News

“The dictionary app Dakhóta Iápi Wičhóie Wówapi has over 28,000 words, with more to come in later updates and editions. It’s a ‘talking dictionary’ with nearly 40,000 audio files to listen to women and men speak Dakota terms. It also includes conjugations and verb changes from first-person to second-person to first-person plural…‘We’re using modern technology to save our ancient languages. And it’s using the best of both to preserve our ancient knowledge.’”

“‘By adding the sale of alcohol to our Casino floor, River Road Cafe, as well as our meeting room areas to our already amazing Thief River Falls Casino, is just the next step toward making our property the premier entertainment destination in Northern Minnesota.’”

“We need to remember the traditional teachings of Native Americans and use them as a starting point rather than trying to fit them into the curriculum wherever it seems convenient.”

“Walz met with tribal leaders and staff during an hour-long visit, where direct funding for Tribal Nations was discussed at length.”

“SF 677 is a result of recommendations from the Tribal MIFPA working group with input from Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators, and more. The bill would incorporate all federal ICWA provisions into Minnesota law to avoid an overwhelming amount of litigation in Child Welfare and Family law if ICWA is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, as it may be by the case Haaland v. Brackeen.”

“Shelley Buck, a former tribal leader of the Prairie Island Indian Community, will replace Andrew as president. The group’s board of directors is now majority Native-led. Buck said most Minnesotans aren’t taught about the history of the state pre-European contact. ‘The fact that Friends of the Falls made that huge change over to wanting to tell that story is just enormous’…Buck said there needs to be more discussion and gathering input from the Dakota tribes before any decisions are made about ownership of the site.”

“She’s been advocating to improve health care in Native American communities which include community-minded patient relations, building relationships with other tribal health groups and in-person patient advocacy.”

“Cris Stainbrook is the president of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation — he talked with host Cathy Wurzer about the new initiative.”

“The ballroom at Fortune Bay Resort Casino on Thursday, Jan. 19 was packed with Bois Forte Band members attending the annual State of the Band festivities, a most welcome change from the past two years when COVID-19 prevented the gathering. And no one was happier to be back together in person than Tribal Chairwoman Cathy Chavers. ‘The turnout tonight is just overwhelming and tremendous, because we haven’t done this for two years.’”

“Tribal heritage officers from the Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux communities and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe worked with Sherburne County and the Trust for Public Land to protect more than 400 acres on Big Elk Lake.”