Minnesota Native News

A tent encampment of homeless folks continues to grow in Minneapolis. There are about 300 people there, many of whom are Native. The camp shines a light on the crisis caused by the shortage of affordable housing, shelter beds, and culturally sensitive social and addictions services. Tribal and urban leaders are making plans to provide more sturdy shelter over the coming months. But what else is needed to support those living in these tents?

Six hundred people gathered at Mystic Lake Conference Center in Prior Lake for the Third Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition. Tribal leaders, nutrition practitioners, researchers, students, and many more gathered to learn, share, and visit with one another.

This week on Minnesota Native News, we hear from the Prairie Island Indian Community, which has joined other Minnesota Dakota tribes in a lawsuit against the opioid industry. It’s a historic fight that extends far beyond Minnesota

An organization based in Minneapolis is raising breast cancer awareness with “Indigenous Pink Day” … And, comedian Rob Fairbanks talks about the power of humor.

his week on Minnesota Native News, the latest on the tent camp in Minneapolis, an all-out effort to recruit more Native foster homes, and getting out the vote in Indian Country.

4 people have now died at the homeless encampment in Minneapolis. The site - also called the Wall of Forgotten Natives for the many Native residents there — was established by individuals and families without shelter. But it’s become the central focus of many urban Native agencies in the Twin Cities. On October 29th those agencies gathered the community together to talk about how to move forward. Reporter Melissa Townsend has the story.

We’ll hear from Minnesotans and their reactions to Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan’s historic election… And, a new play by a Navajo playwright makes its world premiere in the Twin Cities.

This week on Minnesota Native News: We hear about the Minnesota Historical Society’s decision to keep a historic native burial site in northern Minnesota closed to the general public, and how tribes are working together to protect the site. Here’s reporter Cole Premo.

Youth display their photography at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center in Duluth, And a language teacher finds his own way to reach language learners.

For nearly 10 months a tent city has been growing along a 6 lane stretch of road on the south side of Minneapolis. The encampment of homeless people has been dubbed the Wall of Forgotten Natives for the many Native people staying there. This week a new shelter is opening on a plot of land in Minneapolis owned by the Red Lake Nation. Reporter Melissa Townsend tells us what's next for the residents of the camp and the shelter.