NEWS FROM Attorney in running to become On language and legacy: Artist blends traditional A NATIVE U of MN’s first Native regent Wakan Tipi designs with contemporary styles AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE 40 YEARS OF SERVING THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

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Distance learning still a struggle for Native students COVID-19 vaccines: Native Americans say “bring it on” BY LEE EGERSTROM cination appointments. Among clinics receiving early s January came to a supplies of the vaccines was the close, greater sup- Native American Community A plies of COVID-19 Clinic (NACC) at 11213 vaccines were reaching Franklin Ave., Minneapolis. A and there were signs receptionist said Jan 29 that Native Minnesotans were NACC had reached its 65 and rolling up their sleeves to older patients and was starting receive the life-saving vaccina- to vaccinate people 55 and tions. older. State health officials were still In Northern Minnesota, the concerned about the slow pace Fond du Lac Band was sched- of receiving vaccine. Programs uling vaccinations for members are in place for getting supplies 52 and older although it to the most vulnerable, such as warned on its website that vac- front line workers, healthcare cine supplies are limited. providers and the elderly – espe- The cially those in long-term care announced to its members it facilities. would vaccinate resident indi- At the same time, there were viduals 45 and older in early BY LEE EGERSTROM positive signs that the vaccine February, and individuals 18 to is getting out of bottles and into 35 who have various health rban area students in younger various “hybrid” models of some in-person and arms. That was true in conditions. grades are finding their way back out of classroom, or distance learning, classes Minnesota’s tribal and urban Eligibility information is pro- U into school classrooms while edu- throughout Minnesota. Native communities. vided on the tribal websites. cators keep their fingers crossed that another State guidelines based on county infection Tribal clinics and hospitals State health officials have dis- surge in COVID-19 infections won’t push all rates, hospitalizations and death data steered connected through the federal tribution systems in place for students back into distance learning regimes. state officials and local school administrators Indian Health Service began the general public although vac- This is especially so for teachers and school on how to proceed with education models. administering the Pfizer- cine supplies are still insuffi- administrators who have Native American stu- Until recently, that meant most urban schools BioNTech and Moderna vac- cient. At the current pace, dents in their classes, said Joe Rice, executive were closed to in-person classes. cines to tribal leaders, Minnesotans and most director of the Nawayee Center School in The Anoka-Hennepin Schools District, the emergency workers and care- Americans are months away Minneapolis and the facilitator of the Phillips largest in the state covering suburban commu- givers more than a month ago. from inoculation. Indian Educators (PIE) professional education nities in Hennepin and Anoka counties, had Elsewhere, clinics and spe- On a state website, linked group. kindergarten through second graders return to cially established vaccination below, health officials said “Distance learning is the opposite of what schools in mid-January. Grades three through sites were providing inocula- Minnesota is receiving 60,000 really works for a lot of our students,” Rice five were to resume in school on Feb. 1. tions for health and emergency doses of vaccine per week. With said. Culturally geared education requires in- St. Paul Public Schools also chose to return workers, teachers and others a population of 5.6 million, the person relationships, active participation with kindergarten through grade two classrooms on who must be in contact with supply is only 1 percent of what others and faculty, and with Indigenous cul- Feb. 1, with grades three through five set to people in their work. Especially is needed. tures; and interdisciplinary work with curricula, return to schools on Feb. 16. vulnerable people in assisted “We encourage Minnesotans he said. Minneapolis schools used fresh COVID data living arrangements were also to remain patient as more vac- “Our students’ health – mental, physical, spir- from the Minnesota Department of Health placed in early vaccination cine arrives in the weeks and itual and emotional – is our biggest concern with Governor Walz’s “Safe Learning” guide- schedules. months ahead,” they said. and the area of our greatest need,” he said. lines to set reopening plans. Pre-kindergarten Minnesota established a lot- There was hope at month’s “This is largely because our culture is centered and kindergarten classes are to resume on Feb. tery system on Jan. 26 for peo- end more supplies will be com- on relationships and the science of relation- 8. Grades one and two return on Feb. 10, and ple 65 and older to schedule ing. Johnson & Johnson, ships.” Feb. 22 was set for the return of grades three vaccinations. More than a quar- another drug maker, was ready- The COVID-19 pandemic brought what had through five. Middle school and high school ter of Minnesotans (226,244) ing a COVID vaccine that been working for large numbers of Native classes will remain with distance learning for in that age group signed up that would be a single shot. The schools and others from various cultures to a the foreseeable future. first day. There are 919,000 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines screeching halt last spring. Schools were closed Minnesotans in that age group. require two shots. The Johnson and education shifted to distance learning and – CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 – Major healthcare providers, & Johnson vaccine has a longer such as large Bloomington- shelf life and doesn’t need to based HealthPartners, were be kept in a frozen state until 3 – Last Tango at the Red River 11 – Political Matters contacting seniors in the final being used.

10 – Native Americans in Sports 15 – It Ain’t Easy Being Indian days of January to schedule vac- – CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 – Health care can be expensive, especially as we age.

If you have trouble paying for your Medicare, you may be able to get help.

Medicare Savings Programs can help pay some health care costs, and the Extra Help program can cover some prescription drug costs.

Save money for yourself and for your tribe. Call Minnesota’s Senior LinkAge Line® to find out more.

mn.gov/senior-linkage-line/

2 February 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org ENVIRONMENT Last Tango at the Red River: Enbridge and pipelines

BY WINONA LADUKE change impact analysis, 3) no meaningful High Directional Drill and MDNR told the company that we impact assessment or treaty Enbridge wants to cross the rivers 69 did not envision approving any such t’s an amazing competition to be rights consideration, and 4) no plan B, or so times in northern Minnesota. That activities. That’s the current status.” she the last Tar Sands Pipeline. like no pipe. The environmental impact means dirty oil will move far. The wrote in an email on January 28. I Enbridge wants to win. It already statement is surely lacking. The Trump Mississippi gets crossed two times, the Enbridge’s Bobby Hahn wrote an opti- did. The last tar sands pipeline was administration did not even do an Red River, Little Red River, Clearwater, mistic note to the MPCA’s Melissa Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper, completed Environmental Impact Statement for Line Crow Wing Rivers get crossed – they Kuskie and all, on December 30: across Leech Lake, Red Lake and Fond 3, relying on the faulty one by the feed all the lakes. The Shell River gets “Enbridge is ready to discuss and can du Lac in northern Minnesota in 2015. Minnesota Department of Commerce. crossed four times. Remember that the have our experts available …Based on On January 21, newly elected President The legal holes are pretty big. Additionally, Kalamazoo River Spill lasted for l7 current Project schedule and consider- Biden cancelled the besieged KXL there’s a federal court appeal, filed by hours before the company noticed it. ing the necessary upfront time to pre- pipeline. The pipeline cannot meet a cli- Earth Justice, the same law firm which And that was not a remote river, like pare and finalize HDD plans, Enbridge mate test – in other words, you can’t filed the DAPL and Keystone cases. We the Willow. is hopeful to understand if these cross- shove 800,000 barrels a day of tars sands have a good shot in court. Rhetorical question: Who are you ing will be approved by 1/15. Enbridge oil through a pipe, burn it, and save the What Enbridge hopes is that, like the going to bet on, the pipe or the river? is also finalizing another the second planet. Nor can Line 3. Walz has com- Dakota Access Pipeline court case, the That’s some tricky stuff as we watch request package and we expect to submit mitted to a 2030 100% renewable elec- company will already be pushing oil rivers meander, and in places like Bad soon. This second requests will request tricity goal, but approved Line 3 – the through the pipe and they won’t have River, where the Mashkiziibii has eroded a response by 2/1 to be able to align equivalent of 50 new coal fired power to stop. That’s why they are rushing. the soil all around the pipe leaving it schedule in consideration of the Project plants in 2020. Well, that’s ridiculous. That’s why we are facing policemen and exposed. That’s a problem, and that’s restriction periods….” In the meantime, Enbridge is barreling DNR officials. what happened at the Yellowstone River Thus far, it appears that the MPCA ahead. Unloading more workers in the Being hasty means you make mistakes. in Montana. will not grant these permits, as Melissa north country. It’s a frenzy of wiindigo Take for instance, the cultural resource This is tricky stuff. It turns out that Kuskie responded to Enbridge’s Bobby action in Hubbard, Clearwater, Cass, assessment on this pipe. That was com- you can’t do a river crossing with the Hahn: “At this time, we are unable to Wadena, Aitken and Carleton Counties. pleted by Fond du Lac, under contract, High Directional Drill, or HDD, with authorize HDD during winter condi- There have been fifty arrests, thousands and rushed. There is no cultural ice on the river. That means, no drill till tions, due to concerns regarding the abil- of people gathering, and hundreds clos- resource monitor out ahead of this pipe, spring. Enbridge wants to cross the ity to promptly and effectively respond ing down company worksites in remote as the permit requires. Instead, Tania rivers now. By December 11, the com- to any potential inadvertent release dur- areas of Aitken, Hubbard and Cass Aubid and I found a stake in the middle pany had applied for permit waivers to ing winter conditions….” Counties, not to mention the shut down of our waaginoogan, our lodge, as it sat cross the Red River, the Clearwater,. Fingers crossed. at Fond Du Lac worksites in late on the banks of the Mississippi. While Red Lake River, and Middle River, January. we asked for the cultural monitor, none despite the permit restrictions. Poverty and Pipelines The numbers are rising. The fact is appeared, and no one from Fond du Lac Correspondence from the Minnesota If you say the lie enough times, is it that Enbridge has the police, the money or Enbridge has ever spoken to the two Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) true? Well, no. Line 3 was a bad idea and the pipes, but we have the people – women who built that lodge. Helen Waquiu found: “the 401 Cert seven years ago and it is a worse idea tens of thousands of water protectors, The Tribal Historic Preservation offi- stipulates that Enbridge must not con- now. Enbridge, however, is busy blan- and they are showing up across the cer from White Earth, Jaime Arsenault duct HDD stream crossing construction keting media with advertisements por- north and in major rallies throughout was told she would be arrested if she activities at streams covered with ice, traying themselves as a family-friendly, the state. With the cancellation of came to the site, and in her report she unless that activity has been pre- Indigenous-loving company. They’ve Keystone, the world is looking at the expressed outrage at the lack of trans- approved by both MPCA and MDNR really pulled out all stops, including indi- single largest tar sands pipeline proposal parency, consultation, and the destruc- [MN Dept of Natural Resources]. To rectly providing advice to northern in the world, and opposition is mount- tion of cultural properties. There are date, we have not approved any such newspaper publishers, discouraging arti- ing. After all, being the Last Tars Sands many more cultural sites, both from the crossings. Enbridge did submit a request cles which might question the logic and Pipeline doesn’t get you a tiara from ancients and the present peoples, near to both MPCA and MDNR, asking us practices of this pipeline. Mother Earth. the , Willow River and to allow it at certain ice-covered streams; Savannah Portage – all of those places however, following that request, MPCA – LAST TANGO CONTINUED ON P 13 – What’s the Rush? were recorded hundreds of years ago on Pipelines are being cancelled, and the Midewiwin scrolls. fairy dust is wearing off. On March 23, Being hasty means that people get Enbridge will face the Ojibwe, the state killed, like Jorge Villenueva who was THE CIRCLE SPONSORS and citizens groups in Minnesota Court crushed by a forklift at the Hill City con- of Appeals. That will likely overturn the struction site. Being hasty means you permits for Line 3. Donald Trump is start throwing in pipe as fast as you can, gone and Biden is in. That’s a whole although that pipe may be corroding. other problem for Enbridge. The Courts At least, that’s what we saw on the are not in favor of pipeline projects, and Willow River, and we see in pipe yards Enbridge wants this pipeline operational all through out the north country. before the court shuts them down. In (https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11 2020, two more pipelines were can- 102020/pipeline-coating-keystone-xl) celled, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Put it this way, most of the pipes the Constitution Pipeline. Poof, three which Enbridge is putting in the ground gone. have been sitting out in pipe yards for On March 23, the White Earth and Red five years, getting turned over and Lake Nations, along with the Minnesota repainted with a special anti-corrosive. Department of Commerce, Honor the Cross our fingers. After all, the Keystone Earth and the Sierra Club, will seek to XL, a brand new pipeline, spilled overturn the route and certificate of need 383,000 gallons of oil into Lakota ter- the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision ritory because of anomalies and welds. (PUC) had approved. The basis: l) no spill New pipe is not as good as No pipe. analysis for Lake Superior, 2) no climate THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CIRCLE

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 3 NEWS St. Paul attorney in running to become UofMN’s first Native American regent

BY LEE EGERSTROM of Indigenous Nations with the Minnesota Center for Academic Excellence at the university. Brandon Alkire, a St. Paul He has remained connected in follow- attorney representing vari- ing years even while getting his law D.ous Native American and degree from Mitchell Hamline School family causes, is among candidates rec- of Law. ommended for election to the Along the way he was active with the University of Minnesota Board of University of Minnesota Indian Student Regents. Cultural Center and the UMN If elected by the Minnesota Legislature American Indian and Indigenous this year, Alkire would become the first Studies Workshop. He is also affiliated Native American to serve on the uni- with groups involved with Race Equity versity’s governing board in its 170-year and Strategic Leadership, the Minnesota history. Alkire is a citizen of the American Indian Bar Association and Standing Rock Sioux Nation. the National Native American Law A screening committee for the Student Association. Legislature, the Regent Candidate In filing his candidacy with the Advisory Council (RCAC), recom- Minnesota Legislature, Alkire told law- mended Alkire in January with two makers he has the experience and edu- other St. Paul residents to represent the cation to promote and support the Fourth Congressional District on the state’s Land Grant research and scien- 12-member Board of Regents. tific education university, a part of the It would be a great honor, Alkire said national system with special responsi- If elected, attorney D. Brandon Alkire would become the first Native to serve on the in an interview. At the same time, it is U of MN Board of Regents in its 170-year history, (Photo courtesy D. Brandon Alkire.) bilities for the general public dating back a “sorry failure” that no Native to President Lincoln. American has served in this capacity at Women (OVW) at the U.S. District were Karen Schanfield, a promi- “I have spent my life in service from the university that predates Minnesota Department of Justice. nent attorney who has assisted the uni- my time in the military (Navy) to my statehood. The university dates back to She said it is “shocking” that no Native versity in the past; and James many years of work and volunteering territorial days in 1851. American has served in a high university Farnsworth, a university senior student with marginalized groups,” he told the “No regent. No president or vice pres- capacity before. who has been a St. Paul neighborhood legislators. “The introduction of a ident. No chancellor. No one in a top A joint committee of the Minnesota business leader. Legislative directives Native American voice to the Regent leadership position,” he said. House and Senate will pair candidates call for a current student to also serve Board would be the first in Minnesota “Brandon would bring a lot of histor- down to one recommendation for expir- on the board. history. ical background, American Indian legal ing terms from four congressional dis- Alkire said in an interview that the “As a state, we celebrate many Native issues, and passion for underrepresented tricts by Feb. 28. The Board of Regents university should have strong candidates American ‘firsts,’ from the election of people to the university,” said Louise has 12 members serving staggered six- for regent positions. In his case, he said, the first Native American lieutenant Mattson, executive director of the year terms. The Legislature will elect he has recently stressed to legislators governor (Lt. Gov. ) to Division of Indian Work (DIW) in district and at-large Regents after that that the indigenous people of Minnesota the seating of the first Native American Minneapolis. process. should have “a seat, and a voice, at the State Supreme Court Justice (Associate Mattson works on a number of proj- Legislators, university backers and offi- table.” Justice Anne McKeig). ects involving courts and family legal cials have pushed for more diversity and The university is required to have an “With your support, there is an oppor- access for Native Americans with Alkire, inclusiveness in recent years. But that American Indian Advisory Board in tunity to make history again,” he wrote. director of Justice for Families. While doesn’t mean Alkire has an easy road place to advise the institution under His volunteer work encompasses a not exclusively for the Native commu- to the board. both federal and state statutes. What diverse range of interests although much nity, Justice for Families is supported Also recommended by RCAC in the that might look like is discretionary and of it deals with helping families, home- by the Office for Violence Against initial round to represent the Fourth is left to the particular school, he said. less, victims of abuse, the hungry and But the absence of such a board means the arts. Groups he has worked with or the university has been out of compli- collaborated with include the Minnesota THE CIRCLE is a 501(c)3 non-profit newspaper and is governed by ance with the laws for the past 20 years. Urban Indian Directors (MUID), First a board of directors from the American Indian community. That highlights what all marginalized Nations Kitchen, Family Violence communities experience, he said. “Out Coordinating Council, Domestic BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Circle is dedicated to presenting news from a Native American of sight, out of mind.” Fatality Review Team, National perspective, while granting an equal opportunity to community voices. CHAIR Such an American Indian Advisory Coalition on Domestic Violence and as The Circle is published monthly by The Circle Corporation, MELISSA BUFFALO Board would serve policy makers and a board member for the Minnesota PO Box 7506, 3045 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. VICE-CHAIR Editorials and articles are the sole responsibility of the authors, governing officials, he said. It would be AIDS Project. JOY PERSALL and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, attitude, or philosophy of different than the current programs and “I did run the (St. Paul) Art Crawl for TREASURER The Circle. The Circle does not endorse any product or service offices that are more student oriented a spell before COVID shut us down,” SHIRLEY SNEVE accepted as advertising, and reserves the right to reject any in helping individuals. he said. He is also part of the St. Paul advertising, material, or letters. The Circle encourages the submission SECRETARY “This would be different from any Art Collective. of Letters to the Editor, which must include the writer’s name and JANE STEFFEN address. Letters may be edited for language and length. office activities because of the breadth Alkire has also been an involved vol- BOARD MEMBERS and scope, per statutory language, of unteer with St. Vincent de Paul assis- ROBERT LARSEN NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED the advisory board,” he said. tance to the poor at the Basilica of St. NOAH MIWA WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. Alkire knows programs and projects Mary in Minneapolis, and with gay vet- that do serve the Native American com- eran organizations that advocate for the MANAGING EDITOR Member of Minnesota American IndianChamber of Commerce and CAT WHIPPLE the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Circulation: 10,000 munity at the university. He was active “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for military with Native programs when he was an service. THE CIRCLE ADVISORY BOARD: DAVID BICE, BRENDA CHILD, KELLY DRUMMER, undergraduate getting a Bachelor of Art He and his partner Anthony Mills HEID ERDRICH, JIM LENFESTEY, LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK degree in sociology at the university, said have three school-age sons ages 15, 7 612-722-3686 • www.thecirclenews.org • [email protected] Jillian Rowan, coordinator of the Circle and 6.

4 February 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org #/.4).5%34/02/4%#4/52 #/--5.)49"9/&&%2).'



http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 5 “Distance Learning” continued from cover

This won’t alter how Rice and his faculty of 13 teach- South Dakota as part of a Midwest School and project-oriented academic approach. ers reach students at Nawayee Center School, 2421 Transformation Project. Participating schools with The importance for this school year is great. There Bloomington Ave. S. in Minneapolis. The Center significant Native students include the Wichakini are no current plans for Minneapolis high school stu- School (Nawayee is an Ojibwe word for “the center”) Owayawa – Lakota Language Immersion Next at Fort dents to return to classes in the current school year, has 55 students in grades six through 12. Most are of Yates, in North Dakota; the Porcpine School in Rice said. And getting proper technology into the Dakota or Ojibwe origin. Porcupine, S.D.; and in Minnesota, the Prior Lake- homes and into the students’ hands is still a problem This still leaves older students distant from their Savage schools and Nawayee Center School. with many Native students. teachers and from one another, a problem for many Julene Oxton, the project’s transformation and devel- Education leaders from the state level on down to Native students who learn, grow and gain strength opment director, said the pandemic hit about midway the schools all warn the end of the COVID pandemic from cultural relationships, said Rice and Braden through the three-year program that is supported by and restrictions on in-person classes may not be com- Canfield, a social worker with the Indian Education the Bush Foundation. COVID restricted travel and ing to an end in the current school year. While infec- Department for Minneapolis Public Schools. caused other interruptions. EdVisions then turned to tion rates have been falling after the holiday season A subgroup of the Phillips Indian Educators, the schools for guidance on creative ways to circum- surges, new variants of the coronavirus from the UK Attendance Workgroup, coordinate on ways to con- vent problems surrounding distance learning and lack and Brazil have reached Minnesota and may be more nect Native students and keep them engaged with of contact between teachers and students. contagious that the original variety. their classes. It especially stresses the importance of “Educational disparities among communities and What’s more, the return to classrooms in the younger attendance that can become a problem when students families were obvious,” she said. EdVisions helped years isn’t mandatory for students and families. are taking classes on line or using electronic devices Center School get electronic devices to students who “Going back to school is an option. All families have and not in classrooms. needed them to take classes via cyberspace. the choice to go back or stay with distance learning,” Partners in this effort include Division of Indian Work, And this year, Oxton said, the program provided an said Minneapolis Public Schools’ Canfield. Migizi Communications, Little Earth, the MPS Indian $18,000 grant to Center School to equip the technol- Education Department, Hennepin County Library and ogy lab. Parents and students should continue to monitor the Hennepin County “Be At School” program. This is consistent with EdVisions’ mission in sup- breaking COVID and school news offered online by A big help is coming from a grant and program at porting schools to transform from an institutional, or local school districts. State information from EdVisions Inc., a Bloomington-based education non- industrial model of operations to a student centered, the Minnesota Department of Health that will profit group. With it, Center School is developing a tech- or student-driven learning environment, she said. shape school decisions can be found at nology lab that is essentially a broadcast studio in the It will also help teachers design and engage in trans- https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/ school. It will be used to make teaching and family con- formative education models such as better use of space, situation.html; tact easier for students and educators, and become a time, personnel, technology and standards to meet and Minnesota Department of Education, technology training program for students as well. the needs of students. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/about/plan. This could be a technological development that will Professional coaches from the education group also Information about the Phillips Indian Educators engage artistic students long after the pandemic and work with the participating schools’ faculty and admin- can be found at http://pieducators.com distance learning have passed, Rice said. istrators in designing and carrying out new approaches. and EdVisions Inc.’s work with Nawayee Center EdVisions is currently working on innovative proj- The EdVisions website shows how the Center School School is at https://edvisions.org/what-makes-learn- ects with 11 schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and could use the studio linkage with its student-centered ing-relevant.

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6 February 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org “Covid Vaccine” continued from cover

The Centers for Disease Control and Geographic distribution of participants by IHS region their clinic for an appointment, Prevention (CDC) says clinical trials In other data, the survey found that are underway or being planned for three 90 percent of participants unwilling to additional vaccines (AstraZeneca, get vaccinated still recognize COVID- Janssen and Novavax). With variants 19 as a serious disease, and 89 percent of COVID strains appearing around unwilling to receive the vaccine were the world and turning up in Minnesota, concerned about potential side effects. a serious race is underway to match vac- “This data will be important to all cine supplies with demand. organizations conducting COVID-19 CDC and state health officials have vaccine education efforts,” Echo-Hawk been concerned that Native Americans said in releasing the survey. “Native com- and people from other communities of munities have unique challenges and color may be reluctant to take the vac- needs that usually are not considered in cinations. Research shows this is the public health campaigns.” case in some states and especially within some Black communities. The UIHI study can be accessed at A new study by the Urban Indian https://www.uihi.org/projects/strength- Health Institute (UIHI) a tribal epi- ening-vaccine-efforts-in-indian-country. demiology center based in Seattle, has There was wide geographical diversity across participants, with a total of 863 zip codes found that 75 percent of Native across 46 U.S. states. Participants reported living in all IHS regions, with the greatest pro- Information on the vaccines them- portion from Portland Area (23%), Nashville Area (16%), and Billings Area (15%) (Figure 5). American and Alaskan Native people selves is available at are willing to receive the COVID-19 “The data indicates that most Native rates for Natives are 3.5 and 1.8 times https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- vaccine and 74 percent said getting vac- people willing to be vaccinated feel it is higher than for non-Hispanic Whites, ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html. cinated was their responsibility to their their responsibility to the health of their the institute noted. community. community,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, Among other findings from the sur- Minnesota Department of Health vac- A survey of the general U.S. popula- UIHI director. “This shows what moti- vey, 89 percent of participants want evi- cine and COVID information is avail- tion in October found 64 percent was vates our community when it comes to dence that the vaccine is safe for now able at willing to receive the vaccine. It should decision making.” and the long term, and 75 percent will- https://www.health.state.mn.us/dis- be noted, however, that much more Fear and distrust of government and ing to get vaccinated had concerns about eases/coronavirus/vaccine/index.html; information about the vaccines have medical systems still exists in Native potential side effects. become available since the national sur- communities, Echo-Hawk said. At the Given the remoteness of many tribal and an explainer, “Who’s Getting vey last fall. same time, Native communities have communities, and age and health of Vaccinated” is at The new UIHI survey was conducted much at stake with the current pan- many elders, the survey found what https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/whos- among various tribal affiliations in 46 demic. might have been suspected – 39 percent getting-vaccinated/index.jsp. states, including Minnesota. COVID-19 incidence and mortality of participants have trouble traveling to

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 7

P ROFILES: NATIVE AMERICANS IN SPORTS – BY DAN NINHAM Gaabi Boucha: Gaabimasiget in Warroad High School aabi Boucha is a sophomore “Gaabi was cast as a member of the at Warroad High School in Warriors team,” said movie producer G Warroad, MN. He is a three- John Montague. “His character, sport athlete in football, hockey, and Brendan, is a high school senior. It is a baseball. major role in the film. His grandfather, “My Anishinabe name is Gaabimasiget Henry Boucha, will be featured as a and translates to The Sun Rises Each Warriors legend in a cameo role.” Day,” said Boucha. “I’m Atik (Elk) Clan “The production was suspended due and an enrolled member of the to the COVID surge and restrictions. Northwest Angle Band #37 in Ontario.” Filming will resume later this year,” Boucha was the running back this past added Montague. football season. “I wait all year for foot- Grandfather Henry Boucha, 69, is ball season,” said Boucha. “In the off- Ojibwe, a former professional hockey season I work on skills that will carry player and Team USA player in inter- over and I can improve on.” national competition including being a “One exciting football memory was silver medalist in the 1972 Winter attending the NDSU Football Camp Olympics. He was inducted into the US with hundreds of players and being Hockey Hall of Fame. awarded an Elite Camper Award,” he “I once watched Gaabi play seventh said. grade football,” said Montague. “Gaabi Boucha also plays hockey for the was their place kicker, they scored a Warroad HS Warriors. He is a 6-2 and touchdown, Gaabi hurt his dominant 215 lb. center and enjoys playing a phys- side right leg during the play but was ical game. He is a two-time Minnesota supposed to kick the extra point.” Bantam State Champion. Boucha ended up kicking the extra He missed the first few weeks of this point with his left foot and scoring the season for the filming of The Way of extra point. the Warriors, a fictional hockey film that “Growing up, Gaabi would go from is being filmed in Eveleth, MN. “I have one activity to another all day long,” said a character role as one of the 20 players mom Tara Boucha. “He was always try- on the team,” said Boucha. “I’m super ing to top what he had done the day or excited for the movie experience.” week before. When he was younger he

Gaabi Boucha a three-sport athlete in football, hockey, and baseball. (Photo by Tara Boucha.)

spent hours on the trampoline figuring lifeguard test takes a full day to complete out how to do any kind of flip he could from a swim and dive test to the written … front flips, back flips, and double back exam. We went to the pool one day flips. He always wanted to take his skills before the exam and he did the swim to the next level and has been self-dri- test and made it with four minutes to ven.” spare.” “He showed leadership on the field “My favorite story of Gaabi's is his pas- and ice and a passion to compete,” said sion for lacrosse starting at age nine or Jaimie Snowdon. “He had a very high 10,” said big sister Shalese Snowdon. football I.Q, and sees the field very well, “He watched the movie ‘Crooked and the game in angles.” Arrows’ that is about a Native lacrosse Warroad HS teacher Jennifer Dahlen team and instantly was hooked. said, “I immediately associate with Despite not having a local team, Gaabi Gaabi his ability to focus on one thing spent countless hours in the backyard even though the room may be full of perfecting his game. It was extremely noise and distractions. The first class I noticeable how much stronger his had Gaabi in, he seemed very outgoing hockey shot got during his lacrosse years and full of questions. Some may have from whipping the ball at the lacrosse seen that as a problem, but I soon real- net all day.” ized that he was trying to see how many “The biggest highlight for me as a var- angles he could approach a problem sity student athlete is putting the from.” Warroad jersey on and being able to rep- “All through high school I worked as resent my community,” said Boucha. a lifeguard at the local indoor and out- Boucha said: “I have several different door pool,” said sister Sky Boucha. interests and long term goals, but for “When Gaabi wanted to start working now … I’m hoping it is on some coaches’ he went through lifeguard training. The college football or hockey roster.”

10 February 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org POLITICAL MATTERS: Native Issues in the Halls of Government – by Mordecai Specktor [email protected]

Laura Waterman Wittstock passes Anyway, T---p left for his Florida Before anything else this month, I resort, and he’s banned from Twitter, want to remember one of the truly Facebook and other popular social extraordinary leaders in the Native media. It’s kind of relaxing not having community, Laura Waterman to worry every day about what damage Wittstock, who entered the spirit world this lunatic might cause. on Jan. 16. She was 83. Meanwhile, Pres. Biden has made Among her myriad accomplishments, some positive decisions in the early days Laura, a member of the Seneca Nation, of his presidency. Nominating U.S. was a founder of Migizi Rep. Deb Haaland, D-New Mexico, a Communications (migizi.org), which member of Laguna Pueblo and one of disseminated Native news and taught the first two Native women in media skills to aspiring American Congress, as the next secretary of Indian journalists. I did some reporting Interior is quite remarkable. for Migizi’s “First Person Radio,” when At the January event introducing his the studio was on the second floor of climate crisis team of White House offi- the building on Franklin and cials and cabinet secretaries, as reported Bloomington avenues, across from the by Julian Brave NoiseCat in The Nation Minneapolis American Indian Center. magazine (Jan. 8, 2021), Biden men- I recall waiting at times until the noise tioned the “long-overdue appointment of a passing truck or bus faded to of the first Native American cabinet resume narrating a story. secretary,” as he looked over his shoul- “She really wanted to make a differ- der at Haaland. “Welcome, welcome, ence in the lives of American Indians welcome.” and how we were presented in main- Brave NoiseCat quoted Haaland’s stream media,” Kelly Drummer, presi- speech: “This moment is profound dent of Migizi, told the Star Tribune. when we consider the fact that a former “She has mentored so many young secretary of the interior once pro- women. I feel like that was one of her claimed his goal to ‘civilize or extermi- purposes in life was to work with us nate’ us. I’m a living testament to the and prepare us for our lives.” failure of that horrific ideology. I also Drummer added, “She was really a stand on the shoulders of my ancestors big part… in telling the real story in and all the people who have sacrificed what’s happening across Indian so that I can be here .” Country. That’s why she started this And on Jan. 26, Biden issued a mem- work in the ’70s because our story orandum for the heads of executive needs to be heard and needs to con- departments and agencies on “Tribal tinue being heard.” Consultation and Strengthening Laura was a pathbreaking journalist Nation-to-Nation Relationships,” which and a valuable resource for those of us reemphasizes executive orders from the covering events in Indian County. Obama presidency on federal relations Among other works, she wrote the text with tribal governments. for the 2013 book, “We Are Still Here: “The United States has made solemn A Photographic History of the promises to Tribal Nations for more American Indian Movement” than two centuries,” the memorandum (Minnesota Historical Society Press), points out. “Honoring those commit- which featured the work of the late ments is particularly vital now, as our Dick Bancroft, AIM’s unofficial pho- Nation faces crises related to health, tographer over many decades. the economy, racial justice, and climate May Laura’s legacy be an inspiration change – all of which disproportion- to Native leaders of today and the gen- ately harm Native Americans. History erations to come. And may her memory demonstrates that we best serve Native always be a blessing for her loved ones. American people when Tribal govern- ments are empowered to lead their com- Not insane munities, and when Federal officials In late January, I was watching a cable speak with and listen to Tribal leaders news show and Pres. Joe Biden was in formulating Federal policy that talking about the difficulties in getting affects Tribal Nations.” COVID vaccine distributed across the Of course, there’s a villain in the country. I listened to his earnest expla- story: Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican nation and thought to myself, “Hey, from Minnesota’s Eighth District, he’s not insane.” wrote a letter to Biden urging him to The previous occupant of the Oval withdraw the Haaland nomination, Office was a malign wingnut, a profli- because of her support for “expensive gate liar, and a promoter of racists, big- socialist policies like the Green New ots and xenophobes everywhere. He Deal,” and blah, blah, blah. Hopefully, hated Indians from way back, when Stauber, a Trump sycophant, will fail tribal casinos we re competing with his in his benighted effort. Atlantic City gambling palaces.

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 11 HISTORY On language and legacy: Wakáŋ Tipi BY THE LOWER PHALEN CREEK PROJECT

he first European known to have visited the area known to T the Dakota as Imnižaska, or Saint Paul, was Jonathan Carver. In his journals from 1766-1767, Carver details encountering the place we know as Wakan Tipi when he writes about a “great stone cave called Waukon Teebee” by the local Dakota people. He describes the cave in great detail, includ- ing the abundance of rock art inside the cave’s entrance. He also mentions that “appearances of lights shining at a dis- tance and strange sounds” coming from Above: Interior of Carver's Cave, St. Paul circa 1870, photograph courtesy of the inside the cave were, at least in part, why Minnesota Historical Society. the Dakota deemed this place both mys- terious and sacred. After staying with Left: The site of Tipi Wakan. the Dakota throughout the winter, sacred site. Some Dakota speakers refer Carver described his participation in the to the site as Tipi Wakáŋ, while others annual council meeting of eight bands refer to the site as Wakáŋ Tipi. It is our of the Dakota on May 1st, 1767, inside “Where the Waters Gather and the this place. It was here the dead were stance, as the writers of this commen- that very cave. Rivers Meet: An Atlas of the Eastern brought, placing them on scaffolds then tary, that both are correct. It is nearly two hundred years later Sioux.” In this book and related map, later burying them in the adjacent Interestingly, both versions appear in when Paul Durand, a non-Native man Durand also describes this sacred site: mounds – Jos. N. Nicollet.” Durand’s “Atlas of the Eastern Sioux.” from Minneapolis, who, drawing largely “Wakan Tipi (1) sacred (2) habitation. We again encounter this site in “Mni In this book, though, where Tipi Wakáŋ from field notes and maps produced by Carver’s Cave below Dayton’s Bluff, St. Sota Makoce,” in which Gwen is listed in the atlas of place names, it is Joseph N. Nicollet in 1838, and with Paul. The common intersection of the Westerman (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) not described as a traditional place assistance from Dakota elders and roads of communication between the and Bruce White write, “despite exten- name. Tipi Wakáŋ, according to knowledge keepers – writes his book, three original villages was precisely at sive travels, [the Dakota] always brought Durand, describes a “sacred house, a the bones of their dead to this location,” church.” signifying that this was a burying place Durand’s notes signify a distinction, for the Bdewakaŋtuŋwaŋ Dakota. linguistically and culturally, between From these written records we find the identification of a sacred structure multiple authors referring to this cave or building, and the description of a spe- site, and we find records of the site’s sig- cific place where sacredness dwells. nificance to the people – as a place for Durand also lists Taku Wakáŋ Tipi, ceremony, annual councils, and as a which could be translated as “Dwelling final resting place at the mounds above Place of Something Sacred” (Taku = the cave, in what is now Indian Mounds Something). This site, according to Regional Park. We also see multiple Durand, is “a small hill, overlooking the accounts tying the site to broader Fort Snelling prairie located between Dakota culture, describing an “intersec- the VA Hospital and the Naval Air tion point,” or hub of social and reli- Station. It was called Morgan’s Hill in gious activity for the Dakota bands of pioneer times.” Mni Sota. Our exploration of these site names However, even with these written continues, and for the second part of records, so much more about this site this series, we will share the stories that remains unwritten. Dakota life – the are appropriate to be told in this format, culture, the language, the geography, from Dakota elders and knowledge and the people – could never be quan- keepers, about this place. And we know tified and cataloged in academic records that in the Dakota community, there alone. Dakota life and culture is a circle; are multiple perspectives and relation- we can’t fit it into the box Western cul- ships to place, even multiple ways in ture has imposed on us. The name we which Dakota people refer to this site. use for this site reflects these complex- We honor all of those relationships and ities. As Carolynn Schommer writes in histories, even when they may conflict. the introduction to the Riggs Dakota We honor that different communities, Dictionary, “Dakota language structure and even different families within the is much different from the English, and same community, may have different no literal translation can be made from stories about one place. And they are either language into the other.” There all correct. also exists the fact that names for sites To share oral history relating to this and “things” vary from community to site, please contact Wakan Tipi Center community. Take the examples of Pejuta director, Maggie Lorenz at Sapa vs. Mnikata, as two ways to say cof- [email protected], or fee in the eastern Santee dialect – both Mishaila Bowman at mbowman@low- are correct. The same holds true for this erphalencreek.org.

12 February 2021 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org – LAST TANGO CONTINUE FROM P 3 – Red Lake Stands Tall Enbridge is betting on the crisis of this The Aitken Age dropped its star pandemic and the legacy of the Trump reporter- Lynn Mizner, and assigned her administration’s brutality to tribes, to pitch to non Enbridge reporting. A similar a good deal. The Red Lake Nation has not “gag order” was rumored to be levied at taken the bait, and we are grateful. Red the editor of the Pine River paper, and Lake has a strong trespass case – 50 years more. Enbridge seems to underwrite or so of Enbridge on their land, as well as most of Minnesota Public Radio and the l863 treaty territory, and a lot of water TV programs in the north, with Julie to be worried about. Kelleher (formerly of MPR and now at Last October, Enbridge met with tribal the helm of Enbridge’s public relations officials and laid out promises of $500,000 machine.) They also created an organi- for a rebuild of powwow grounds in zaton, the Minnesotans for Line 3, Ponemah, $50,000 for daycare programs, which lavished over $11 million in $l00,000 for the radio station, community advertising and lobbying in 2018. investment at $465,000 or so, according In the meantime, there’s only so much to the Confidential Settlement lipstick you can put on a pig. Enbridge Negotiations memorandum which got has targeted some fine northern com- leaked to tribal members. More than that, munities, most of whom are the rural Enbridge would sign a power purchase poor, to shove a pipeline through. Sort agreement for l2 megawatts of solar power, of like, “here’s a job, be happy, don’t to be owned by Red Lake Nation, along mind the destruction.” In the end, it’s with Alette/Minnesota Power. All of that 23 jobs in pipeline maintenance. would power Enbridge’s Line 3. In return, the Red Lake Nation would The Art of Indian Whispering within five days, “withdraw from the Enbridge has been perfecting the fine Minnesota Court of Appeals case” (to art of Indian Whispering. It’s despica- overturn the environmental impact ble. The Anishinaabe should not be statement and the certificate of need) paupers in our own land. and publicly communicate their oppo- Fond du Lac tribal members had a spe- sition to unlawful protesting, resistance cial note on the tribal per capita payment or actions against Line 3 replacement which just went out, saying basically, in the l863 treaty territory. “All of that “courtesy of Enbridge”. With a substan- was parlayed, apparently by Eugene tive settlement, Fond du Lac has exer- Bugger MacArthur, Enbridge’s apparent cised extreme influence over this project, Indian Whisperer from White Earth. including the accelerated and inadequate The fact is we need a just transition with- cultural resource assessment of the lands out more Enbridge. Today on the banks of the l855 and l863 treaty territories. of the Red River, a Red Lake Treaty Camp That’s not even Fond du Lac’s territory. stands, overlooking the river crossing, There’s some pretty valid concerns about which Enbridge is making a move on. Sam 2021 CIRCLE AD RATES Fond du Lac financially benefitting from Strong, Secretary Treasurer of Red Lake this project, while other tribal members Nation, is sitting in a lodge looking at DISPLAY RATES suffer. At the same time, Minnesota Enbridge barreling towards the river. I’m pushes ahead with lethal mining projects going to bet on the river and the people, Ad Sizes Width X Height Net Rate in their territory, forcing the tribe to try not the company. and defend at least one front – their St. Full Page 10-1/8” x 12-1/2” $1,200 Louis River watershed – from Polymet, Just Transition Twin Metals and the like. This is wiindigo What we need is a way out of this mess. 3/4 Page 10-1/8” x 9-1/4” $900 economics at its best. Red Lake Nation should put up 12 Leech Lake doesn’t have to deal with megawatts of power without having to 1/2H Page 10-1/8” x 6-1/8” $650 Line 3 going through the middle of the sign a deal with Enbridge. You should reservation. After all, like Fond du Lac, not have to sacrifice an ecosystem to have 1/2V Page 5” x 12-1/2” $650 they have six other Enbridge lines to adequate drinking water, and tribal health worry about. What’s particularly ironic care programs. The point is that the 3/8 Page 5” x 9-1/4” $450 is that the 2010 easement procured by party’s over, and no one needs a tar sands Enbridge from Leech Lake allotted $10 pipeline, even if it’s powered by wind and 1/3 Page 6-11/16” x 6-1/8” $400 million to the tribe for a 50 year ease- solar. Fortunately, it seems that Enbridge ment on the Alberta Clipper pipeline has a lot of money, and could finance it 1/4H Page 5” x 6-1/8” $350 ( Enbridge’s last tar sands pipeline). without getting a seventh pipe. After all, Meanwhile, Al Monaco, the CEO of Enbridge is the largest energy consumer 1/4V Page 3-5/16” x 9-1/4” $350 Enbridge, took home a sweet $18 mil- in Minnesota, so it might be time for the lion last year. That’s an annual gig, and company to help out. And, finally, the 1/6 Page 3-5/16” x 6-1/8” $275 colonial mathematics at its very best. best jobs for the future are going to be However, the company secured a Line in decommissioning old pipelines – there 1/8 Page 5” x 3” $200 3 Pipe Blessing Ceremony, and boasted are hundreds of thousands of miles of about it widely. Apparently, the cere- old decrepit pipes endangering ground- Business Card 3-1/4” x 2 $75 mony was conducted by tribal member water throughout the continent. Diane Osceola, Enbridge’s latest Indian Enbridge has a lot of them. Full color ads, add an extra $150 per ad. Whisperer. She’s not alone, there was Our day in court is coming March 23. a big ceremony in Canada, too. Blessing The Water Protector Movement is grow- Classified Ads: $30 per column inch. $60 minimum. pipeline projects seems to be the latest ing, and spring is coming. The last tar sands vogue. Honestly, none of us want pipes pipeline tiara goes to Enbridge for sure, to fail, we just don’t think that praying it’s for the Alberta Clipper. Now we want Send ad copy to: [email protected] (put “attention Ad sales” in head). for Enbridge and dirty oil in our wild pipes for people, not for oil companies, Call Cat at 612-722-3686 for more info and discounts. rice is the way to go. and we want a just transition. http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 13 ARTS Artist blends traditional Ojibwe designs with contemporary styles

BY BRAD HAGEN

ative Americans are often ren- dered invisible to the wider Npopulation due to stereotypes and misconceptions about who we are, factors that are a direct result of the set- tler-colonialism that has taken place across Turtle Island. To many, we are either feathers and buckskin, or we sim- ply do not exist at all because “there are no real Indians left.” These damaging thoughts have plagued Native peoples for generations and have threatened our Artist Caitlin Newago (left) blends traditional sovereignty as tribal nations. Luckily, Ojibwe designs with contemporary styles. there are those like Caitlin Newago who Her work ranges from jewelry to apparel are here to take a stand by highlighting with messages, whether it is seeking to to finally learn these things.” She learned raise awareness for reproductive rights our presence. through the use of Ojibwe floral prints, or Newago is an Ojibwe multimedia artist from her father how to harvest birch bark, provocative phrases on the fronts of shirts and owner of Bizaanide’ewin Beadwork which she initially used to paint on for like “You’re on Looted Land”. and Supplies, her online store where she her earrings. This interest then evolved sells her artwork, the majority of which into practicing quillwork, which she con- blends traditional Ojibwe designs with art out there and I wanted to provide an tinues to experiment with. these things, but it’s just not who I am. contemporary styles. Newago says that alternative, so someone can support a Newago’s reconnection to her identity I’m a very political person, and I’m very this aspect of her art is quite intentional. real Native business and still get that hasn’t stopped at learning traditional art invested in human rights and things of “When people reference Native art, or just same aesthetic that people are looking forms – she’s also become more involved that nature. I’m chronically ill and can’t Natives in general, we’re these historic fig- for, without having to go down the route in her community. “I go to the round go to the protests and things like that, ures, or [makers of] this ancient art, like of cultural appropriation.” dances and winter camps at Bad River, and because I’m this loud, outspoken we’re from a completely different time. Despite her art having a heavy Ojibwe and I started going to council meetings. kind of person, I wouldn’t do well run- People aren’t realizing that we’re still here. influence, Newago hasn’t always had I learned how to rice and we donated ning for office, [so] I’ve sort of accepted I think combining these mediums and such a strong connection to her identity [our harvest] to the elderly in Bad River.” my role in this whole movement.” pushing my way into more contemporary as an Ojibwe woman – she described her Newago cites her role of a mother as a And it’s quite evident that she’s partic- styles of art, while still maintaining that artwork as an act of reconnecting with major influence that keeps her on her ipating in this movement. With over Ojibwe influence, kind of shows more [of who she is. Born in Ashland, Wisconsin, journey. “One of the things I really try 8000 followers on Facebook and over our] presence in the world.” Newago grew up in Green Bay and, being to focus on is that as I learn, I try to teach 4000 on Instagram, Newago has received Evidence of this can be found in some Oneida as well, attended the Oneida my son because he’s the next generation. widespread recognition for her work of her jewelry, which spans from birch tribal school, though she spent a lot of It feels selfish to take all the knowledge since Bizaanide’ewin’s inception in 2016. bark-backed beaded earrings to metal her adolescence on the Bad River reser- for myself and not try to pass it down. I Her latest pieces are resin earrings with hoop and resin-based ones, as well as her vation. “I kind of bounced around a lot take very seriously my role of being a flecks of birch bark in them, as well as apparel, some sporting Ojibwe floral throughout my life. I lived in Madison mother to an Ojibwe child.” ones that house quills, which again prints and others displaying phrases like for six years, and then I moved back She also recognizes the significance of reflects Newago’s style of blending “You’re on Looted Land” and “Blood home. Now I’m living in Eau Claire.” her artwork in the political sphere. Most Ojibwe and contemporary forms. When Quantum is a Tool of Genocide.” “Because of the way I was raised, I of her apparel displays some kind of mes- asked if there was anything new from In regard to her resin earrings, Newago didn’t really have a huge opportunity to sage, whether it is seeking to raise aware- Bizaanide’ewin to look for in February, said, “It’s actually pretty cool, being able immerse myself in the culture and learn ness for reproductive rights through the she replied, “I have another earring col- to construct these earrings in a way I’ve things. When I left an abusive relation- use of Ojibwe floral print, or provocative lection release planned for February. never done before and put my own ship and kind of started my life over from phrases on the fronts of shirts like [They have] a different political statement Indigenous spin on it.” “Not everyone scratch, I decided to re-immerse myself “You’re on Looted Land” and “Not on them, though these ones are a little wants to wear big ass beaded earrings, into my art. [At the time], I was living Today Colonizer.” Again, this is an inten- edgier.” you know? [There’s] a lot of fake Native close to home, and I had the opportunity tional aspect of Newago’s work. “It’s how I put myself in my work. If I’m just draw- Newago’s art work can be seen at: ing flowers or beading or whatever, it’s https://bizaanideewin.com not something I’m really passionate https://www.facebook.com/biza Torre de San Miguel about. I have the technical skills to do www.instagram.com/bizaanideewin 58 Wood Street, St Paul, MN 55107 651-224-5839 "Stand Up For Your People”

NOTICE: OPENING THE 3 BEDROOM WAIT LIST A book about the violation of Native American religious rights in prison. 262 pg. Read a sample Project-Based Section 8, rent based on income for qualified applicants. and purchase at https://fiestapublishing.com. Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org Fiesta Publishing, PO Box 44984, Phoenix, AZ 85064. from 9AM February 1, 2021 until 4PM, February 15, 2021. Completed applications must be mailed to Torre de San Miguel on or before March 1, 2021. FOR RENT All qualified applicants will be placed on the Waiting List Find your new home with At Home Apartments. in the order they are received. Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApts.com for an apartment or town home. Equal Housing Opportunity. CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

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

pink supremacist views but they actually wanted; land and natural resources. thank the Creator. Know that I’ve been think they are better than everyone who There was a video of pink supporters through a lot of really tough personal is not them. of the Orange Monster online losing and physical situations and episodes. I Civilizations come and go. Here we their minds and bawling when nothing have enough metal in me to be named are watching this Empirical nation crush happened, as they were assured would The Bionic Woman (I wish). My under the weight of its own corrupt on January 20, during the Biden/Harris Gramma, who was the most important powers. Turtle Island is soaked with the inauguration. I watched and re-watched person in my life and why I moved up blood of our Indigenous ancestors. No their idiocy, laughing the whole time. here, is gone in her physical form but I good will come if they refuse to acknowl- Vile and disgusting as their insurgent feel her love every day. Dunno where edge their sins against humanity. actions were, in which people died, most I’d be now had I stayed The Big City. If we are to survive as a species (not of them did not wear a mask – as proof I am fortunate, despite my troubles, that bad of a thing, lol), everything has of their dedication for their dear leader. due to people I’ve met and become to change now, especially Climate Now those people who haven’t been friends with, and family too. A big change. Once humans do die off we will scooped up by law enforcement went shout-out to the Rezberry Business perhaps be dug up by extraterrestrials, home to spread the virus to innocent Committee for looking out for band or future generations of humans that people. members. My cupboards are stocked somehow survived the coming apoca- Speaking of Covid-19, I got my first and I got some cooking and eating to Well, well, well, never a dull moment, lyptic, doomsday scenarios. Purges have vaccine shot and will get the second one do. So I will be fat, full and happy! ennit? I would really enjoy some peace happened before, the Great Flood is later this month. It didn’t take long and My fur babies have supplies too, they but not monotony. Like many around something that many cultures have it felt less than a Minnesota mosquito come first in this house so I bought in the world, I watched the January 6 shared in history. bite. I feel good about it even though I bulk when I could. Sigh! I don’t know insurrection on the Capitol in horror – There is not one shred of respect for have not had flu shots for the past ten how I would have lasted this long with- initiated by the man who I will not the ones who stormed the Capitol from years because I’m leery of what is in the out them. They supply love and enter- name. me. I’m still traumatized by the past four vaccine (I did this year). I simply don’t tainment on the daily and vie to sit on One thing I am grateful for is that I years, and I am only now getting refresh- want to drown and die with fluid in my my lap. Purrince is very demanding as do not have to look at his ugly face, hear ing sleep, and not waking up to an lungs. Besides, I gotta see all this is usual, Mitzi and Bugg bark at his lies or voice anymore. The sad thing Orange Monster and his minions (who through now. Things are getting really snowflakes, Tom Petty is a big instigator, is he likely won’t be charged for his took babies away from their parents). intense and I still have people to piss and Lenny Katvitz still looks at me all crimes, because republicans are looking Facts are pink people, the original boat off with my very presence, after they sceptical. Life such as it is, is good. to his cult followers for re-election. people, have always been a threat to tried to do me in. Priorities, ennit? I still want to go outside but now is About them: it amazes me that they are humanity. When they weren’t killing Sitting here in isolation becomes tiring not the time. Brrr!!! I send my best all fighting over stolen land and believe each other in Europe they turned their and I feel sad sometimes, but then I real- wishes for you and yours. Together (but the most disgusting conspiracy theories. attention to brown and black people ize I’m in the best place I can be. I not all at the same time) we get through They not only overlook their own sick who had what the invaders most acknowledge my blessings every day and this. We have to.

SCOTT COUNTY CDA SUBSCRIBE TO THE CIRCLE OPENING WAITING LIST FOR CHECK IF THIS IS A RENEWAL S8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PLEASE CIRCLE YOUR CHOICE * 1 YEAR 2 YEAR The Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) FIRST CLASS MAIL (ARRIVES IN 2-3 DAYS, ENVELOPED) $37 $70 will accept online applications for the S8 Housing Choice Voucher INTERNATIONAL (FIRST CLASS, ENVELOPED) $42 $80 Tuesday February 16, 2021 at 8 a.m. until Monday, February 22, SUPPORTING (FIRST CLASS, FOR LARGE ORGANIZATIONS) $70 $140 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be accepted online only at: * CHECKS SENT FOR LESS THEN THE CORRECT AMOUNT WILL BE RETURNED. https://www.waitlistcheck.com/MN3095

Applicants may use any computer, tablet or smart-phone with internet I have enclosed $______for the subscription circled above. access to apply. You may reserve a computer at your local library if Please charge my credit card account: Visa American Express Discover needed. Applications will not be available at the CDA offices. Fax or e-mail requests will not be accepted. Applicants needing a reasonable Card# Expiration accommodation to complete their application must submit a request

Name on card to the CDA at 323 S. Naumkeag Street, Shakopee, MN 55379.

Signature All eligible applications completed by Monday, February 22, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. will be placed on the waiting list by a lottery subject to local admissions preferences. 500 applicants will be Please send my subscription to: accepted for the wait list.

NAME Please refer to https://scottcda.org/resource/waiting-lists/ ADDRESS to determine if your household qualifies for the list.

Income limits apply and you must be a U.S. Citizen, or a non-citizen CITY STATE ZIP with eligible immigration status. Applicants already on waiting lists COUNTRY PHONE for other housing programs with the CDA must apply separately for this program and such applicants will SEND TO: THE CIRCLE, 3045 BLOOMINGTON AVE, BOX 7506, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407 not lose their place onother waiting lists when THE CIRCLE IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION. • PHONE: 612-722-3686 they apply for the project based list. Website: www.thecirclenews.org • E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective February 2021 15