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Minnesota Native News Special Report: U.S. Senator Tina Smith talks about federal assistance for tribes during the Coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19/ Coronavirus Resources & Reporting | Minnesota Native News | Special Editions | Ampers
Tribes across the U.S. have been expecting their share of 8-billion dollars from the federal CARES Act that was passed at the end of March to support those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Some of those funds just started to flow to tribes the week of May 4th. Reporter Melissa Townsend talked with Minnesota’s U-S Senator Tina Smith, who sits on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. They talk about the delay in the disbursement of the $8-billion promised to tribal governments, problems in the way the money is being allocated for each tribe, new financial assistance for tribal casinos and a possible investigation into Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Tara Sweeney over her conflict of interest in allocating federal assistance to Alaska Native Corporations that was intended for tribal governments.  

RECENT STORIES

MN Native News: Open Houses for American Indian Month

American Indian Month in Minnesota continues this May. And, this weekend’s a busy one.

MN Native News: May is American Indian Month in MN

Tribes and Native American organizations around Minnesota, including in the cities, are hosting open houses, pow wows, and other events throughout the month.

Native Lights: An Garagiola’s Gift For Bringing Indigenous Values to Academia

Today Leah and Cole chat with An Garagiola, a descendent of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and the University Coordinator and a Lead Researcher on the TRUTH Project. An shares about researching archives from the University of MN and the MN Historical Society, findings from the TRUTH Project, and how she’s bringing Indigenous values to Academia and research.

MN Native News: TRUTH Report Narrates U of M’s Historic Exploitation, Outlines Path To Healing

The TRUTH Report details findings from the university’s own records. And, that as a land-grant institution, the U of M has systematically profited from exploiting and harming Indigenous people.


Native Lights: Misty Blue & Indigenous-led Research Toward Healing and Recognition

Today Misty Blue, White Earth Nation citizen and Tribal coordinator of the TRUTH Project, chats with Leah and Cole about some of the report’s findings, the importance of Indigenous led research, and what the TRUTH project recommends the UMN do to take steps toward healing.

MN Native News: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Take Stand with Water Over Nickel initiative

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is taking a stand as water protectors in northeast Minnesota. The Band’s Department of Natural Resources launched its Water Over Nickel initiative just last month. Its goal? To protect cultural resources, sacred medicines and its people in Aitkin County. Which could be hurt by proposed nickel mining.

Native Lights: Gerilyn Lopez, Supporting Access to Energy Efficient Practices and Renewable Energy

She connects low incomes families to energy-efficient practices and materials in Northern Minnesota. In addition, she is an advocate for women and diverse communities getting into the clean energy and home improvement industries. Her work led her to speak at the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference in March. She shares her experiences at the conference, what she does as a weatherization auditor and how her interest in solar energy has lead her down this path.

MN Native News- MN Chippewa Tribe Welcomes New Executive Director, Beth Drost

Drost grew up in Grand Portage and is an enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Her interest in tribal politics traces back to her childhood and especially to her father.

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McKnight FoundationPohlad family foundationThe Minneapolis FoundationSaint Paul & Minnesota Foundation