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.

January 25, 2024 11:55 AM

Mille Lacs Band's chief executive Benjamin won’t seek reelection, calls job ‘greatest honor of my life’

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s chief executive Melanie Benjamin announced she will not be seeking a seventh term in office. Benjamin has served the nearly 5,000 member Ojibwe nation as the band’s top executive for nearly two and a half decades.

by Melissa Olson

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January 25, 2024 4:00 AM

In Ojibwe tradition, snow on the ground means it’s sacred storytelling season

The Native News team talks about the seven grandfather teachings, seasonal storytelling and Native books with James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, a speaker, digital creator and author of “The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.”

by Leah Lemm and Melissa Olson

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January 23, 2024 4:00 AM

Ramsey County Board weighs possible name change for Savage Lake in Little Canada

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday on the proposal to rename the lake that includes a derogatory term used to describe Native Americans.

by Regina Medina

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January 18, 2024 4:23 PM

Native American Heritage hockey mask now in collection at Minnesota Historical Society

A custom goalie mask worn by a Minnesota Wild goaltender in warmups before a game earlier this season — in defiance of an NHL edict — is now in a collection at the Minnesota Historical Society.

by Peter Cox

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January 17, 2024 7:31 PM

Hemp-insulated homes offer promise of affordable housing and jobs for Lower Sioux Community

On reservations where housing affordability and quality are persistent problems, temperatures at or below zero or always a concern. Earl Pendleton, a former tribal council member with the Lower Sioux Community, is turning to hemp to help solve those problems as well as create economic opportunities for tribal members.

by Tom Crann, Lukas Levin and Matthew Alvarez

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January 14, 2024 4:00 AM

Human remains held by U's medical school raise questions around tribal consultation

A preliminary review found that some of the remains are likely Native American in origin. A newly revised federal law protecting Indigenous human remains went into effect Friday.

by Melissa Olson

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January 10, 2024 11:03 AM

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe annual event highlights priorities, progress and cannabis plans

Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said 2023 was a year of progress for the central Minnesota-based tribe. Benjamin outlined band priorities for the coming year, including plans to open a cannabis growing facility.

by Melissa Olson and Kirsti Marohn

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January 10, 2024 4:00 AM

Small land transfer may be a big deal in tribal lands debate

In what could become a blueprint for similar Minnesota communities, Lake City, southeast of the Twin Cities, has returned ownership of Dakota burial mounds back to their modern-day relatives at Prairie Island Indian Community. Two communities historically at odds now may be ushering in a period of understanding.

by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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January 8, 2024 8:23 AM

Lily Gladstone is the Golden Globes' first Indigenous best actress winner

Lily Gladstone has made Golden Globes history. She became the first Indigenous person to win an award for best actress in a drama on Sunday night. Gladstone won for her role as Mollie Burkhart in Martin Scorsese’s epic “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

by The Associated Press

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January 4, 2024 10:45 AM

Minneapolis clears Camp Nenookaasi, an encampment of unhoused, mostly Native people

The city of Minneapolis began clearing Camp Nenookaasi, a large encampment of unsheltered people, just before noon Thursday. People living at the encampment in south Minneapolis are removing their belongings from the area. More than 100 people have been living in tents and other temporary structures at Camp Nenookaasi for months.

by Melissa Olson

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