Native News

The Native News Project is a new initiative from MPR News.

Stay informed with the latest news about local and national Native American communities, highlighting stories and issues important to Native American communities in Minnesota and beyond.

Our coverage includes cultural events, policy updates, community stories and more to provide a platform for Native voices, perspectives and important news.

Lower Sioux Indian Community to host International Hemp Building Symposium this weekend
The Lower Sioux Indian Community is hosting the 13th International Hemp Building Symposium this weekend. It’s the first time the conference has been held in the United States.
Government shutdown begins, ‘too early to tell’ the full impact on Indian Country
The United States government has entered a shutdown, meaning many federal agencies have had funding cut off and are furloughing workers. For Indian Country, this is a violation of dozens of different treaty obligations with no clear end in sight. 
Award-winning Owamni to bring Indigenous cuisine to Guthrie Theater
Owamni, the James Beard Award-winning restaurant founded by chef Sean Sherman, will move in spring 2026 to the Guthrie Theater’s long-vacant riverfront restaurant space in downtown Minneapolis.
Vigil in Bemidji remembers dedicated Indigenous leader, honors boarding school impacts
Native community members in Bemidji will gather Tuesday evening to honor those impacted by boarding and residential schools and to pay tribute to a community leader whose advocacy will be remembered. 
‘Indian Country can’t afford a shutdown’: What a possible government shutdown could mean for tribal nations
The federal government’s fiscal year ends at midnight Sept. 30, meaning the government will shut down and dozens of services to tribal nations will be cut off if a new spending deal isn’t reached in Congress.