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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.

Two Dakota nations sign cannabis compacts with state of Minnesota

Two Dakota nations sign cannabis compacts with state of Minnesota

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed two more cannabis compacts with tribal nations — the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the Lower Sioux Indian Community — bringing the total number of tribal‑state cannabis compacts to nine.
by Leah Lemm

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Hazardous waste site impacting life on Leech Lake Reservation, despite 40-year cleanup effort

Hazardous waste site impacting life on Leech Lake Reservation, despite 40-year cleanup effort

From the 1950s until the 1980s, the St. Regis Paper Company treated wood with toxic chemicals near downtown Cass Lake on the Leech Lake Reservation. Those chemicals spread into the soil and groundwater. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Buffalo’s Fire reporter Gabrielle Nelson about her story on the hazardous waste site.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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After negotiations, prayer camp near Whipple building to close midweek

After negotiations, prayer camp near Whipple building to close midweek

A Lakota spiritual leader believes the camp broke “spiritual law” by situating the camp at a location understood and documented as a Dakota burial site. But camp leaders say they are looking for healing at the sacred site.
by Melissa Olson

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Bois Forte Band leadership discusses tribal affairs and financial update at state of the band

Bois Forte Band leadership discusses tribal affairs and financial update at state of the band

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa held its annual state of the band address over the weekend at Fortune Bay Resort Casino in Tower, Minn. Tribal leadership addressed financial concerns and updates and shared ongoing goals for the upcoming year. 
by Chandra Colvin

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Indigenous film festival coming to Fargo

Indigenous film festival coming to Fargo

The Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival debuts April 17 at the historic Fargo Theatre in Fargo, N.D. The inaugural event will celebrate Native storytelling and promote creative careers.

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'Language is a need': Ojibwe, Dakota speakers work to preserve, revive Indigenous languages

'Language is a need': Ojibwe, Dakota speakers work to preserve, revive Indigenous languages

Indigenous language speakers, educators and advocates gathered last week for the fifth annual Dakota and Ojibwe Language Symposium with a shared goal of growing the number of native language speakers in Minnesota.
by Hannah Yang

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White Earth Nation first Minnesota tribe to receive national accreditation for health care

White Earth Nation first Minnesota tribe to receive national accreditation for health care

As rural health care across the state faces challenges to funding and services, the Public Health Accreditation Board has awarded White Earth Nation's health care system national accreditation.
by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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How Native communities pushed back as ICE operations escalated

How Native communities pushed back as ICE operations escalated

Community patrollers, legal advocates, artists and local leaders activated amid immigration enforcement operations to document federal agent encounters, provide resources and assert legal rights.
by Melissa Olson

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