.4 million in state funding to construct buildings they say will allow them to do their work more effectively.”

“‘If it becomes routine, or worse yet, is strictly performative, then it has no meaning at all.’”

“The bill does not detail how the grants would be divided among the tribal colleges in Minnesota. But, the bill does name Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Tribal Colleges as expected grant destinations. There is no mention of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, in Cloquet, Minnesota.”

“The tribal leaders touched on issues related to criminal justice, education, the environment and gambling. With expanded gambling again on the Legislature’s agenda, they implored lawmakers to maintain tribal exclusivity around gambling granted to them in perpetual compacts negotiated and signed a few decades ago. Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Vice Chair Cole Miller said it’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed now. ‘It is one of the priorities to respectfully request — or insist — that the state of Minnesota enact no law or policy that diminishes or hurts any tribe’s gaming enterprises.’”

“Speaking at the address were…Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, both Democrats from Minnesota who serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry…and Cole Miller, vice-chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and co-chair of the Native Farm Bill Coalition.”
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“A celebration of life for Miller will be held at All Nations Indian Church in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 11.”

“Many spectators and House members themselves wore orange clothing to Thursday’s floor session, as orange has come to symbolize raising awareness of the legacy of Native American boarding schools.”

“Advocates are working to transform the heart of Minneapolis’ Central Riverfront into a destination honoring Indigenous history.”