This week on Minnesota Native News; Prairie Island Indian Community vies for 40-million dollars for renewable energy projects, tribes come together to support Native health and Hopkins School District American Indian Education has a year of firsts.
Transcript
HEADLINES: This week on Minnesota Native News - Prairie Island Indian Community vies for 40-million dollars for renewable energy projects, tribes come together to support Native health and Hopkins School District American Indian Ed. has a year of firsts.
Story #1- Prairie Island Net Zero Project
The Prairie Island Indian Community may receive 40 million dollars from the state legislature for renewable energy projects.
Reporter Melissa Townsend gives us the details.
The Prairie Island Indian community is a Dakota community in southern Minnesota.
Shelley Buck, President of the Tribal Council, says they’ve been talking about developing renewable energy sources - like wind and solar - for a long time.
BUCK: Back when we first started talking about it, everything was so expensive, because it was so new. And we were like well, we just can’t really do it right and we’ll try and figure it out later. (:09)
Well now may finally be the time.
[The Omnibus Job Growth and Energy Affordability Bill (HF 4289)]
A bill in the state legislature includes 40-million dollars for Prairie Island to develop renewable energy sources on the reservation.
Buck says the money could help the Dakota community become net zero — meaning they would generate as much energy on the reservation as they use.
BUCK: We can become one of the first net zero tribal nations in the country. (:04)
Now there’s an interesting story behind this 40 million dollar grant.
The money comes from a deal the state struck with Xcel Energy about nuclear waste.
Back in 1994, the state mandated the company contribute millions of dollars each year to a state fund.
In exchange, Xcel energy is allowed to store nuclear waste on the grounds of its 2 nuclear power plants - one in Monticello and one in Prairie Island.
The money has been granted to Xcel customers who want to develop renewable energy projects.
Even though the Prairie Island Indian reservation is less than a mile away from the Xcel nuclear facility — the tribe was not eligible to apply for hte money.
Again, Tribal President Shelly Buck:
BUCK: We are not Xcel customers. We are Dakota Electric customers. (:03)
But last year the tribe successfully lobbied the legislature to change the law so they could apply for the funds.
BUCK: We were not happy with the bill last year and we were like if this is the way it’s going to go through, then we need to be included as well. (:07)
And this year they have submitted their first proposal.
BUCK: Xcel is literally 600 yards away from us and we are the ones that shoulder the majority of the risks from the plant, so it’s good that we are finally going to get something out of it. (:12)
Buck says the community has some ideas, but the tribal council is working with consultants to identify specific projects where wind and solar will be suitable.
The bill has a few more hurdles but if granted, the money will be dispersed to the community over the next 5 years.
For Minnesota Naive News, I’m Melissa Townsend.
#2 - Hopkins
This is a big year of firsts for the American Indian education in the suburban Hopkins School District.
In 2016 the state legislature allocated more funds for American Indian education in districts across Minnesota.
As a result, this year, the Hopkins Public School district hired its first American Indian Education Coordinator…
organized its first American Indian Parent Advisory Committee…
And this month - the district will host is First Annual American Indian Culture Celebration.
Allegra Snistik [Smee-sheck] says the idea came from the new American Indian parent group.
SNISTIK: They made the point that how can we better support he cultural identity of our students and that that was what was missing and what was needed as a priority. (:13)
Snistik {Smee-sheck] says the event will start with an elder’s blessing, and a feast.
There will also be arts activities, vendor booths and free books for families by regional Native authors.
The event is at the Hopkins High School on Saturday May 19th from noon to 3 P-M.
#3 - Race
The Ho Chunk Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community are teaming up to support a 5k run later this month.
DULONG: The name is XXX. That’s a Ho Chunk phrase which means taking back our health or reclaiming our health. (:09)
Danielle Dulong has been organizing this annual 5k race since 2012.
The first race had 40 American Indian families participate.
But last year, there were nearly 500 people in the race.
And this year there are already 400 signed up to take part.
DULONG: It’s definitely a site to see American Indians united and reclaiming their health. doing something positive as families and as a community, being active and acting towards health. (:11)
The 5K race is on May 24th at lake Phalen Regional park in St Paul.
Along with the tribes, a number of St Paul American Indian lead organizations are also supporting the event.