Social Issues

She struggled to reclaim her Indigenous name. She hopes others have it easier
Earlier this year, Canada announced a new policy that allows Indigenous citizens to restore their names on government-issued ID, including passports, for free. One woman recounted her emotional and frustrating journey to officially reclaim her Indigenous family name.
Passenger: Officers didn't ID selves in fatal Winston Smith shooting
An attorney for Norhan Askar said Thursday that law enforcement officers were not in uniform and did not identify themselves as authorities when they surrounded Winston Smith's SUV with their guns drawn.
The U.S. will add a third gender option on passports
With the changes, "we don't have to lie to get our passports. We can just be ourselves," said Dana Zzyym, an intersex person who has fought for more gender options on U.S. passports.
‘You love me? Get the vaccine’: In this MN town, one-on-one conversations play a key role in COVID-19 shots
The state won’t meet its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older by July 1. And to understand all the challenges — and tiny victories — that come with inoculating the public, look no further than one city in the southeastern part of the state where officials are leaning on longstanding partnerships and trusted community leaders to get more people vaccinated. 
Inside one Minnesota school district’s battle over an equity training program 
Many Minnesota school districts are launching equity programs in an attempt to correct the state’s well-documented and longstanding racial inequalities. But in numerous places, groups of parents and sometimes students are combating those programs. Here’s what happened in Pequot Lakes, a rural, mostly white district in central Minnesota. 
Retired NPR reporter Tom Gjelten speaks at the College of St. Scholastica about his book, “A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story.”
Too much work or not enough: Minnesota Latinos describe one pandemic but two very different economies
For the past year, COVID-19 rattled the job market across Minnesota. Latinos, more than any other racial or ethnic group, remained in the state workforce. But many found themselves on divergent paths. Pandemic shutdowns cost restaurant owners and staff their livelihoods. Meanwhile, construction workers and contractors booked more jobs than they could handle.