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.

Tribal Advocacy Council on Energy aims to ease power woes in Indian Country
Tribal elected officials say the cost of energy on tribal lands is higher than it should be. So they formed a new advocacy body to make policy recommendations to state and federal agencies on energy issues. 
Prayers, songs greet Dakota Riders in Mankato 162 years after hangings
In a revival of a tradition which seemed to have ended two years ago, participants in not one but two Dakota Rides arrived in Mankato Thursday. The event commemorates 38 Dakota men hanged on the day after Christmas in 1862 following the U.S.-Dakota War, and two other Dakota men hanged later.
Power Pair: Brothers David Treuer and Anton Treuer on writing and Ojibwe culture
MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation with brothers Anton Treuer and David Treuer about their latest books, reclaiming Ojibwe culture and growing up together on the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota.
Washington Post reporter explains how they uncovered more Native children deaths at boarding schools
A national investigation of former government-run boarding schools found new data on deaths there of Native students, including at Minnesota schools. The Washington Post reports 3,104 Native American students died at the institutions — triple the number previously reported by the federal government.
Pain, hope, history share the ride as Dakota Exiles commemorate Mankato hangings
A nearly 300-mile journey ends in Mankato this week to mark the 161st anniversary of one of the grimmest chapters in Dakota history, the hanging of 38 men after the U.S.- Dakota War. Riders hope their work will bring more understanding of this history. 
‘Niimiwin’ art exhibit celebrates the powwow tradition
All My Relations Arts will celebrate its current exhibit with live performances and an art market at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. “Niimiwin” is a multimedia art exhibit inspired by powwow and dance.
The M’s New Wing and exhibition glow after $14M renovation and expansion
At the Minnesota Museum of American Art, newly commissioned Native works and a broad range of historic and contemporary art are displayed together in the expanded New Wing, creating a setting that centers Indigenous perspectives.
Amid safety concerns, federal government puts land into trust for Prairie Island Indian Community
The Prairie Island Indian Community can start preparing to move its gaming operations — should that be necessary — after a ruling by the federal government last week put about 400 acres of land into trust. It was spurred by the tribe’s concerns that “catastrophic” flooding or an incident from the nearby nuclear power plant would render their casino inoperable.