COVID-19 Still Infecting Native Minnesotans Keep Peace During Chauvin Trial by LEE EGERSTROM Most Groups in Minnesota and Especially by the Ethnic Com- Munities

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FREE MAY 2021 • VOLUME 42, ISSUE 5 FREE Mpls community organizations helped COVID-19 still infecting Native Minnesotans keep peace during Chauvin trial BY LEE EGERSTROM most groups in Minnesota and especially by the ethnic communities. A feared reaction like ith Minneapolis the damage that followed on pins and nee- Floyd’s death a year ago didn’t W dles during the happen. recent Derek Chauvin murder “Although the trial of former trial, the city reached out to Officer Chauvin may have con- seven community organizations cluded, the trauma it evoked in to form community patrols to our communities continues to help keep the peace and lessen have an impact,” said Sasha tensions. Cotton, director of the city’s The Native American Office of Violence Prevention Community Development (OVP). Institute (NACDI), in the heart She said creating community of the Native community in the patrols with cultural and com- Phillips Neighborhood, was munity organizations was one of them. The nearby important for OVP to work Corcoran Neighborhood with the city’s diverse commu- A Covid-19 vaccine poster from the Indian Health Board. Minnesota’s tribal nations are ahead of the general Organization and T.O.U.C.H. nities. public in getting members vaccinated, but estimated 78 percent of Minnesota’s Native population lives off Outreach was another, and the “We understand that tension reservations and tribal lands. (Courtesy of IHS.) We Push for Peace group, in the city was and remains BY LEE EGERSTROM which has extensive operations high,” Cotton said in a state- within Phillips and the Cedar- ment for The Circle. innesotans were told they can ferent ethnic and racial lines. Riverside area of Minneapolis “One of the best ways to return to more “normal” activity A category for people identified as multiracial as well, was also a patrol part- address tension, stress and M as April came to an end although, and non-Hispanic account for 2 percent of ner. trauma is to ensure that people it appears, the new “normal” also means a cau- Minnesota’s population. MDH researchers In announcing the plan, the are getting resources and infor- tious lifestyle in the months ahead. said they also accounted for 2 percent of all city said it had awarded about mation from within their own Readers can get swamped by COVID-19 Minnesota diagnosed cases, 3 percent of hos- $1 million to the seven groups cultural and geographic com- news and statistics that change daily. At pitalizations and ICU hospitalizations, and 1 in contracts that will run munities, which was one of the month’s end, however, Minnesota data kept percent of total deaths. through the rest of the year. major focus areas of our com- by the Minnesota Department of Health These numbers included 16 additional Each organization had submit- munity patrols.” (MDH) do show state numbers improving for Minnesota deaths and 1,877 new cases of the ted budget proposals for up to The Chauvin trial is far from Natives and other communities in the state. virus tallied that day. This is a statistic, not a $175,000 to provide patrols and the end of the trauma that Using U.S. Census Bureau numbers that source of comfort for the sickened or their offer outreach assistance for the began with the death of Floyd may underestimate Minnesota’s Native popu- loved ones. city. a year ago. lation, given that many Indigenous people have What is positive about the data is that it rep- George Floyd, a Black man, Sentencing for Chauvin is set multiple ethnic and racial identities, health resents a statistical improvement, a measure died while in police custody on for June. Legal experts antici- reports suggest Native impacts from the global that we are making progress after another wave May 25 last year. His death, pate the verdicts will be coronavirus pandemic is close to the norm for of COVID-19 infections in early April. The while under a knee of former appealed. And a trial for three all Minnesota groups. threat to health, however, is still with us. police officer Chauvin, was cap- other former Minneapolis In monthly data released April 30, MDH In First World countries where COVID-19 tured on bystander video and police officers who were with researchers used the Census estimate that testing is widespread, the World Health shown around the world. Chauvin when Floyd was mur- American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) Organization (WHO) said testing samples It triggered civil rights activity dered is set to begin in August. represent about 1 percent of Minnesota’s total should have less than 5 percent positive rates throughout the United States All can be flashpoints and population. They currently account for 1 per- before states, provinces and countries reopen and in some parts of Europe as lead to more civil unrest. cent of all COVID-19 cases in Minnesota, 2 their economies from virus safety precautions. well. It also caused unrest in “Keep in mind, we have percent of hospitalizations, 2 percent of the The month-end data for Minnesota showed Minneapolis and St. Paul, shootings all too often and more serious Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hos- the positive rate had fallen below that bench- resulting in looting, fires and other acts of violence in our pitalization, and 1 percent of Minnesota’s 7,144 mark, to 4.57 percent. damage to property. communities,” said Trahern cumulative deaths from the virus. A jury on April 20 found Pollard, founder and chief exec- Actual numbers may be higher since Native Chauvin guilty of second utive of the We Push for Peace Minnesotans are known to be found across dif- – CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 – degree and third degree mur- groups that was started in der, and of a lesser manslaugh- 2004. 4 – Covid: Great Outdoors is calling 13 – Book reviews: Story of Ho Chuck ter charge as well. These 10 – Native Americans in Sports Congresswoman inspires verdicts were well received by – CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 – 11 – Chauvin guilty of murder, manslaughter 15 – It Ain’t Easy Being Indian HealthHealth carecare can bebe expensive,expensive, especiallyespecially asas wewe age.age.

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2 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org ENVIRONMENT The Water Protector Spring is coming

BY WINONA LADUKE months: the Jordan Cove Pipeline (another Canadian pipeline project, re you going to shoot us for heading for the Oregon Coast and a Canadian pipeline com- Chinese exports) and the Keystone XL A pany? Or put another way, if Pipeline. No pipeline projects can prove this pipeline is such a good idea, why that they could protect the environment, are there so many cops up north? or meet a climate test, let alone benefit The Minneapolis Star Tribune just the people. revealed that Enbridge has laid out What we know is that before the court $750,000 to northern police forces, not decision will come, Enbridge will return, counting an undisclosed number of pri- after a hiatus due to road restrictions, vate security forces. That includes non and they will be moving as quickly as lethal weapons like batons, tear gas and possible. In the meantime, investments riot gear. Beltrami county, for instance, into the tar sands have been plummet- took $183,000 or so, and they don’t ing, and Enbridge is hoping to blow life even have a new Line 3 pipeline corri- into the industry – literally the dirtiest dor. Contractors work on the Line 3 replacement project outside of Oliver near Superior. and most expensive oil on the market. It seems that Governor Walz decided (Photo by Elizabeth McMahon/WPR.) In a time of climate crisis, this is about to approve this pipeline because it would have been ardent supporters of spilled more than 1,200 gallons of petro- Canadian oil and Canadian profits. We create jobs and economic prosperity in Enbridge, and now refunds due to leum near Fort Atkinson, contaminating will see how the Home Team does. The the north, and that Enbridge proposed Enbridge exceed their annual tax levies. soil and groundwater, and did not report Court Decision is due at the end of this pipeline would be a safe one. The For larger counties, refunds – “in the the spill to regulators for more than 15 June. problem is that is not true. best-case scenario” – could still lead to months. On April l, the company sent home Enbridge promised that 50% of the tax increases, service cuts or depleted Enbridge is running a huge campaign, about 3000 workers due to road restric- jobs would be from Minnesota, but the reserves, Matt Hilgart of the Minnesota touting “reconciliation” with tribes, yet tions. Although the company has told Star Tribune reports, “…at the end of Counties Association said, calling it a the company is suing the Bad River the media the pipeline is almost 50% December …just 33% of the 4,664 work- “tsunami” of the worst possible decision. tribe, trying to force the tribe to accept completed, on the ground reports indi- ers building the replacement for Enbridge successfully argued that their the 13 mile pipe through the reservation, cate less than 35% of the pipe is in. Enbridge’s current Line 3 were pipelines had an accelerated deprecia- despite the tribe ordering the company Those workers and the company will Minnesota residents…Minnesota work- tion. “I just don’t know where we will to remove the aging Line 5. return with a vengeance. The courts ers provided only 28% of the labor for get the money to do it,” said Bob have not done well for pipeline compa- the project. Many of those jobs have Schmitz, Red Lake County Auditor. End Game nies. The company would like to get the been in logging and in security….” At “You can only get so much milk out of Enbridge is moving as quickly as they pipeline in before the court overturns the end, Enbridge will be providing 23 a cow.” Enbridge suggests that the new can. On March 23, the Minnesota Court the permits, as in in the Dakota Access jobs over the long term, according to the line will provide $35 million in property of Appeals heard the case of the White Pipeline and Standing rock. company. (There are an exceptional taxes annually to the counties, but it’s Earth Anishinaabe, Red Lake Nation, For Enbridge, there is not one river. amount of local jobs, however, for not clear if this true, particularly if the Department of Commerce, and other There are twenty two rivers which Native people from Fond du Lac, or per- company is allowed to accelerate the groups challenge the certificate of need Enbridge must cross. As the company haps working for Gordon Construction.) depreciation for the pipeline, as it has and route permit. In June, the court will takes a pause from destruction let’s A lot of jobs are also in security, and done in the Tax Case. render a decision. That may stop the remember our waters, our prayers and those are what are called “conflict jobs” pipeline, and it may not. We will see, our generations ahead. The Water – sort of like “Blood Diamond jobs”, Blowing Off Governments and certainly, there are thousands of Protector Spring is coming, and most which pit people against people. In Michigan, the Enbridge Line 5 people hoping that the Minnesota Court Minnesotans don’t think that Water Remember that we just witnessed the pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac of Appeals will stop Enbridge’s expan- Protectors should be shot for a Derek Chauvin Trial and the death of is sixty years old and no longer sion into the north. Two other major Canadian pipeline company. Daunte Wilson. Up north, 250 people anchored. The Line 5 pipe was put in pipelines got cancelled in the past few have been arrested thus far, most of before the Clean Water Act or Clean them charged with trespassing and many Air Act. In November of last year, of them subjected to unnecessary strip Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer searches and held in jails in the north. ordered the pipeline to cease operating THE CIRCLE SPONSORS With a bottomless pile of money, sher- by May 12, 2021. iff’s are signing up to follow water pro- On January 13, 2021, Enbridge tectors. In a time of budget cuts and rejected Michigan’s order saying, “that COVID, Enbridge has “incentivized” the State lacks the authority to terminate surveillance and incarceration of water or revoke” the easement, a move that it protectors. Experts in policing question says would wrongfully displace the role the arrangement. Kevin Karpiak, an of the federal pipeline administrator. Eastern Michigan University professor, Estimates indicate a spill in Michigan said the public safety account raises could cost $400 billion to clean, if it is questions about the broader role and possible at all. authority of law enforcement, and “who Wisconsin also has Enbridge pipes, the police work for, and whose interests and a history of spills. Enbridge did not they represent, or whose interests they report a spill for l5 months in 2019. In claim to represent ..” March 2021, Wisconsin officials found that Enbridge had under reported a spill Tax returns to Canada at 1 gallon of petroleum while it was Canadian Enbridge will receive over actually over 1200 gallons, which leaked $55 million back from Minnesota coun- from the Enbridge pipe. Jefferson ties in property taxes, according to the County residents are questioning why Minnesota Tax court. Two of those Enbridge Energy took 21 days to repair THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CIRCLE counties – Red Lake and Clearwater – a leaking underground pipeline that http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 3 HEALTH COVID-19: “Great Outdoors” may be calling, but don’t throw caution to the winds

BY LEE EGERSTROM At the Center’s website, Owen described her director’s job as developing and managing programs to increase he message came down in late AIAN student enrollments for these April from the White House, careers and to do outreach work with T the Centers for Disease local and national Native leaders to keep Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Medical School focused state capitols all across the nation that on AIAN health care and education vaccinated people can begin going out- needs. doors without masks. She also works on developing an This is a step toward what was consid- AIAN track for students interested in ered pre-coronavirus normalcy. But med- providing healthcare for AIAN commu- ical experts and a leading Native health nities and developing research efforts educator warn that this is no time to let on AIAN health disparities. down our guard against the COVID-19 Owen told The Circle that she is virus. proud of tribal leaders in Minnesota “We have the variants,” said Dr. Mary who have actively encouraged Native Owen at the University of Minnesota, Minnesotans to get vaccinated. They led Duluth (UMD) and its Center of by example, she said, by getting their American Indian and Minority Health. shots in front of reporters and television “We still don’t know what they will do cameras. And, she added, tribal leaders to us.” were quick in enforcing Minnesota Even though vaccination rates are Health Department (MDH) and federal steadily increasing in Minnesota and else- Centers for Disease Control and where, and rates of new infections are Prevention (CDC) guidelines and rec- decreasing, variant forms of the COVID- ple are close together outdoors. If you ability to the virus than for other pop- ommendations for keeping people safe. 19 virus are on the rise. These are more don’t know the people around you, and ulation groups in the state, she said. At There are now sufficient supplies of contagious and are often more severe that if they have been vaccinated, masking the same time, studies by medical all three vaccines to combat COVID-19 the virus strain identified with the out- up and keep safe social distances are still researchers have shown that Native or at least reduce the severity of an infec- break that hit in March 2020. lines of defense. Americans and Alaskan Natives tion. Progress is being made in vaccinat- What troubles Dr. Owen and officials On April 29, the Minnesota (AIAN), and other people of color, have ing people. But there are signs that at the Minnesota Department of Health Department of Health said more than been more harshly impacted by the virus demand for getting vaccinated is slowing is that younger people are becoming 2.5 Minnesotans had at least one dose than the general public. down. infected at higher rates now than when of a vaccine for the virus. The number That is a consequence of inequality in After a year of constant COVID news, COVID-19 first arrived. of state residents that have completed health care, stretched over time, Owen Owen said, there might be a reaction to After a year in which public gatherings their vaccines was approaching 1.9 mil- said. COVID overload. were discouraged, restaurants and bars lion. People with underlying health condi- On a dashboard tracking COVID-19 and other businesses were shut down That is hailed as progress in tions, such as diabetes, lung and heart infections and actions updated daily by or had limited access, restrictions are Minnesota. But the state has 5.7 million problems, are hit harder than healthier MDH, the downward slide in vaccina- being eased. Young people may be more residents. As of April 27, that means people. Native Americans have long had tions was noticeable in the last week of inclined to go back to socializing with 56.8 percent of Minnesotans have had such health condition problems and April. friends, without caution, than the gen- one shot, and 42.1 percent are fully vac- many do not have easy access to health It showed 71,184 vaccinations were eral public even though nice weather cinated. care. given on April 21, 74,626 on April 22, temps all to break from COVID hiber- “We have a long way to go before we Owen serves as director of the Center 62,102 on April 23, and 33,802 on nation. reach herd immunity,” Owen said. of American Indian and Minority April 24. Since then, the number of peo- Masks are still required in indoor set- There probably isn’t a difference Health (CAIMH) at the University of ple getting vaccinated on April 25 tings and are still encouraged where peo- between Native young people’s vulner- Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth dropped to 12,393, 34,005 on April 26 campus. She also has the position of and 29,538 on April 27. assistant professor for the Department This comes after Minnesota officials THE CIRCLE is a 501(c)3 non-profit newspaper and is governed by of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral have opened up vaccinations for most a board of directors from the American Indian community. Health. people ages 16 and older after starting Off campus, Owen continues to pro- the program with limited distribution BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Circle is dedicated to presenting news from a Native American vide clinical care at the Center of for elders and people with jobs forcing perspective, while granting an equal opportunity to community voices. CHAIR American Indian Resources in Duluth. them to be in contact with people who The Circle is published monthly by The Circle Corporation, MELISSA BUFFALO Elsewhere, she is president of the PO Box 7506, 3045 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. may be infected or carriers of the virus. VICE-CHAIR Editorials and articles are the sole responsibility of the authors, Association of American Indian With more people now eligible to get JOY PERSALL and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, attitude, or philosophy of Physicians professional organization. vaccinated, numbers of people availing TREASURER The Circle. The Circle does not endorse any product or service A member of the Tlingit nation in themselves to this protection should not SHIRLEY SNEVE accepted as advertising, and reserves the right to reject any Alaska, Owen is a graduate of the be dropping. SECRETARY advertising, material, or letters. The Circle encourages the submission University’s program. She returned to of Letters to the Editor, which must include the writer’s name and JANE STEFFEN address. Letters may be edited for language and length. her tribal community at Juneau to prac- Information on vaccines and their BOARD MEMBERS tice medicine before circling back to the availability can be found online at ROBERT LARSEN NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED UMD campus in 2014. https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/data/i NOAH MIWA WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. The medical program at UMD is ndex.jsp. among the largest educational sites, MANAGING EDITOR Member of Minnesota American IndianChamber of Commerce and CAT WHIPPLE the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Circulation: 10,000 along with the University of Oklahoma, Additional COVID-19 information: in preparing AIAN students to become https://www.health.state.mn.us/dis- THE CIRCLE ADVISORY BOARD: DAVID BICE, BRENDA CHILD, KELLY DRUMMER, physicians and for other medical eases/coronavirus/situation.html. HEID ERDRICH, JIM LENFESTEY, LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK careers. 612-722-3686 • www.thecirclenews.org • [email protected]

4 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 5 NEWS 'Our hearts are heavy': COVID-19 deaths of tribal elders leave a void

BY DAN GUNDERSON/MPR “Embedded in Indigenous languages are unique worldviews that can and nton Treuer calls himself an should pollinate the garden we’re all try- Ojibwe language warrior. ing to harvest from, and help lead us in A He’s been working to pre- new and different directions,” he said. serve and share the language for two “That’s a gift we have for the world.” decades. He spends a lot of time learn- Boyd says she knew, as the pandemic ing from elders, and over the past year loomed, that COVID-19 was a signifi- COVID-19 has claimed many. cant threat because of health disparities “It’s been hard. We’ve simply had a that already existed among Native peo- lot of deaths,” said Treuer, whose work ple – disparities that put many at higher takes him to tribal communities in risk for serious COVID-19 illness. Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin While privacy concerns limit the infor- and Ontario. mation available about COVID-19 “And throughout those communities, deaths in tribal communities, Minnesota the COVID deaths have been pro- Department of Health data shows that found,” he said. “We identified 25 fluent more than 5,000 American Indians have [Ojibwe] speakers in Mille Lacs, and tested positive for COVID-19 in Steve Premo (center) works with Ojibwe elder Carol Nickaboine, along with Madeline Treuer about half a dozen of them died this (left) and son Seth Premo (right) in the preservation of the Ojibwe language. In the process, Minnesota – and more than 90 people year, most from COVID.” the elders tell traditional stories in the context of their own lives, while the story is captured have died from complications of the dis- Fifteen years ago, 145 members of the in both the Ojibwe language and in English. (Courtesy of Red Circle Agency.) ease. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe were fluent At times the losses, Boyd said, have in the language. As those numbers have the people of the Mille Lacs Band, guage community to think that the main felt overwhelming. dwindled, the impact of each loss com- where she is the tribal government’s value of a language is just that it’s like “We’re resilient, we’re staying strong, pounds. commissioner of administration. another pretty bird singing in the forest,” we have our cultural teachings that we That’s why the numbers of elders lost Some of the elders lost to COVID-19 said Treuer. rely on to process that grief. And we’re to the pandemic at Mille Lacs has been carried generations of knowledge about And that can make it easy to minimize showing up for one another, to the best devastating to Baabiitaw Boyd. language and culture. Boyd believes the loss of language and culture, he said. of our ability. But the effect is that we're “I don't think any of us were ready for transferring that knowledge to future But losing a single fluent speaker of a all very, very sad,” said Boyd. “And at what COVID had for us,” she said. generations is critical to the very survival rare language can threaten the social the same time, we feel a tremendous “We’re stunned. Our hearts are heavy.” of the Ojibwe people. and cultural fabric of a community, said amount of pressure to collect informa- Boyd has worked for about 15 years “I think there’s a tendency among peo- Treuer – and it leaves the world a poorer tion so that we have the intergenera- to preserve language and culture among ple who are not from a marginalized lan- place. tional transmission of knowledge.”

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FourSistersMarket_Circle_Ad_AB1.indd 1 4/21/21 4:04 PM 6 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org The knowledge carried by elders isn’t just about learning a language. The stories they carry are important to understanding culture and spirituality. “Every family has a story about their family, their place in the band, and a lot of stories have nuances to the culture, that when they're gone, they're gone,” said Steve Premo, an artist from Mille Lacs who has illustrated many Ojibwe language books. “You can’t get them back again, the stories that they take with them. It’s so hard to think about all the knowledge that they take with them.” The threat of COVID-19 to elders served as a turning point for Boyd, who has been studying under those elders for 15 years. To protect them, and keep them isolated, she and two other Baabiitaw Boyd has worked for about 15 younger members of the Mille Lacs years to preserve language and culture Band took on new roles during the pan- among the people of the Mille Lacs Band. demic, leading funerals and other spiritual ceremonies. Boyd and Treuer say while many tribes “It’s terrifying to be responsible for have made great progress in preserving somebody’s spiritual well-being, when cultural knowledge and language, much you’re not really even sure if you’re well work remains. enough, or practiced enough,” said “Its best to classify the Ojibwe revital- Boyd. She expected to some day to take ization efforts as emerging,” said Treuer. on that role, but not while her teachers “As much progress as we’ve made, we’re We are a were still alive. not full circle yet, with a thriving and “I don’t even have the right word for growing base of speakers that will con- the sadness, and the overwhelming feel- tinue to scale up and grow without ings that came with that,” she recalled. major interventions.” In some communities, such cere- There are expanding efforts to create monies have always been led by the language immersion schools in many remaining first language speakers. tribal communities, but those initiatives During that pandemic, that was no are limited by a shortage of trained longer possible. teachers. “We’ve had an unbelievable number “Our goal is to move revitalization to of funerals this year,” said Treuer, who a place where people will effortlessly be has conducted funerals in tribal com- able to speak and understand Ojibwe munities across the region. “And we’ve and read it, and live from an authentic also seen a new generation of young, place with Ojibwe,” said Boyd. emerging language- and culture-keepers In addition to the expanded role for step up. And I think COVID provided this younger generation of leaders, the an inflection point that catalyzed their pandemic brought changes that might growth and development.” have a long-term impact on language for Treuer himself has had to adjust his and culture preservation. For Treuer, good. language research to protect elders. And it’s helped incorporate technology in he's lost research subjects who he calls new and beneficial ways. dear friends. “Some of the elders who are a little “It’s been rearranging everybody’s skeptical about, you know, ‘I don't world in a lot of different ways. But yes, know, if we should be using a computer I’ve felt this as a personal loss,” he said. to do a storytelling thing,’ they were like, “And I’ve also felt this as a community ‘Hook it up, let’s go, I want to talk to stress.” some people,’” he recalled. Treuer thinks often about his longtime “And I think that helped us forge and mentor and friend, Red Lake spiritual strengthen community at a time when leader Eugene Stillday, who died of we were being physically separated from COVID-19 last year at 89, and called one another.” him by his Native name, Waagosh. Treuer has finished two language “I’m sure, he would be saying, ‘Well, books during the pandemic, and remote Waagosh, get up and get out there and work continued among many people get something done and keep going, you working to create an Ojibwe Rosetta know, I’m counting on you,’” said Stone language course. He said he Find out how we are diﬀerent. Treuer. thinks technology can help break down Boyd, too, thinks about what those barriers of space and time for teaching sunrisebanks.com elders who are gone would want – and Native language and culture to a new she knows they would expect resilience generation. in the face of tragedy. “We can be ancient and modern, all “It’s a loss, and we suffer that loss at the same time,” he said. “And I feel together when we lose a fluent speaker,” like, you know, the stresses and tests Member FDIC she said. “But we focus on what we have, we’ve had with COVID have catalyzed and we try to stay in a place of gratitude our efforts.” about that.” http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 7 “Covid-19 still infecting” continued from cover With similar progress reported of the state’s eligible population. COVID-19 cases have now been determined nursing homes were in across the nation, the Centers for The state has expanded sites for get- traced to protests in Brooklyn Center financial trouble before the pandemic Disease Control and Prevention ting vaccinations, including locations following the policy shooting of hit in the Upper Midwest. Tu-Uyen (CDC) issued new guidelines in late at the Mall of America and State Daunte Wright on April 11. Tran, a senior writer for the Fed, said April for going about activities out- Fairgrounds in the Twin Cities metro This outbreak followed a week on costs for providing nursing home care doors. Masks are no longer required area to reach high school students nightly protests in the Minneapolis keep rising and will have increased outdoors unless in confined areas with before spring-time proms and gradu- suburb. Of the 22 cases linked to the substantially with the pandemic. others who may not be vaccinated or ations. civil unrest, 11 involved demonstrators Nursing home beds are disappearing may be spreaders of the virus. A state health spokesman said and 11 involved law enforcement per- as many such homes providing hous- Athletic events are returning to more Minnesota’s tribal nations are ahead sonnel. ing and care for elders are failing. “normal” activity, often with limited of the general public in getting mem- Kris Ehresmann, director of infec- In Minnesota, he wrote, the median seating capacity. Other groups are bers vaccinated. At the same time, tious disease control for MDH, said daily rate of a shared room at a nurs- planning events that will also require however, and estimated 78 percent of anyone who may have been infected ing home was $363 compared to a $33 cautious social distancing. At the same Minnesota’s Native population lives at the protests should get tested, self- median hourly cost for a home health time, a MDH spokesman said on off reservations and tribal lands. quarantine and watch for possible aide who may work a few hours each April 30 that a “common sense” In short, as April gives way to May, symptoms. day. approach to more activity outdoors is numbers are looking up in Minnesota Other ongoing problems associated COVID fighting progress notwith- this: “If you can breathe other people’s even as the threat lingers. One day’s with COVID-19 will also likely linger standing, impacts from the coron- air, wear a mask. Keep a safe distance.” good news is often challenged by in Minnesota and impact the Native avirus crisis will be long lasting. State health officials are still worried seemingly conflicting events the next communities. about more infectious variant strains day. In early April, the Minnesota Information on the COVID-19 sit- that are widespread in Minnesota, Elders, and especially those living in Hospital Association reported many uation in Minnesota can be found at such as the so-called “UK variant.” long-term care facilities, have been the of its healthcare facilities were strug- https://www.health.state.mn.us/dis- The three vaccines now available in most likely to have severe bouts with gling financially in 2018-2019 before eases/coronavirus/situation.html Minnesota are known to limit the the virus and lose their lives. This the pandemic high. and severity of the virus if one does group is now highly vaccinated. At the On a more positive note, Gov. Tim https://www.health.state.mn.us/dis- become infected even after receiving same time, a first grade student at Walz announced on April 15 that eases/coronavirus/stats/covid- the vaccine. Marshall, in southwestern Minnesota, Minnesota had received $135 million weekly17.pdf. More than 2.5 million Minnesotans died of the virus on April 25. The new in federal relief funds to support child The Minneapolis Fed report on had received at least one dose of vac- variant strain of the virus is hitting care through support for child care nursing homes can be found at cine by the end of April, and 1.9 mil- younger people. providers and low-income families https://www.minneapolisfed.org/art lion had completed the one-dose Minnesota still experiences turmoil financially harmed by the pandemic. icle/2021/pandemic-renews-fear-of- (Johnson & Johnson) or two-dose that brings people out of homes and And at month’s end, the nursing-home-closures-in-ninth-dis- (Pfizer or Moderna) forms of the vac- onto the streets. Minnesota news Minneapolis Federal Research Bank trict. cination. That represents 57 percent media reported April 30 that 22 issued a report (cited below) that

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8 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org “Keeping the peace” continued from cover “We need to mediate problems for victims’ families; de-escalate problems in the community.” Pollard said his group and the other six organizations are “boots on the ground” service providers. “We were on the ground before the trial. We will always be there,” he said. Other organizations in the community patrols include A Mother’s Love, Center for Multicultural Mediation, C.E.O. (Change Equals Opportunity), and Restoration Inc. NACDI officials were not available for comment at the time of this writing. Pollard, however, said the partnering groups have mediation assistance for their communities, have job training arrangements, and help provide information for people to access programs and find help for various needs. Not everything that impacts communities within Minneapolis draws attention like the Chauvin trial. But Pollard said families and communities need help even when hurtful events do not make the news. There is always something causing pain, he said. A lot of it has to do with unequal access to livable, sus- tainable jobs, he said. That has been made worse for poor, marginalized people during the COVID-19 pandemic. People in general and especially young people need information about opportunities and where to get Top: CeCe Connery and her daughter Olivia watch the verdict together on a phone in Minneapolis. (Photo by Brandon training, he said. To avoid problems common in many Bell/Getty Images.) communities, “we need career training, not job train- Right: Derek Chauvin reacts to the guilty verdict in the death ing,” he said. of Georgo Floyd. Communities face all sorts of violence and crimes where opportunities are scarce, he said. As a result, service and neighborhood groups need to be sources Patrols will be used to respond to critical incidences of information for finding opportunities for individ- within their communities of expertise, she said. They uals as well as communities. may be needed to assist communities in preparing for OVP’s Cotton said her office is maintaining its rela- upcoming trials such as officer involved shootings. tionships with the community patrol organizations, And, she said, they may be used to support community and not only for sensational events like the recent trial. understanding of COVID-19 resources as well.

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 9 P ROFILES: N ATIVE A MERICANS IN S PORTS – BY D AN N INHAM Lexus Eagle Chasing comes up big for the Uof MN-Morris Cougars exus Eagle Chasing was a 5-8, junior guard on the University L of Minnesota-Morris basketball team this past season. She is enrolled with the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe. Lexus was named to the First-Team UMAC (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) All-Conference, finishing second overall in points per game with 17.3. She was also selected to the UMAC All-Defensive Team leading the UMAC in steals averaging 2.7 steals per game. Out of 10 games she reached dou- ble figures nine times, with four of those times being in the 20’s. She was also named Heartland Orthopedics Cougar Athlete of the Week. “EC” is Lexus’ nickname at UMM. “In EC's first two seasons with us, we had seniors both seasons who were really our leaders and who we counted on in big spots,” said Tim Grove, head women’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota-Morris. “Coming into this past season, I told her that she is now our best player and Lexus Eagle Chasing was named to the First-Team UMAC (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) All-Conference, finishing second overall in that she was the one who needed to points per game with 17.3. She was also selected to the UMAC All-Defensive Team leading the UMAC in steals averaging 2.7 steals per game. come up big in those big moments for (Photo by Nora Lund.) us. I challenged her to play her best against the top teams in our league, “EC has consistently shown the drive to continue to improve as a player, and ior, her coach allowed her to start and knowing she would be at the top of their and willingness to work on her game I have no doubt she will. Big things are all her hard work came to light.” scouting reports and she did just that,” and to improve her individual skills,” still ahead of her here at the University “Since Lexus started playing sports, said Grove. said Grove. “I have challenged her again of Minnesota Morris!” we noticed she began to accumulate “My parents have also been a positive fans,” said mom Lourdes Parker. “It influence on me as an athlete for my started with softball. Parents would entire life,” said Lexus. “They’re my come up to us and praise her. They biggest supporters and number one fans. praised her on her speed and how good They give me great advice on what I she was.” need to work on to better myself.” “Not only has basketball showcased James Eagle Chasing, Lexus’ dad, said her talent and competitiveness but it of his daughter: “As a family, we would has showcased her other qualities,” said walk or run this mile long trail. She Lourdes. “She has displayed compassion always stayed in the front and if anybody for her team and other teams. Her drive, got close to her, she would start to run and determination is seen on and off so no one could pass her. As she grew the court. She once spent the entire older, we all started to realize that her summer focused on her three pointers ability and talent was the gifted type. and would shoot 300 3-pointers a day.” She naturally was better at sports than “I’m currently taking this spring sea- most girls her age.” son off because I injured my right elbow Lexus believed she would get the during practice,” said Lexus. “I am tak- opportunity to play varsity as an under- ing the time needed to heal so I don’t class player. The time didn’t happen as further injury myself.” she wanted and chose to transfer. The “This off-season I am going to improve change was for the better. all areas of my game,” said Lexus. “I “Lexus changed schools after her soph- plan on getting in the gym every day and omore year, thinking she would have a I’m fortunate enough to be able to play better chance of being a starter in bas- for two more years. I’m staying in Morris ketball,” said James. “Unfortunately, most of the summer so I will be able to she had a substitute role during her jun- get in the gym as much as possible.” ior year. She knew that time was run- “My goals for next season are to lead ning out to show people what she could my team to a championship title,” said really do as a basketball player, which Lexus. made her practice even more. As a sen-

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10 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org Chauvin guilty of murder, manslaughter in George Floyd's killing

BY JON COLLINS, RIHAM FESHIR, prosecution, called the convictions BRANDT WILLIAMS & MATT SEPIC/MPR “accountability, which is the first step towards justice.” Hennepin County jury on He praised the Floyd family for showing April 20th found ex- “grace and class and courage” saying AMinneapolis police officer they’ve “had to relive again and again the Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and worst day of their lives, when they lost their manslaughter in the killing of George brother, their father, their friend.” The fam- Floyd. ily in March settled a wrongful death law- In one of the most consequential verdicts suit with the city for $27 million. in Minnesota history, Chauvin was con- “America, let’s frame this moment as a victed on all counts, including second- moment where we finally are getting close degree unintentional murder, third-degree to living up to our Declaration of murder and second-degree manslaughter Independence, that we hold these truths in Floyd’s killing last May. to be self-evident that all men are created Chauvin was led away in handcuffs after equally,” Floyd family attorney Ben Crump the verdicts were read. Sentencing is said following the verdict. expected in about eight weeks. “That means all of us,” he added. “That Chauvin was one of several officers called means Black people. That means Hispanic to a south Minneapolis street corner May people, that means Native people. That 25 on a report of a man allegedly using a means Asian people. That means all of us, counterfeit $20 to buy cigarettes at a local America.” store. He arrived to find other officers Tensions remained high in the Twin struggling to arrest Floyd and get him in Cities and across the country during the a squad car as Floyd pleaded that he was trial and the jury’s deliberations. claustrophobic. Floyd’s killing sparked worldwide outrage The encounter turned fatal as officers when the video of the police subduing him pulled Floyd to the ground to subdue him went viral on social media, driving peaceful during the arrest. mass demonstrations that sometimes Bystander video captured Chauvin with spasmed into violence. his knee pressed against Floyd’s neck for The image of a white police officer who more than nine minutes as the man lay appeared indifferent to the suffering of a pinned to the street, handcuffed and face Black man under his knee begging for down, pleading that he couldn’t breathe mercy made race an inescapable part of while people shouted from the curb that the story. Floyd was dying. Philonise Floyd, George’s brother, could Weeks of trial testimony revolved around be seen praying in court, according to the a basic question: Who or what was respon- media pool reporter. “I was just praying sible for Floyd’s death? The defense they would find him guilty,” he said later. pointed to Floyd’s health conditions and “As an African American, we usually never the drugs in his system. The prosecution get justice.” put the blame on Chauvin’s actions and Attorney and longtime civil rights activist his knee on Floyd’s neck. Nekima Levy Armstrong told MPR News Chauvin and three other officers were that Chauvin’s convictions should be cel- fired over the incident. The other officers ebrated. “It is a moment that allows us to have been charged with aiding and abet- breathe and feel like we stood right by ting. They’re expected to go on trial this George Floyd.” summer. State and local leaders appealed for calm The presumptive sentence for second- prior to the verdict, deploying National degree murder in the state of Minnesota Guard troops and bringing state troopers is 12 years. It’s the same for third-degree from Nebraska and Ohio to supplement murder. The presumptive sentence for sec- an already historically large law enforce- ond-degree manslaughter is four years. ment presence. With each count, though, prosecutors have asked Judge Peter Cahill to consider He betrayed the badge aggravating factors when sentencing In closing arguments, prosecutors Chauvin. painted the ex-officer as a cop who disre- Gov. Tim Walz called the verdicts “an garded his training, his department’s use important step forward for justice in of force rules and Floyd’s suffering. “What Minnesota. The trial is over, but our work the defendant did was not policing. What has only begun.” the defendant did was an assault,” prose- Minnesota must work to rebuild confi- cutor Steve Schleicher told jurors. “He dence between police and communities of betrayed the badge.” color. “Too many Black people have lost – Hennepin County Medical Examiner and continue to lose – their lives at the Andrew Baker ruled Floyd’s death a homi- hands of law enforcement in our state,” he cide last year, saying Floyd went into car- added in an apparent reference to the diopulmonary arrest as then-officer recent killing of Daunte Wright by a Chauvin kept his knee pressed on the neck Brooklyn Center officer. of the prone, handcuffed man. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office oversaw Chauvin’s – CHAUVIN TRIAL CONTINUED ON PG 14 –

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 11 ARTS Powwow story for children will dance into your heart

BY DEBORAH LOCKE grandmother whispers: “Listen to the drum, the heartbeat of Aki (Mother Earth). You are dancing for the ances- he young Ojibwe girl, Josie, tors and all the people that you see.” wants more than anything to The story has a ring of truth because T dance for the first time at the author Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle summer powwow. This sweet picture Mountain Ojibwe) based the book on book, “Josie Dances,” explains the way her own daughter’s first powwow dance. Josie’s aunty, grandmother and mother Artist Angela Erdrich (Turtle create her powwow outfit while Josie Mountain Ojibwe) is a pediatrician and practices the shawl dance. started painting with watercolors in high Persistence and belief pay off. That school. Her illustrations are rich with summer day, Josie steps into the dance detail, familiarity and nuance. Take a arena and is broadly welcomed by her look at that arena director and you’ll people. She swirls and almost seems to agree that he looks exactly right, from fly, a new and graceful participant at the his boots to his beaded vest to his hat. powwow under the proud gaze of the The illustration of Josie about to tuck family that loves her. into an Indian taco will nudge your I have a great fondness for beautifully appetite. In one stunning depiction, illustrated children’s books. Some of the Grandma Greatwalker sleeps beneath pictures from books in recent years are her star quilt, and we see the objects of so striking that they could stand alone her dreams – a family of winged and as a framed wall hanging. This is one of four-legged creatures who will help those books. Grandma determine Josie’s Indian Also, I have a fondness for good story name. telling that teaches American Indian If you don’t have a child to read this culture and history with its emphasis book with, borrow one. Go see your on strong families, respect for all, caring niece or your cousin or the neighbor. and preserving natural resources, and Ask the kids to put down their phones the handing down of tradition. families. For those readers who remem- The book is a good general introduc- and prepare to be dazzled. Let them hear “Josie Dances” hits those marks for ber their first dance outfit and first pow- tion to powwows for children, showing and see and imagine how Josie learns excellence as a story that has played out wow arena, expect a triggering of sweet them that hand-crafted clothes require to dance. countless times in American Indian memories. diligence and work, that when families work toward a common goal, good “Josie Dances” by Denise Lajimodiere things happen and that the best parts and Angela Erdrich is published by the of Ojibwe culture remain meaningful Minnesota Historical Society Press. It and even fun. When Josie’s Indian will be available in May, 2021 and is name is spoken from the dance arena, ideal for children age 3-7. people line up to shake her hand. Her

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12 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org Story of Ho Chunk Congresswoman inspires and entertains

BY DEBORAH LOCKE

hile still a little girl, Sharice Davids (Ho Chunk) raced through the house doing high W kicks and air punches, just like Bruce Lee, her hero. She even wore a black belt. Later in college, she trained to be a pro-mixed martial arts fighter. As an adult, Sharice took her competitive spirit to a place where not many American Indians ever find a place: the United States Congress. The chatty and bright daughter of a single mother showed all the doubters a thing or two by setting goals and not letting defeat discourage her. In 2019, she was sworn in as U.S. Representative from Kansas's 3rd congressional district. “Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman” (Harper Publishing) is a charming and into trouble because she talks all the time. She talks so night Davids won by a wide margin, walked into a ball- inspiring picture book with a story to entertain readers much that a teacher made her go into the hall to finish room and joined her mom on a stage where they lifted of all ages and genders. It’s pretty rare when an individual her work because it was the only place where she couldn’t their arms. is presented so artfully in a children’s book that they talk. So the little girl talked with everyone who walked The book includes a profile of the Ho-Chunk Nation impress the heck out of an adult reader. But that’s what by. “I discovered that the best way to learn about people of Wisconsin, and a description of the Ho-Chunk warrior happened. I forgot I was reading a book aimed at a second is to listen to them,” she wrote. Her mother was a 20-year tradition. It is nicely illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig grader and sat up a little straighter, intrigued by the adven- U.S. Army member who rose to the rank of Sergeant Pawis-Steckley. tures and life choices of this admirable woman. First Class. The two moved often, to Germany, Kansas Overall, it leaves you with hope that a small slip of a That’s the thing about really good children’s books: they and Missouri. The outgoing little girl made friends wher- woman can pack a powerful punch if necessary, and walk contain the same elements of a well-written book for ever she went. ahead into a room where few American Indians have adults. Truth. Engaging characters. A story arc. A few life The story shows the way hard work pays off as Davids entered. It makes you think that more women can do this, lessons. Well-written words. Add this to the mix: joy. You works multiple jobs to pay college tuition, learns martial and it makes you know that more woman should do this. can’t help but feel at least uplifted after reading about arts, participates in martial arts fights, and ultimately ends Sharice Davids’ unflinching desire to help people improve up at Cornell University Law School. After a stint in a “Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a their lives. She is the essence of a public servant, and big law firm, she directed community and economic devel- Congresswoman” was written by Sharice Davids with Kansas is lucky to have her in Congress. So are we. opment at South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. That Nancy K. Mays. It was illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig The story opens with a brief description of election led to a job with the Obama administration which led to Pawis-Steckley, and will be available in June, 2021. It night followed by Davids’ childhood years. She is a nat- a decision to run for Congress. The naysayers lined up to is published by HarpersChildren, and lists for $17.99. urally outgoing little girl with a gift for gab that gets her shake their heads and doubt. Didn’t matter. On election

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 13 – CHAUVIN TRIAL CONTINUED FROM 11 – for killing someone on duty, and it was a Black man who fatally shot a white woman. Defense attorney Eric Nelson worked Mohamed Noor was found guilty in to sow doubt in the jurors’ minds as he 2019 of murder and manslaughter in the recounted Chauvin’s actions and Floyd’s killing of 911 caller Justine Ruszczyk in health problems, including compromised Minneapolis. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 arteries and an enlarged heart, and the years. drugs in his system. Two other law enforcement officers were He suggested that Chauvin’s concern found not guilty in on-duty killings. about the tensions with bystanders watching Floyd’s arrest distracted There is a man being killed Chauvin and kept him from rendering Between the officer body cameras, wit- CPR as Floyd lost consciousness. ness videos and footage from municipal Prosecutors pushed back, noting that and security cameras at Chicago Avenue despite their panic at what was happen- and 38th Street, Floyd’s killing was perhaps ing to Floyd, the half dozen or so the most documented killing by a police bystanders, including several teens and officer in history. Screengrab of Court TV retakers and visitors hold space at George Floyd Square, after a 9-year-old girl, obeyed police com- closing arguments in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial. (Nicole Neri for MPR News.) Video of Floyd pleading with officers mands not to interfere. and his awful stillness after losing con- Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell emphasized Blue wall falls down, and putting your knee on the neck sciousness were broadcast to a live audience that Chauvin and the officers were in Nelson argued over and again that for that amount of time – it’s just uncalled around the world at points during the trial. complete control of the situation. “He Chauvin was just doing his job to subdue for,” Zimmerman said. “I saw no reason For the people who stood on the curb had the bullets, the guns, the Mace that a suspect within the bounds of why the officers felt they were in danger, that day outside Cup Foods, however, reliv- he threatened bystanders with,” Minneapolis police policy and training. if that’s what they felt, and that’s what they ing the agony of those minutes was at times Blackwell told jurors. “He had the But that argument took repeated hits dur- would have to feel to be able to use that unbearable. Several broke down in tears backup. He had the badge – all of it.” ing the trial from a line of officers, includ- kind of force.” testifying during the trial. They spoke of The defense also urged jurors not to ing Chauvin’s bosses. Chief Medaria Arradondo testified feeling angry and powerless as they focus on the nine-plus minutes that Minneapolis Police Department trainers that once Floyd stopped resisting and watched Chauvin press his knee into Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck but said they’ve never trained the knee-on-neck then stopped responding, “to continue Floyd’s neck. to think about the prior 17 minutes as technique. The head of the homicide unit to apply that level of force to a person, Off-duty Minneapolis firefighter officers struggled to get Floyd to comply testified the use of force officers used on proned out, handcuffed behind their Genevieve Hansen repeatedly urged the with orders and get in the back of the Floyd was “totally unnecessary.” Lt. back, that in no way shape or form is officers to let her provide medical attention squad car as Floyd resisted, saying he Richard Zimmerman told jurors that after anything that is by policy. It’s not part to Floyd after coming upon the scene in was claustrophobic. reviewing the body camera footage of the of our training, and it is certainly not south Minneapolis as she walked home. “Human behavior is unpredictable, fatal encounter with Floyd, he concluded part of our ethics or values.” She told the court she felt helpless and nobody knows it better than a police the officers went too far. These were extraordinary moments. because “there is a man being killed” and officer,” Nelson told jurors. “Pulling him down to the ground, face Police often rally around fellow officers in other circumstances in her job, “I accused of killing people on the job. The would’ve been able to provide medical reluctance of officers to speak out against attention to the best of my abilities, and another officer is often called the “blue this human was denied that right.” wall of silence.” Darnella Frazier, whose video of Chauvin Not this time. pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck sparked Chauvin declined to testify in his own worldwide outrage when it went viral defense, but he did leave a clue to his mind- online, spoke of Floyd’s obvious terror. set at the scene. Prosecutors played footage “I heard George Floyd say, ‘I can’t during the trial from Chauvin’s body cam- breathe, please get off of me. I can’t era showing a man at the scene criticizing breathe.’ He cried for his mom. He was in the officer afterward for the way he pain, and it was like he knew it was over restrained Floyd. for him,” she told the court. “He was ter- “That’s one person’s opinion,” Chauvin rified, he was suffering. This was a cry for can be heard responding to the man on help.” the video. “We gotta put force, gotta con- Another teen who took video told the trol this guy because he’s a sizable guy. court that she felt like she’d failed Floyd Looks like he’s probably on something.” because she couldn’t intervene. “I felt like They were the only remarks heard during there wasn’t anything I could as a the trial from an officer in an MPD uni- bystander.” form justifying the level of force used Donald Williams, one of the most vocal against Floyd. of the bystanders who admonished Following the convictions, experts Chauvin last May, became emotional on expressed hope that good officers in the stand, wiping away tears as he heard Minneapolis and around the country his voice when the prosecution played would feel emboldened to call out the bad audio of the 911 call. “He just pretty much acts of fellow officers. just killed this guy that wasn’t resisting “We hope that this is an inflection point. arrest,” he says on the audio, referring to This is something that is different in that “officer 987,” Chauvin’s badge number. police will be held accountable more readily Another bystander also fell to tears as he going into the future,” said Mark Osler, testified how he tried to de-escalate the con- professor at the University of St. Thomas. frontation with Chauvin and the officers To have high-ranking officials step out as he begged Floyd to get in the squad car. say Chauvin’s knee maneuver “wasn’t con- Charles McMillian, 61, can be heard on sistent with training, and it was a crime. video recorded by other bystanders telling That’s something that we haven’t seen in Floyd to get in the car and that he “can’t the past and hopefully that we will see in win” as Floyd pleads the officers not to put the future going forward.” him in the back of the squad because he’s Before Chauvin, only one police officer claustrophobic. in Minnesota history had been convicted Floyd responds: “I’m not trying to win.”

14 May 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org IT AIN’T EASY BEING INDIAN – BY RICEY WILD sjdfzxjmeAipunbjm/dpn

daily racist hate and still walk proud. After she stopped crying that her unfeel- Turtle Island and at the time cried and See now? Collectively WE have made ing mother left her in such an abhorrent began to understand it as such. It really it this far and no matter the blood place she played with the other kids, not hurt and she was shaken to the core. trauma and resilience it can still cause getting that she was brown and at first, Little Ricey did become older and spiritual exhaustion. they did not either. walked around with a silent shriek at I’m tired of telling pink people they Little Ricey was puzzled when in 1st the attempted annihilation or her own suck in maple-sugary terms. grade she no longer had the same people, the ones who sacrificed every- I feel like I am gently patting some friends, if any at all, so she kept to her- thing and themselves so their descen- pinks on their back for not being as self but wondered why? Well, while dents would still live upon our sacred racist as they used to be. That’s not far being indoctrinated in 2nd grade the Mother and dance to ancient songs. enough to say we made it. Last year did class watched a b/w movie in which sav- That is power. Power beyond our wake a lot of pinks up and they marched age, heathen Red Indians took out some scope of comprehension, but it is there. in solidarity with us. Now own it. pink land-grabbers and squatters. Little I feel them, my ancestral forebears a This rabbit hole is deep. I want to cuss, Ricey, as the sole Indian kid in the room lot more now as I am, or feel really jump up and down with smoke coming saw her classmates literally turn around alone. It is a comfort to me that they are out of my ears to make my point clear: in their chairs to openly gape and glare here to help me when I need it and they as a nation, vile and racist as it is, we at her. It was a social death sentence. always, always come through. Am I spe- “Well...we made it this far”, said my cannot continue the violent cycle that She did have a few friends who invited cial? Yes, we all are and when the time nephew, Jerone at intervals heading out has been set since the first European her over to play, but usually only once comes call upon your guides, angels, of the Cities. He was seven years old and immigrants showed up on Turtle after the parents saw her golden brown spirits, whomever you pray to. Do it we were on the way to a cabin vacay on Island’s eastern shores. Immigrants who skin and dark eyes. Little Ricey was a with your soul. It’s really all you have, Lake Winnibigosh in northern were allegedly seeking religious freedom, good child even if unconsciously accept- ennit? Minnesota and the car did not break which included genocide upon the ing of her demeaned role in society It is my friend Mark Anthony Rolo’s down while getting there. Clearly not a Indigenous people of this land. The enti- because she, at the time, did not know death day on the 30th of this month. I lot of confidence about his Gami’s pony, re “founding of” myth of the United of the powerful ancestors who made it loved him. I fought with Mark and a brown Volvo. For the record it got us States is ludicrous at best and soul- possible for her to be here at all. That traded barbs but he saw me, one of the all home too, but that’s not my point. wrenchingly tragic at the same time. is, until she wasn’t. few who have. Mark is the one who got “Well... we made it this far” is my At this juncture I must call upon Little Then she went to powwows where me first published in The Circle. He mantra for 2021 while still pondering Ricey who has very strong opinions most of the people looked like family. made me laugh and yell, so yes, I do how I personally made it this far, what about poopy people and things. She Little Ricey even went into the circle, miss him. I feel his love and affection with all the traumatic and physical dan- grew up in a loving home and was first careful to dance to the drum’s beat. She for his pupil. ger I’ve been in throughout my life. I exposed to hate in a kindergarten room belonged. Later in her education she See you next lifetime. now include all BIPOC who experience full of toys and pasty-skinned children. learned the true and factual history of

The City of Minneapolis Call for Art in Public Program announces a call for artists to Artists create artwork for Water Works

The intent to apply form is due June 2, 4 pm

The artwork will celebrate the histories, languages and vibrant cultures of Indigenous and Dakhota people and honor the two TO LEARN MORE nearby sacred Dakhota sites—Owámniyomnisi Contact [email protected] (St. Anthony Falls) for: and Wanagi Wita · A copy of the Call for Artists/Request for (Spirit Island) Qualiications. · A link to an optional online informational meeting on Thursday, May 13th, 4 pm. · Questions.

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats contact [email protected]. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626. Artists seeking technical and support putting their application together, contact Ann.Godfrey@ minneapolismn.gov. Para asistencia 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500 http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective May 2021 15 COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy

People who are pregnant can get the COVID-19 vaccine We know that pregnant people are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease compared to non-pregnant people.

Based on how the COVID-19 vaccines work in the body, medical researchers do not think that the vaccines are a risk for people who are pregnant. But, we do not have much data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people.

If you are pregnant, you can choose to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

You may want to talk with your health care provider to help you decide whether to get vaccinated, but it is not required.

People who want to have a baby one day can get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you.

We do not have any data to say that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.

There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any COVID-19 vaccine.

mn.gov/vaccine Minnesota Department of Health | health.mn.gov | 651-201-5000 | 625 Robert Street North PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975 Contact [email protected] to request an alternate format. 04/29/2021