The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s $5 million dollar campaign to indigenize K12 curriculum has ended with some major accomplishments. Three Native educators explain their contributions. 

This week’s headlines include The Return of the Cloquet Forestry Center Lands, a newly available Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relative’s license plate, and the showing of Bear Grease, an Indigenous spin on the classic musical, Grease. 

For nearly a decade, the Minneapolis Native community has gathered in the East Phillips neighborhood to keep the missing or murdered Indigenous relatives in the collective consciousness. All too often, Native people are simply not given the same attention as their white counterparts. This Day of Action is a wake-up call to for the public to learn how drastic of an issue this is for the Native community. The demonstration gathers powerful speakers, community healing practices, and offers community-based information that may provide resources to families who have experienced the loss of a cherished loved one. 

This week's Minnesota Native News Headlines include an update from Camp Nenookasi and the transfer of the Upper Sioux Agency Park, and updates in tribal leadership across the state. 

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, was recently amended, and the new rules became effective this year. Photo: NAGPRA Logo

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community are reintroducing themselves to the Buffalo nation, welcoming them back to their Dakota homelands here in Minnesota. Reintroduction of buffalo enhances the prairies on tribal lands in Minnesota by promoting biodiversity. Photo Credit SMSC.

All My Relations Art Gallery in Minneapolis was the site of a brand-new Indigenous winter arts market.  (Image Description: My Relations Art Gallery entrance with a sign inviting shoppers to the Winter Artisan Fair. Photo by Chandra Colvin)

This week on Minnesota Native News, we revisit a story from May 2021 about Ojibwe Language revitalization in Minnesota. 
Image description: Memegwesi harvesting wild rice (Courtesy of Memegwesi Sutherland)

On this week’s Headlines: a controversial Indigenous encampment for unhoused relatives was cleared in Minneapolis, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community partners with the University of Minnesota on deer research, and Indigenous people nationwide celebrate a historic film victory.

The Minneapolis American Indian Center renovation project enters its final stages. For the past year, the Minneapolis American Indian Center has been undergoing major renovations- Travis Zimmerman has the story.
IMAGE: Architectural renderings of the completed project, courtesy of the Minneapolis American Indian Center.