Minnesota Native News

This week, Minnesota Native News covers how cousins Sam and Travis Zimmerman brought a family story to life in " How the Birds Got Their Songs ." Plus, how some Minnesota Indigenous leaders and educators are bracing for federal cuts to Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The 4th Annual Two Spirit Pow Wow in Minneapolis welcomes and celebrates all relatives. Meanwhile, proposed federal Medicaid cuts are heading to the Senate, raising concerns for community health.

This week on Minnesota Native News , a look at how Indigenous educators are celebrating Native graduates, plus, how invasive species are impacting tribal waterways. 

This week on Minnesota Native News , the third annual Tribal Energy Evolution Summit brings over 70 Indigenous nations to St. Paul, and leaders from 11 Minnesota tribes call for unity and action following recent neighborhood violence impacting the Little Earth community.

May 5th is MMIW Awareness Day — a day to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people, with events statewide. Plus, pow wow season kicks off in Spring, and pow wow planners provide guidance, especially for those new to attending these events.  

This week, how REAL ID requirements impact Indigenous people, especially Two-Spirit individuals. Also, New Native Theatre's latest play runs April 16-May 4. 

This week, Minneapolis's Native American Community Clinic (NACC) seeks artists to commission pieces for their new building. Plus, nearby, the Little Earth of United Tribes housing community will kick off May's American Indian Month with a celebration organized in part by the Minneapolis Public Schools American Indian Youth Council, Ogichida Oyate. 

This week, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could reshape child custody laws for Native American children. At the heart of the case is a challenge to the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, or MIFPA. Plus, a proposed bill in Congress is raising concerns about voting among Native communities across the country. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act woul...

This week on Minnesota Native News, a look at Indigenous Minnesotans continuing the sugarbush tradition in urban areas, and a conversation with Khayman Goodsky, director of the Minnesota-produced film, When Thunderbird Dances.  

This week on Minnesota Native News , we cover the recent staff terminations at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, and headlines affecting Indigenous communities in Minnesota.

This week on Minnesota Native News , we cover the 22nd Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference in Cohasset, Minnesota. Also, timely information about the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Child Tax Credit.  Producer: Deanna StandingCloud Voicing: Emma Needham Host: Marie Rock 

This week on Minnesota Native News , the recent homecoming celebration for recently released AIM activist Leonard Peltier. We also cover state-wide and federal headlines affecting Indigenous nations. Scripting: Deanna StandingCloud,  Reporting & Voicing: Emma Needham, Voicing & editing: Britt Aamodt, and Host: Marie Rock

This week, Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine faces delays as legal rulings hold up permits, and a local Indigenous-led coalition’s push for climate justice at the state legislature.  Producers: Vincent Moniz, Deanna StandingCloud

The Minnesota comedy duo Big Auntie Energy prepares a special Valentine’s Day event. Plus, a new Indigenous-owned tattoo shop launches a community art and tattoo festival. Producers: Travis Zimmerman, Deanna StandingCloud Editing help from Chandra Colvin Host: Marie Rock

New mental health care treatments are now available for the Native community to help individuals heal from traumatic events impacting their lives. Plus, the Indigenous community takes action for missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives in February. Producers: Deanna StandingCloud, Emma Needham Host: Marie Rock Executive Producer: Emma Needham

This week, former President Biden granted Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier clemency, and there's new leadership at the Native Governance Center in Minneapolis.  Producers: CJ Younger, Emma Needham, Travis Zimmerman Host: Marie Rock Executive Producer: Emma Needham

Tension with Minneapolis police drove the Native community to form safety patrols. Now, with a federal investigation, the Minneapolis police department faces additional oversight. Plus, tribal – state cannabis compact negotiations are underway in Minnesota.  Producers: Deanna StandingCloud, CJ Younger Host: Marie Rock Executive Producer: Emma Needham

This week, how an organization is advancing Indigenous cultural education across the state, plus: college application deadlines are right around the corner! Hear experiences and information from the Native American College Fair.  Producers: Chandra Colvin, Joely Kelzer Host: Marie Rock Executive Producer: Emma Needham

This week, we revisit how the box-office hit, Star Wars: A New Hope, returns to the big screen in one of Minnesota’s Indigenous languages. Producer: Deanna StandingCloud Host: Marie Rock Executive Producer: Emma Needham

This week on Minnesota Native News: AIM co-director, Lisa Bellanger, speaks about the legacy of respected AIM leader Frank Paro, who passed on earlier this month; and the Sioux Chef Sean Sherman tells MN Native News about his work after earning a Pathfinder Award this month. 

This week on Minnesota Native News, we revisit the Winter Artist Market Collaboration between the Native American Community Development Institute’s All My Relations Arts Gallery and the Four Sisters Farmers Market, with details on the upcoming Niimiwin Artist Market at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

This week on Minnesota Native News: how a new license plate helps Minnesota drivers support the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives; Native people across Minnesota welcome the winter season through cultural and spiritual storytelling.  Photo: Senator Mary Kunesh holds the MN MMIR license plate she helped design and pass legislation for—image courtesy of the MN Department of Publi...

An upcoming film production in northern Minnesota plans to bring together a talented team of Indigenous storytellers, actors, and crew. Producers say the film will portray Indigenous culture, life, and romance.  Photo: From left to right, Tashia Hart, John Williams, and Elizabeth Day take a photo together with the screenplay of Native Love Jams. Courtesy of Tashia Hart 

Events are scheduled all over Minnesota in honor of Native American Heritage Month. This week, Minnesota Native News highlights three events planned during November. Photo: Grand Entry at Minnesota Pow Wow. Courtesy of Joel Glaser, AMPERS. 

Manoomin, also known as wild rice, holds immense cultural significance for Native Americans in Minnesota and the surrounding region. Chandra Colvin takes us to a festival that teaches people about the history and the different ways manoomin is harvested and prepared.