Minnesota Native News

The returned land, a stretch of beach along Lake Superior’s North Shore outside Grand Marais, MN, was once part of a larger native settlement known as Chippewa City. The historic occasion was celebrated with a ceremony at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. John Morrin, a Grand Portage Tribal Elder, was one of the keynote speakers. 

This is Minnesota Native News. I’m Marie Rock.

For over two months, advocates for Leonard Peltier walked in prayer from Minneapolis to D.C. to raise awareness about his unjust imprisonment. This week reporter Feven Gerezgiher speaks with the walk lead and Peltier’s lawyer to hear how the walk went…and the outlook on Peltier’s release.

Senator Tina Smith was one of seven lawmakers that recently signed on to a letter calling on President Biden to release Native American activist Leonard Peltier. Peltier has been incarcerated since 1977 following a trial legal experts say had a “shocking level of misconduct and constitutional violations.”

Past presidents declined clemency for the now 78-year-old…but some see a changing tide.

We really feel and hope and believe that Leonard Peltier is going to be released before the end of the Biden administration

That was Rachel Thunder, Plain Cree and a director in the American Indian Movement. She led a 2.5-month trek from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness around Peltier’s deteriorating health and continued imprisonment.

The walk started with about 20 people. By the last mile, there were several hundred, according to Thunder.

I think it's gonna take a minute for it to set in. Because it was such a huge undertaking. (And like so many different things happened. And there were so many good days and there were challenges, you know, just looking back, but I wouldn't change anything.)

…It was really beautiful, really to see so many people come from all over Turtle Island, all from all over the States and Canada and even internationally. 

An ending rally at the Lincoln Memorial featured speeches from various Native leaders and notably, one of the U.S. attorneys that put Peltier behind bars.

Over the following few days, advocates met with U.S. lawmakers. 

Peltier’s attorney Kevin Sharp said they had a receptive audience.

A lot of the folks that we met with, were not born yet….I did not leave any meeting regardless of who I was talking to were at some point their mouths weren't open going, Oh, my God, I did not know this. And, you know, there's a there's a narrative if they didn't know it, it might only know the FBI version. And there is a version that the FBI has been touting for decades, that is nowhere close to the truth.

The former federal judge has been pushing for clemency since taking on Peltier’s case pro bono about four years ago. Sharp said the general public is waking up to things Native American communities have known for generations. He noted awareness of boarding school history, treaty violations, (and) police violence..

And then you put on top of that a president who, unlike any president before, understands the importance of Native Americans, their issues and to get, you know, the crass political side of it, their voting power. Right now, it's the Electoral College with with states as close as they are with winning and losing a state turning on 20-25-30,000 votes. All of a sudden thatNative American vote wins and loses the White House, right?

Sharp explained Peltier’s clemency petition is one of tens of thousands still under review with the Department of Justice. AIM plans to continue meeting with members of Congress, hoping that the political pressure gets Peltier’s file to the White House.

President Biden will have had the last chance to save this man's life. .. we just need to get Leonard home and, you know, give him at last opportunity to see his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, and his own children who, you know, he's he's missed 47 years, he hasn't been able to see them grow up.

Sharp encourages supporters to call or email the White House with the message that it’s time to free Leonard Peltier.

For Minnesota Native News, I’m Feven Gerezgiher.

The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) hosted a Covid19 Vaccine clinic where some families reevaluate their motives on whether or not it is important to get the vaccine, Isabel Lopez has more. 

The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of ICWA or the Indian Child Welfare Act in early November. Reporter Emma Needham sheds light on this case and its implications as Indian country awaits a decision.

44 years after its enactment in 1978, oral arguments on the Indian Child Welfare Act in Brackeen V. Haaland, were heard at the US Supreme Court on November 9th, 2022.

The Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted in response to the long history and high numbers of native children that were being removed from their families by both public and private agencies and placed into non-Indian families, often for adoption. 

Laura Newton is the Family Services Program Director at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. She’s been working in the field of Indian Child Welfare for 20 years. She explains why ICWA is important to all children, not just native children. 

"ICWA really is the gold standard, as far as looking at what is in the best interest of children...that is really what the law is about; protecting the children and making sure that they're able to stay amongst their family and the tribe and maintain cultural connections. I think that those things are equally as important in other communities and cultures," Newton said.

ICWA created minimum standards for removing Native American children from their families and established a preference so that when Native American children are taken from their homes, they are placed with extended family members or with other Native families, even if the families are not relatives. Opponents argue that ICWA exceeds Congress’ power over Native peoples, violates states’ rights, and imposes unconstitutional race-based classifications. 

"The big piece of this is, from the tribe standpoint, is that it isn't a race-based law, it is specifically put in place to protect the tribe and the tribes' children and to ensure that…they have a future to continue, and that is based on tribal sovereignty and more of a political status and not a not a race status," said Newton.

Seven individual plaintiffs are challenging ICWA, including three non-Native couples who tried to adopt children with Native American ancestry. 

One of those couples is from Minnesota. In their case, the grandmother of the child they had in their care and intended to adopt had been advocating for ICWA procedures to be followed since the child was removed from the care of her parents. A Minnesota court ruled that the child be placed with her grandmother. Laura Newton says if ICWA is followed, those types of cases are unlikely.  

“When the law isn't followed, that's when some of those placements end up happening. And then it becomes difficult because you've got two different family members basically fighting over a child. But I think by and large, those things wouldn't happen if the law was followed in the first place. And children were placed, not in a shelter foster home with a non-Native family, but placed with a relative, like they're supposed to be under by law," said Newton.

Another concern is that if the Supreme Court strikes down ICWA it will a set legal precedence for other laws intended to benefit Native Americans to be overturned. That could affect health care, environmental rights, and even the religious liberties of indigenous tribes throughout the nation. 

 "These cases are really attacking that piece, which is tribal sovereignty. If that is to be changed, or limited or goes away...for some individuals or corporations that would be beneficial because it would allow those people to have access to tribal resources that they don't have right now," said Newton.

Despite the advances achieved since 1978, ICWA’s protections are still needed. According to National Indian Child Welfare Association, Native families are four times more likely to have their children removed and placed in foster care than their White counterparts. 

Some states have state-level protections for native children. Here in Minnesota, the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA) strengthens and expands the Indian Child Welfare Act. Laura Newton says she sees how important ICWA is in her role at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. 

"The children that are in placements that are not with Native American families, just by and large, they are the ones that are coming to all of us asking for information on their culture, wanting to reconnect, feeling kind of lost...adoptive parents are really having a hard time with them, because they are missing part of their identity...I've never seen a native child not search out that cultural connection, I just think that's so important. And that's why it was needed," said Newton.

This is a developing case. At this time, there is no known time frame for when the Supreme Court will make a decision on ICWA. 

For more information on ICWA, and the supreme court case, please visit the National Indian Child Welfare Association online at NICWA.org. 

Emma Needham reporting for Minnesota Native News

A new round of free at home covid tests are available through the state of Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz and Lt Governor Peggy Flanagan say the new round of tests are available ahead of the holiday season, so Minnesotans can test ahead of gatherings and avoid spreading COVID to their loved ones.

Health officials are continuing to remind Minnesotans that the best way to protect themselves and their community against covid 19 is to get the updated booster after receiving their primary doses of the vaccine. The latest vaccine, known as the bivalent booster, is available for people 5 years of age and older.

This new booster helps protect against the covid variants currently circulating, the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. According to a CDC estimate, this accounts for about 60 percent of reported COVID cases in the US during the last week of October.  Laz Carreon is a registered nurse and COVID Project Manager for the Indian Health Board in Minneapolis. He says that the bivalent booster is going to offer you the best protection against covid variants circulating right now

“This is what’s going to be offering that extra heightened level of protection against what is currently circulating,” said Carreon.  “We all need to do our part to make sure that we’re not continuing to spread this, and especially to our vulnerable, vulnerable population, our family, our friends, our loved ones, that’s we want to protect.”

Native community members can check with their local IHS clinic, the Native American Community Clinic, The Indian Health Board, the Division of Indian work, and the American Indian Community Housing Organization to find out how to schedule an appointment or visit a vaccination event. All Minnesotans can check with their regular healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or visit a state-run vaccination site.

The bivalent booster was also recently approved for children 5-12 years of age. The Minnesota Department of Health says parents should get their children boosted at least two months after they’ve completed their primary series of the COVID vaccine. MDH is also encouraging parents with children that have not completed their primary series to schedule their next dose so they can become eligible for the bivalent booster. The primary series is important to build up the base protection against the virus. 

So far this month –Division of Indian Work is hosting a vaccine clinic at Humboldt High School in St Paul on November 11th from 5 to 8pm – and November 17th at Little Earth in Minneapolis from 4 to 7pm.

In related news…

Virus levels in the Twin Cities wastewater suggest a fall time surge is on the way. According to the University of Minnesota’s Genomics Center, who measures covid virus levels in wastewater, the amount increased by about 20 percent from October 17th to October 24th. They noted that much of the increase was due to a spike in levels on Monday, October 24.  The Genomics Center says that virus levels in wastewater can serve as an early warning that the virus is spreading in the community. Dr. Kenneth Beckman, executive director of the Genomics Center explains:

“The benefit of having information waster water is that it serves as a canary in coal mine, in a fashion. It allows you to see an outbreak before people have shown up at a doctor’s office or the ER,” said Beckman.

As cold weather approaches ….our indoor close contact with others increases making it easier for viruses to circulate. MDH still recommends wearing a mask in indoor public places and testing when you have covid symptoms. They also say it’s a good idea to test before and attending large gatherings, and stay home if you feel sick.

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In other news, national Native American Heritage Month began on November 1st and the St. Paul-based artist Marlena Myles’ artwork was featured on the google homepage as the Google “Doodle” – Marlena, who is a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee tribe, illustrated the google letters with images of The Creators’ game and shared some history and her inspiration with Google:

This week on Minnesota Native News, Emma Needham talks with new and returning Native Candidates from Mid Term races across the state. 

In the 2020 election, native voters came out to the polls nationwide at rates never seen before. According to the Associated Press, Native voters swung the elections in both Arizona and next door in Wisconsin. Now, the 2022 Midterm elections are in just under 2 weeks, and it’s apparent that this time, Native people have turned out to the polls in a different way: On the ballot. 

ICT, formerly Indian Country Today, tracks the number of native candidates running for offices at the state level. Right now, Oklahoma has the most, with a stunning 18 candidates for house or senate seats and one in the governor’s race. Montana comes in second in the nation with 12 Native candidates, while Hawaii and Alaska both boast 10. Here in Minnesota, there are 7 candidates for house or senate seats in six districts, plus the incumbent lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan. Of those 8 Candidates in Minnesota, seven different Native Nations are represented. 

Alicia Kozlowski is running for State Representative in MN House District 8B in Duluth. Kozlowski is Ojibwe from Grand Portage and Fond Du Lac and is also a third-generation Mexican American. They said that their decision to run for office came not only from values in their upbringing among strong Ojibwe and Mexican women, but also from a sense of deep responsibility to their community. 

“When I was making the decision to run or not it, it actually was in response to my community members, both within the tribal nations. But here in Duluth, across neighborhoods, across race, and gender and age, and ability of people saying 'please run for office.' Like, we need you to meet this moment so that we can all meet this movement,” said Alicia.

Alicia Kozlowski is a unique candidate to northern Minnesota. They said that they are running for office to amplify Minnesota voices. 

“We have never had anybody like me represent this district, as a Native, as a Latino, as a non-binary, as a member of the LGBTQ community, but then even more, so to be able to bring that to the capitol where we haven't had non-binary representation.” They said, “I'm running for office, not just for myself. In fact, I'm a very reluctant candidate to run for office, I'm running because I want to what I say is CO govern with our people…

I'm not here to be anybody's voice or anybody's power, because you already have a voice and you have power. I'm here to help create that space and to amplify and to uplift all of our people.”
 

In Minnesota, we have Native candidates running for office at the state level, but we also have Native candidates in local races, including the city council race in Bemidji and candidates for school board both in Minneapolis and in Brainerd.

Charles Black Lance is White Earth Anishinaabe and Lakota from Rosebud Nation. He’s currently the vice chair of the Brainerd School Board for ISD 181 where he’s running for another four-year term. Black Lance says that the teachings he received from his father helped guide him in his position. 

“My dad always told me, my brother and my sister are very young age was that leadership wasn't necessarily something that you aspire for, but more of a burden or something that is, was placed upon you as a responsibility. And, and I took that to heart,” He said, “fought hard and worked hard and diligently to not have power. but to have or wield influence, to be heard, and to have that voice. And I think it's really important for all indigenous people to move in that direction.”

In addition to Peggy Flanagan, other Native candidates in the Minnesota race are running for reelection in the house and senate. Senator Mary Kunesh served two, two-year terms in the MN House and one two-year term in the Senate. Senator Kunesh is now up for re-election for a four-year term in Senate District 39 following redistricting. She told me why she ran for office all those years ago. 

"I knew that if we wanted to make good change in Indian country in Minnesota, we needed natives there to move the ball to start talking about the issue to start, you know, really championing the issues.” said Mary

Senator Kunesh is the first woman of native descent elected into the Minnesota Senate and currently the only Native person serving there. She says that there’s much work to be done to build diversity in the Minnesota legislature, but she is glad to see more Indigenous candidates running for office. 

“We just don't have that kind of diversity in our state Senate. And that means we are not representing the growing diversity of our communities. We do want to see legislators that look like us, that sound like us, that understand the unique circumstances. And I'm really thrilled by the number of candidates and the caliber of these candidates, because it can only bode well for Minnesota when they are elected,” she said.

For Minnesota Native News, I’m Emma Needham

This week on the Health Report, we’ll hear from Kelly Miller, the executive director of the Division of Indian work in St. Paul about they work they do as a Covid-19 Community Coordinator

But first. Children ages 5 to 11 years old can now get the updated COVID-19 booster shot, known as the bi-valent vaccine, meaning that it draws immunity from the currently circulating variants in addition to the original COVID strain. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says parents should get their children boosted at least two months after they’ve completed their primary series of the COVID vaccine. This new booster helps protect against the covid variants currently circulating, the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Which, according to the CDC, accounted for about 82 percent of reported COVID cases in the US during the second week of October. 

MDH is also encouraging parents with children that have not completed their primary series to schedule their next dose so they can become eligible for the bivalent booster. The primary series is important to build up the base protection against the virus. 

Booster approval for the younger age group now means that the bivalent booster is available for people 5 years of age and older. Native community members can check with their local IHS clinic, the Native American Community Clinic, The Indian Health Board, the Division of Indian work, and the American Indian Community Housing Organization to find out how to schedule an appointment or visit a vaccination event. All Minnesotans can check with their regular healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or visit a state-run vaccination site. Those sites include Moorhead, Rochester, Mall of America, and St Paul Midway.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your community. For more information about the booster and where to find one visit our website Minnesota native news dot org slash health

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It’s been two and half years since the pandemic began and through that time, Kelly Miller and the Division of Indian Work have been working tirelessly to continue meeting community needs and to help community members navigate the pandemic as a Covid-19 Community Coordinator. In a recent interview on our program Covid-19 Community Conversations, Kelly explained what DIW’s work has been like through the pandemic.
 
 “Our primary focus is usually our food shelf, youth programs, and more crisis-based services; providing those most basic needs. When COVID first happened it was a huge need for food. Our families didn’t have the two-week fund to stock up on two weeks of food, because there were so many unknowns. So our first response was making sure our families had the items they need to stay home. Then we were asked to open a COVID resource hotline, and it kind of just fit in with the work we’re doing to provide this information. ,” Kelly said.
 
 As Covid Community coordinators, DIW ran a hotline for community members to call in and get connected to resources. They answered calls from across the state and even nationally. DIW also began new collaborations with other community organizations to help give vaccines and other resources. Kelly says that those collaborations are one of the positive things to come about because of the pandemic. 

“The strength we have as a community, I think, to make sure we take care of each other. So, when we heard a family is sick and then they have to quarantine; okay well what can we do to help them? Can we bring food? Can we bring them medicines? Can we bring cleaning supplies, or give them masks? Can we be there for them to help them make sure what they need for school, or just to keep the kids busy?” Kelly said. 

Kelly says that as we continue through the pandemic that it’s important to continue to take precautions and to reach out if you need of help.

 “First I’m going to encourage families to continue their precautions on vaccines, hand washing, masks and stay home if you’re sick. Also, to lean on one another; have your support group and lean on them when you need it,” she said.

October 10th marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Minnesota and in cities and states across the United States. The day included official celebrations and community gatherings, including in Grand Rapids where a new sculpture was unveiled at River Side Park by Leech Lake Ojibwe artist Duane Goodwin.  MN Native News reporter Leah Lemm was on the scene for the celebration.

A clear day welcomed the crowd of attendees gathered near the Mississippi River and Highway 169 in Grand Rapids. The community celebration was a joint effort; The city of Grand Rapids Human Rights and Arts and Culture Commissions teamed up with ISD 317’s Anishinaabe gikinoo’amaadiiwigamigong and ISD 318’s Anishinaabe gikinoo’amaadiiwin student programs.

The festivities included food, student artwork, and the unveiling and blessing of Oganawedan Nibi or “She is Blessing Spirits in the Water “ – the sculpture is by artist Duane Goodwin and supported by the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission.

Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan proclaimed the day an official state holiday, a similar proclamation was adopted by the city of Grand Rapids in 2014. The declaration was read aloud by council member Tasha Connely

“…The city of Grand Rapids recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October as a day to reflect on our history and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that our Anishinabe, Chippewa, Ojibwe, the Dakota Sioux, and other Indigenous nations add to our city. Let it further be resolved that the city of Grand Rapids shall continue its efforts to promote the well-being, and growth of the native American and Indigenous communities and be it further resolved that the city of Grand Rapids encourages other businesses, organizations, and public entities to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” said Connely, “This was adopted on the 15th day of December 2014.”

L: Since 2014, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, St. Paul and other Minnesota cities have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The holiday began as a counter-celebration against the federal holiday that shares the same day.

In Grand Rapids, the new stone sculpture is the likeness of a woman, with arms outstretched into a cradle allowing water to gather in her arms. She looks over the Mississippi River on a pedestal engraved with fish. The sculpture is named Oganawedan Nibi – a gift from Duane to the city of grand rapids, a blessing for the spirits of/in the water, and a symbol of the resiliency of the Anishinaabe people.

“She’s blessing water spirits, spirits in the water. The fish represents the life that flows through this river, and the sculpture shall live in symbol of the strength of the Anishinabe people.” said Duane, “It was a blessing to work so close to the river this summer. Every day it was a beautiful spot to work”

Other events included the Owamni Falling Waters Festiva, on Saturday, at Owamni along The Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis where Indigenous artists, organizations and community gathered to celebrate. Performances included The Sampson Brothers, Cory Medina, Pretendians and the Sprit Boy Singers.

In Duluth, a celebration was held by the Duluth Indigenous Commission with the theme “why it’s great to be Indigenous,”

The Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland was also in Minnesota over the weekend, and met with Lt. Gov. Flanagan and others.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Governor Peggy Flanagan, who is White Earth Ojibwe, wrote on Facebook “Today, and every day, we honor our ancestors by being our full, beautiful, and powerful Indigenous selves. We are resilient, we are still here, and we will always be here in Mni Sota Makoce.”

As we enter another season of COVID 19, health care providers are bracing for another possible fall surge in COVID 19 cases. Similar to the Flu Season, COVID and its variants seem to show up each fall. IHB's Laz Carreon explains more about the similarities between the COVID and Flu vaccines.