This week on Minnesota Native News, we get an update on how tribes across the state are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also hear about a native film series you can binge while quarantined in your homes .. plus a new podcast series from us! Here’s reporter Cole Premo with more.
Transcript
MARIE: Welcome to Minnesota Native News, I’m Marie Rock. This week on Minnesota Native News, we get an update on how tribes across the state are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also hear about a native film series you can binge while quarantined in your homes .. plus a new podcast series from us! Here’s reporter Cole Premo with more.
COLE: To combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, states across the nation are issuing stay-at-home orders, restricting travel to essential activities only.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order began just before midnight on Friday, March 27 and, as of now, will end on April 10. Nonessential businesses in Minnesota are closed, like dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms and basically anything that includes entertainment and gatherings of people.
Hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores and other essential businesses remain open.
Tribes across Minnesota have responded to the pandemic similarly, shutting down their casinos and gaming operations, focusing on keeping health care and advising band members to practice social distancing.
At the Mille Lacs Band Of Ojibwe, a stay-at-home order began at the same time Walz’s order began.
Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin stresses that the order will not change anything in the daily lives of most band members, because many have already been self-restricting activities and practicing social distancing.
White Earth Nation, which confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on its reservation on March 26, also issued a stay at home order.
Red Lake Nation issued a shelter in place order, and also implemented a curfew forbidding nonessential travel between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Here’s Red Lake Nation Chairmain Darrell Seki: “We as a tribe are trying to save lives for our membership.”
More information on the state’s stay-at-home order can be found at mn.gov/stayhomemn.
IN OTHER NEWS: If you’re looking for something to binge watch while you practice social distancing, we have a great option for you.
The Walker Art Center will be offering online presentations of INDI-genesis, GEN3, an ongoing native film series. The film series, curated by Missy Whiteman, was canceled at the Walker due to the COVID-19 response.
The series of short films, all created by indigenous filmmakers, is called Revitalization. The titles include “Isabella’s Garden”, “Boxer of Brule” and “Fast Horse”.
Missy Whiteman says indigenous people have always adapted during times of uncertainty and invites everyone to the virtual screenings.
You can find links to the short films in the “Crosscuts” section of the Walker Art Center’s website.
LASTLY: Here’s another bingeable option if you love listening to podcasts…
In addition to “Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine”, we’ve started another podcast series “Native Lights: Biidaapi”. We’re checking in with our native communities as we all adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ojibwe word, Biidaapi, means she or he comes or arrives laughing… and it reminds us to keep our spirits up through connection and conversations.
We are already posting episodes, so check out “Native Lights: Biidaapi” wherever you get your podcasts! And let us know on our Minnesota Native News Facebook page if you have suggestions. Stay safe everyone.
I’m Cole Premo.