This week’s Headlines from Minnesota Native News include an update from Camp Nenookasi and the transfer of the Upper Sioux Agency Park, as well as updates in tribal leadership across the state.
Transcript
This is Minnesota Native News, I’m Marie Rock. This week’s headlines include an update from Camp Nenookasi and the transfer of the Upper Sioux Agency Park, and updates in tribal leadership across the state.
CAMP NENOOKASI UPDATE
The city of Minneapolis has taken a significant step toward providing resources for unhoused residents at Camp Nenookasi, To provide stable living conditions for vulnerable residents at the camp, the city awarded a $1 million contract to a newly formed group, Helix Health and Housing Services. The contract is paid for by funds from the city’s Opioid Response Settlement, part of a federal settlement from opioid manufacturers and distributors that was reached in 2021.
Red Lake Band Consultant Adam Fairbanks and social worker Carrie Johnson co-lead Helix. In October 2023, they approached the city with a proposed "comprehensive public health response" for the residents of Camp Nenookaasi. Johnson worked with encampment residents at the Wall of Forgotten Natives in 2018. Johnson and Fairbanks formed Helix in 2022.
Helix operates on a harm reduction model, counter to the Hennepin County model known as coordinated entry. Instead of attempting to prioritize and place a moving population, Helix’s model allows them to immediately place residents into housing through a contract with the Red Lake Nation. This housing-first model does not require sobriety or other barriers for residents to be placed into housing.
Camp Nenookasi has been home to approximately 150 people living in tents in Minneapolis for the past year. Residents at the encampment are primarily indigenous and have faced complex challenges related to substance use, trauma, and homelessness.
Since mid-November, Helix claims it has successfully housed over 100 people from the encampment in various units across Minneapolis. These same numbers have been previously attributed to the City of Minneapolis and a Camp Nenookasi volunteer group led by Minneapolis Community member Nicole Mason.
The city of Minneapolis bypassed the competitive bidding process and awarded the funds directly to Helix, a for-profit organization. The city of did not provide a public statement about signing the contract with Helix late last year. The contract indicates that Helix will provide updates to the Minneapolis Health Department Opioid Response Team through monthly progress reports and bi-monthly in-person meetings.
DNR TO CLOSE UPPER SIOUX AGENCY STATE PARK IN FEBRUARY
On February 16, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources permanently close the Upper Sioux Agency State Park to the public. This closure is part of the ongoing effort to transfer the land within the park to the Upper Sioux Community.
The Upper Sioux Community, which has long sought the return of this historically significant land, will finally see their request fulfilled. The site holds a somber history, as it was the location of starvation and loss of life for Dakota people during the tragic summer of 1862. At that time, the U.S. Government failed to honor its treaty obligations by withholding promised food supplies.
The decision to return the land to the Upper Sioux Community was mandated by the Minnesota Legislature during the 2023 session. This move garnered support from the Minnesota DNR and Walz-Flanagan Administration.
Once closed, there will be no access to the park, and services will be unavailable. Closure of the park is necessary to allow the DNR time to remove park infrastructure prior to the land transfer, which is expected to occur in mid-March.
LONGTIME MILLE LACS TRIBAL LEADER TO STEP DOWN
Melanie Benjamin, the longest-serving Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, has announced that she will not seek re-election for a sixth term. Benjamin, who has led the band for over two decades, made history in 2000 as the first woman to hold this esteemed position in 2000.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe General Election will be held on June 11, 2024, and the new Chief will take office on July 8, 2024.
NEW LEADERSHIP AT TNEC
The Tribal Nations Education Committee or TNEC has elected Laurie Harper as its new Chair and Beth Tepper as its new Vice-Chair.
Chair Harper has represented the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe within TNEC since 2018. Her appointment follows a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Jennifer Murray, who served as Chairperson for four years, representing the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Vice Chair BethTepper has been representing the Twin Cities Metropolitan area on the committee since 2022.
Tepper assumes her new role, succeeding Maria Burnett, the representative from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who chose not to seek re-election.
For Minnesota Native News, I’m Emma Needham.