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.

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa elects new chair
Carlos A. Hernandez won in a close race, according to special election results shared by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.  
Leonard Peltier talks freedom, future after nearly 50 years in prison
After spending most of his life behind bars, Leonard Peltier now lives in a home on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation in North Dakota. He says he has no regrets but still harbors resentment over his imprisonment.
Changes to American Indian mascot rules may make exemptions easier for school districts, tribes
The change to state rules around American Indian mascots will allow public school districts to seek support from the nearest tribal nation when seeking an exemption. Under the previous bill, districts had to seek support from all 11 tribal nations in the state and the Tribal Nations Education Committee.
Native-led nonprofit receives grant for youth horse program
Dakota Wicohan, located in Morton near the Lower Sioux Indian Community, was recently named a recipient of the Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant. Funding will help to expand programming opportunities for their program that empowers youth to work with horses while learning traditional teachings. 
Trump wants to cut tribal college funding by nearly 90%, putting them at risk of closing
ProPublica found that Congress was underfunding tribal colleges by a quarter-billion dollars per year. Rather than fixing the problem, proposed federal funding cuts unveiled this week would devastate the schools, tribal education leaders say.