Covid/Protests Bring Food Shortages and Community Support Residents Comes Together to Protect Little Earth Housing Complex

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JULY 2020 CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS VOLUME 41, ISSUE 7

Covid/protests bring food shortages and community support Residents comes together to protect Little Earth Housing Complex

BY HANA BROADBENT

e all remember In that first week, Little Earth where we were was showing up with large num- Wwhen we heard bers of over 100 residents who about the death of George were on every street that sur- Floyd. It’s a moment in time rounded the housing. One night, that touched every corner of a day or two after the rioting Minneapolis, and the Little started, a group of peaceful pro- Earth of United Tribes was no testors were making their way exception. onto Cedar Ave from 26th. “I woke up to Facebook one Residents let them know they day and saw the video. I knew were entering a private commu- something was going to happen nity and managed to reroute them after that,” said Little Earth res- away. ident, Estella LaPointe. “I was The residents were facing East Heidi Inman, a volunteer at the NACDI Free Market, unloads donated food items at the pop-up food shelf in home when I saw the Target and on 26th St., moving protestors the All My Relations Arts gallery, 1414 E. Franklin Ave. (Photo by Lee Egerstrom.) Cub being looted which are my along, and when they turned BY LEE EGERSTROM stores, that was heartbreaking. around to face the West side of Then, a group of people burned the street, they were met with the third precinct and everyone police brutality. he burning and damage to Cub Foods Food access and shopping were problems for was saying they were coming to Jones said unmarked trucks and Target stores in south elders and others in the Phillips Neighborhood Little Earth next.” and buses were blocking the T Minneapolis following the death of given precautions needed with the COVID-19 LaPointe said at that moment street and the police were in George Floyd in May turned the Phillips pandemic, Swann said. These problems became she left her house to go stand front, shining massive lights at Neighborhood and adjacent areas into what is much worse with the looting and damage. Cub watch at one of the entrances of the crowd. The police in riot known as an urban “food desert.” and Target were the two largest nearby area mar- Little Earth. She said she stayed gear wasted no time throwing “If you don’t have transportation or much kets for food, household and personal items. out there for 10 hours. She stun grenades (more commonly help to get around to other areas to shop, you Swan said her initial idea was to collect donated watched residents go in and out known as flash grenades) and really have a problem getting food,” said Angel foods for the American Indian Movement (AIM) of their homes to keep watch as shooting rubber bullets. The Swann, a former barista at the Pow Wow patrol that protected buildings and walked the well – collectively, there were hun- crowd of hundreds ran down Grounds coffee shop who responded to neigh- streets protecting people and property in the dreds of residences guarding their Cedar Avenue and retreated borhood food shortages by starting what is Cultural Corridor area during the unrest. community from the madness into the Little Earth Property. called a “pop-up” food shelf. Three days later, on May 28, when impact that took place. Police were met with hundreds The community response along the on the neighborhood was evident, Swann went “We did not have big machine of residents chanting as one voice American Indian Cultural Corridor on to work for the Native American Community guns to protect our elders’ and “We’re peaceful, get out.” The Franklin Avenue is bringing food to the Development Institute (NACDI) as Food and babies’ homes,” LaPointe said. shooting continued from about Phillips Neighborhood community. The streets Donations Coordinator for the pop-up food “We came with whatever we had, a block and half away. Eventually of Minneapolis have become calmer after the shelf. It took over the All My Relations Arts and we will continue to be here." the police stopped firing on the Floyd death that ignited looting and burning gallery behind Pow Wow Grounds, 1414 E. Since that night, a group of people. The collective power of in the Twin Cities. Franklin Ave. Little Earth residents have been community won in that moment, But there is no end in sight to how long the Community response and support from well- at all the entrances of the hous- but the police were back later that COVID-19 crisis will impact life in the neighbor- wishers outside the community was immediate. ing units every night. At first, the night and the night after. Tire hood, or how long it will take for new construction When the food shelf expanded to serve all hours were long: 8 p.m. to sun- slashing and random gunfire at and repairs to bring major food retailers back to needy in the neighborhood, Swann and rise. The goal was to stop what Little Earth took place in the the neighborhood. NACDI staff turned to Facebook to enlist help. was happening in Minneapolis nights that followed. “Crisis builds communities,” said Swann, who A call for food and personal products from happening in their own “It hasn’t been explained to is also a Metropolitan State University student. brought immediate responses, she said. community. The main threats us why that happened,” Jones It also builds leadership. Someone from the neighborhood was a truck were the out-of-state and out-of- said. “They say they can’t tell What is emerging along Franklin Avenue driver. A Teamsters Union local delivered a town white supremacists and the the difference between rioters corridor could serve as a case study for civic truck load of food. More help was needed so Minneapolis Police Department. and protesters (this was before leaders and urban scholars on community- a call for volunteers went out on Facebook. “The first week was hell,” said the curfew began) but it took based responses to crises and human needs. – CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 – Jolene Jones, who’s lived there less than 15 residents to reroute since 1974, making her the them, so were they going to hit 4 – Natives face obstacles to voting... 11 – Political Matters longest residing Little Earth res- the protestors? Did we get 6 – Pipelines: How risky do you wanna be? 12 – Protesters bring down Columbus statue ident. “We took gunfire 5 times, caught in the cross fire? Were fire from the riot police and the they going to shoot us all?” 10 – Native Americans in Sports 15 – It Ain’t Easy Being Indian state troopers. – CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 – Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

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2 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org NEW Statues to brutal colonizers are falling everywhere BY WINONA LADUKE

Historian Here: Tearing down a statue is not erasing history. Putting up a statue on land whose original caretakers you can’t name is. – Nick Estes, Lakota Historian.

cross the country statues of empire are tumbling. The idols Aare indeed falling, the American idols that is. This is not just about statutes. It is about whose history is celebrated, the history of the oppressor, or the history of the oppressed. It looks like it may be time for a reconciliation. George Floyd’s death has been the spark of an international movement for human rights and dignity. That spark is seen across the world, and it means that some big statues are coming down. The toppling of the Mike Forcia raises his hands in the air as people photograph the fallen Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Columbus statue in St. Paul by the Paul, Minn., Wednesday, June 10, 2020. (Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP.) American Indian Movement (AIM) leaders was one of many nationally, and the and when the Pueblo refused and fought Sun Bird in the Tewa language, arrived at replaced the Scaffold with a giant blue statue toppling has also included some back, Onate ordered the massacre of 800 the Oñate monument, the statue of the chicken. Really, they could have done conquistadors. I predict that before we are Acoma people. He also ordered the ampu- Pueblos’ tormentor was already gone. something monumental, like pay a com- done a whole bunch of Confederate lead- tation of the right foot of any adult Acoma “I started to sing,” he explained, “in parable commission to what they paid ers, some Indian War generals, and some man in the village; 24 of them in total. honor of my ancestors who I know were Durant to a Native Artist. Our art is beau- corrupt and genocide complicit governors They lived the rest of their lives with slaughtered by this man.” And then Than tiful. Let’s replace Columbus with an will also fall. And, it’s about time. stumps. Oñate was recalled to Mexico City Tsídéh did what his long-ago ancestors, Indigenous person. Heads are gonna roll. A Columbus in 1606 to account for his conduct, where (because of Onate’s cynical brutality) could My suggestion for the fallen idols is statue was beheaded in Boston, one was he was convicted of cruelty to both Natives not. He danced. maybe a Statue Garden of Shame. It could removed in Richmond (landing in a lake) and colonists and banished from New Over the past month, NASCAR has be a learning exercise, sort of like looking and on the June 25 Anniversary of the Mexico for life. banned confederate flags, and the confed- at old statues or pictures of Hitler. Don’t Little Big Horn, the Columbus statue He lived on, however, as a statue. erate statues are falling. Where do 700 con- keep that stuff around, it’s bad karma. came down in Denver. That’s after decades Mounted on a horse, the conquistador federate statues go? That’s a good question And for Minnesota, there’s a pretty of opposition to the City’s proud wore military regalia and loomed large on being asked nationally, and one which we decent list of folks who might need to take Columbus Day celebrations. “… The statue Highway 68, out of Santa Fe. On the eve should begin to ask in Minnesota. After a hike to a new garden spot. I’d like to put was found on its side on the sidewalk of the 400th anniversary of Onate’s arrival all, we should have learned by now that Knute Nelson right there on top of that Friday morning…” the Denver Post reported. into the region, December l997 glorifying genocide in art is a bad idea; just list. Nelson was responsible for the death, There should be a way to have this dis- someone sawed off Onate’s right foot and take the Walker Art Center’s installation misery and theft of the lands of White cussion in civil society. But what this spring left a note saying, “Fair is fair.” This June, of Sam Durant’s sculpture Scaffold in Earth Anishinaabe people and went on to has taught us is that if the system doesn’t that statue came down. 2012. The idea that Minnesota institutions become governor. Sort of like Onate, but work, and people keep trying to make Red Nation, an Indigenous youth group, can glorify genocide is problematic, and without the massacres. Our deaths took change, something’s going to give. Now organized a demonstration at the Onate as statutes tumble across the world, now a couple of generations. His statue stands there’s supposed to be a process for remov- statue. Sensing that Onate’s time had is a good time to figure out the next art tall at the capital. Let’s use this opportu- ing statues in Minnesota. There’s a board come, officials removed the statue for safe installations. nity to make a new story, bring forth new called the CAAP (Capitol Area keeping. “It’s a win,” said Luis Pena, who I believe that the Walker Art Center art and dance together. Architectural and Planning Board) and started a petition to remove the statue and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (Ojibwe) chairs stood near the concrete platform covered the CAAP board. However, the CAAP with blood-red handprints. “Symbols are THE CIRCLE is a 501(c)3 non-profit newspaper and is governed by board has not removed a single statue in important, they shape the way we ingest a board of directors from the American Indian community. 52 years. That might need to change. the world … In reclaiming these symbols, Flanagan had to face reporters after the we get a chance to tell a side of history that MANAGING EDITOR The Circle is dedicated to presenting news from a Native American statue came down, this time by the hands has been left out of the books.” CAT WHIPPLE perspective, while granting an equal opportunity to community voices. Another Onate statue came down in The Circle is published monthly by The Circle Corporation, of Mike Forcia, an Ojibwe businessman, PO Box 7506, 3045 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. community leader and member of AIM. Albuquerque, and now Kit Carson is in BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editorials and articles are the sole responsibility of the authors, “I’m not going to perform for folks. I’m question everywhere. Carson, who has CHAIRPERSON/TREASURER and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, attitude, or philosophy of not gonna feign sadness. I’m not gonna National Forests, squares, and more named JOY PERSALL The Circle. The Circle does not endorse any product or service shed a tear over the loss of a statue that in his honor, burned the orchards of the VICE-CHAIR accepted as advertising, and reserves the right to reject any advertising, material, or letters. The Circle encourages the submission Navajo and forced them on the Long Walk ROBERT ALBEE honored someone who by of his own of Letters to the Editor, which must include the writer’s name and admission sold 9- and 10-year-old girls over to Fort Redondo, many did not return. BOARD MEMBERS: address. Letters may be edited for language and length. sex slavery,” Flanagan said at a news con- Reporter Randall Balmer told a sweet MELISSA BUFFALO ference. This is a new Minnesota. story for the LA Times: “For the first time ROBERT LARSEN NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED in many years, we don’t have to stare at NOAH MIWA WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER.

Oñate,” Elena Ortiz, a Red Nation leader, SHIRLEY SNEVE They are Falling Member of Minnesota American IndianChamber of Commerce and Other colonizers are falling as well. Juan told the Santa Fe New Mexican. “The pres- JANE STEFFEN the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Circulation: 10,000 De Onate, a conquistador who become ence of that statue was an act of violence the Governor of New Mexico in l598, was upon Pueblo people from the moment it THE CIRCLE ADVISORY BOARD: DAVID BICE, BRENDA CHILD, KELLY DRUMMER, a brutal man. When his troops needed was put up and now, finally, it’s gone.” HEID ERDRICH, JIM LENFESTEY, LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK food, he demanded it of Acoma Pueblo, When Than Tsídéh, whose name means 612-722-3686 • www.thecirclenews.org • [email protected] http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 3 NEWS Natives face obstacles to voting most everywhere. Is MN different? BY LEE EGERSTROM are more than 1 million potential Native votes miles round trip to get state identifications that unaccounted for.” some state require for voting. ative Americans and Alaskan Natives face Areas where Native votes can have significant At hearings held during 2017 and 2018, NARF obstacles to voting this year, researchers impacts on elections include both Dakotas, Alaska researchers found several common barriers to reg- N say, and it may be too early to tell if and several Southwest states. They can in neigh- istering to vote. They included lack of traditional Minnesota will be part of the pack erecting barriers borhoods and local voting districts of Minnesota mailing addresses, voter identification require- between Native communities and the ballot box. as well. ments, unequal access to online registration (about A multi-year study prepared by the Native American State and county election officials in Minnesota 90 percent of reservations lack access to broadband Rights Fund (NARF) and the Native American Voting have tried to reduce barriers to voting by encour- Internet), unequal access to in-person voter regis- Rights Coalition (NAVRC), based at Boulder, Colo., aging voter registrations and applications to for tration off reservation, unequal access to registra- found widespread barriers to Native voting that range absentee ballots to vote by mail. Early indications tion on reservation lands, and unequal funding for from voter registration requirements, to actual voting, show this is helping. voter registration efforts on tribal lands. and to getting votes counted. Risikat Adesaogun, press secretary for Minnesota The report authors found a lot of barriers in various In Minnesota, lawsuits have attempted to block state Secretary of State Steve Simon, said that as of June states that included purges of election roles, lack of efforts to make voting-by-mail easier during the current 25 there were 207,835 Minnesotans who had pre-election information, unequal access to early vot- coronavirus pandemic. requested absentee ballots. That compared with ing, lack of Native American election workers and Conflicting state and federal court decisions in June 8,964 requests on the same date in 2018 and 7,939 unequal access to convenient polling places. led to a temporary compromise for the state’s Aug. on that date in 2016, the last national election. That such barriers exist shouldn’t be surprising. 11 primary election. Barriers to voting by mail and This can help keep Minnesotans both healthy and Wisconsin and Georgia held chaotic primary elections other inconveniences during the COVID-19 will still voting this year with the COVID-19 virus a threat this year, partly – at least – the result of trying to con- be in place and potentially may reduce Minnesotans to all. At the same time, vote-by-mail isn’t a cure- duct elections with the COVID-19 crisis. While the voting in the Nov. 3 general election. all for low Native voting turnouts nationwide, said worst stack up of people wanting to vote wasn’t Given voter suppression efforts in other states, how- De Leon and NARF staff attorney Natalie directed at Native Americans, the lack of adequate ever, it is unknown but possible that legal challenges Landreth, co-authors of the Native voting report. voting places in Milwaukee did mostly impact people to people’s access to polls in Minnesota will emerge Native people do not receive home mail delivery from marginalized communities. between now and November. Here and everywhere, in many parts of the country and cannot vote safely “In the United States, power is available through much is at stake. at home, they noted. Language barriers also pose participatory democracy. If Native Americans can “Native American voters have the potential to a problem for some voting at home. engage fully in the political system – free from the bar- decide elections,” said Jacqueline De Leon, NARF Elsewhere, residents of some remote tribal nations riers that currently obstruct them – they can reclaim state attorney and co-author of the report Obstacles need to travel more than 100 miles to either register power and participate in America in a way that is fair at Every Turn. “Forty-four percent of eligible Native to vote or to vote at state established polling sites, and just,” De Leon and Landreth said in releasing Americans are not registered to vote, meaning there the authors said. Others have to travel about 100 their report. Everything, however, can be politicized, including efforts to get out the vote. Especially in an election year. The League of Women Voters of Minnesota, along with its groups in other states, went to court earlier this year to get states to waive requirements that absentee voters need a notary or registered voter to witness their voting before mailing ballots. The common expressed reason was COVID-19. An elderly living alone, for instance, isn’t any more likely to want a visitor come in to witness the voting than wanting to go stand in line to vote at a polling place. League efforts, joined by other groups, appear to have prevailed in Virginia and Alabama. A compromise was struck in Minnesota, according to Courthouse News Service, after state and federal judges split decisions on similar cases. Courthouse News Service (CN) is a California-based news service for law firms and has reporters in most major markets across the country. It reported on June 18 that a Ramsey County judge approved a consent decree between the Secretary of State’s office and a group, the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans, which sought to eliminate the witness requirement. Groups in league with the Alliance included the League of Women Voters, the NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union. A federal judge, meanwhile, blocked that waiver for the November general election. It was sought by Trump’s re-election campaign and local groups of sup- porters. Nothing precludes groups from taking more legal runs at how this year’s elections may be held. Such efforts at vote suppression or other reasons would seem likely, in Minnesota and elsewhere, given how the year is unfolding.

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4 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org ENVIRONMENT Pipelines: How risky do you wanna be? BY WINONA LADUKE that it would write down as much as $l7.5b Well, that’s a start. Honor the Earth has private lands, the Canadian corporation is billion of oil and gas holdings in its next calculated that the cost of removing the now facing challenges at the Wisconsin innesota’s Public Utilities quarterly report carbon from the air from just Enbridge’s PUC. And in early July, virtual hearings Commission (PUC) contin- “Everywhere I have been – inside BP, as Line 3 would be about $170 million annu- will be held by the Wisconsin Department Mues to be an embarrassment well as outside – I have come away with ally. And since Enbridge is self insured, of Natural Resources on Enbridge’s pro- to state regulatory authorities, slogging one inescapable conclusion,” Bernard and losing money, we might want to think posed new line. ahead with what we might call the last tar Looney, the chief executive, said in a speech about the risk. Enbridge has reduced the amount of oil sands pipeline. On June 25, Little Big in February. “We have got to change.” Oil Risky Business: Then there’s Line 5. going through it’s main line by at least Horn Day, the PUC reaffirmed approvals and gas ain’t worth what it used to be. That one just got shut down in Michigan. 300,000 barrels per day, and anticipates of the Enbridge Line 3 project- route and Just take the lawsuit filed by Attorney On June 25, the federal court shut down more cuts this summer as international need. The White Earth Nation, Red Lake General Keith Ellison on June 24. Ellison part of Enbridge’s Line 5. That’s the sixty and domestic demands for oil plummet. Nation, Honor the Earth and other groups filed consumer protection litigation against year old Enbridge pipe that goes under the The company does not need Line 3 to be continue to oppose Line 3. The sole dis- oil giants ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, Straits of Mackinac, Odawa territory. On replaced, it needs it to be closed down. senting vote on PUC is Matthew and the American Petroleum Institute for Little Big Horn Day, the Michigan circuit Enbridge itself has said that removing an Schuerger. Valerie Means, the newly their decades-long activities in deceiving court ordered Enbridge to halt Line 5 oper- aging Line 3 (Lines 1 and 2 are also in dis- appointed member of the commission, the public on climate change. The lawsuit ations and disclose information related to array) will cost the company $2 billion. held the line. points to evidence that the oil industry has the recent damage caused to a part of the That’s all jobs. All those guys laid off on “There is no question that COVID-19 known for seventy years that their products’ oil pipeline. A spill in the Straits of the Iron Range could go work for Enbridge has presented a number of unique chal- greenhouse gas emissions would contribute Mackinac could cost the company over $6 to clean up. But let the Ojibwes supervise lenges,” said PUC Commissioner Means. to a warming planet, calamitous weather billion according to estimates by the Coast it. We’re better at taking care of the envi- However, “COVID disruptions would not pattern changes, and rising sea levels, and Guard. This is posing more of a risk to ronment than the rest of those guys. change the [long-term oil] forecast.” they chose to deliberately obscure this infor- states and tribes, as Enbridge’s financial Minnesota has an opportunity to catch Apparently the PUC did not get the mation in the interest of profits. wellbeing comes into question. the momentum of the next green economy. memo written by the rest of the oil and Minnesota has a good record on consumer In May of 2020, Enbridge (after posting Tribes will likely have to provide the lead- insurance industries, nor has it seen the litigation – take the tobacco company law- $l.4 billion in losses in it’s first quarter) ership, and in that economy, we won’t be writing on the wall about Enbridge. suit as an example. had layoffs and early buy outs totaling 800 fighting about pollution and water. While Let me explain: In the face of plummet- Ellison’s lawsuit aims to hold the oil company employees between Canada and Enbridge offers money to tribes (Al ing oil prices, l00,000 workers laid off in industry accountable in two ways: through the US. Meanwhile, another Enbridge bat- Monaco made over $l4 million last year), the oil industry, cuts or cancellations of financial damages, and by forcing them to tle is heating up in Wisconsin, where the that’s about half of what the company tar sands projects, other fossil fuel compa- fund a public relations campaign that pipeline company has been forced to create offered Red Lake for forty years of tres- nies are moving into cut their risk. British counters years of mistruths and misdirec- a new corridor outside of the Bad River passing. While they still have the money, Petroleum announced to share holders tions in service of climate denial. Reservation. Seeking eminent domain of let’s make a good choice for our future.

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http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 5 NEWS Domestic violence advocacy service created by Natives for Natives

BY MAURITA BEGAY optional for the user to answer, before pressing the Start Chat button to trongHearts Native Helpline begin a session. To close a chat at any is a national nonprofit organ- time, the user can click on the X in S ization based in Minnesota the top right corner of the chat win- dedicated to providing advocacy serv- dow, followed by pressing the End ices for domestic violence and dating Chat button. To ensure safety, users violence victims in Native American should clear the online history before communities. The organization is a withdrawing from their device. The collaborative product of The National National Domestic Violence Hotline Domestic Violence Hotline and the has a similar service available at National Indigenous Women’s https://www.thehotline.org. Resource Center. All advocates of StrongHearts The concept of StrongHearts Native Native Helpline are trained to provide Helpline was conceived in 2012 when crisis intervention, safety planning, reports showed that calls from Native education, advocacy, and referrals to American communities were lower in callers, and their training is supple- comparison to other communities, mented with learning how to respond despite the well known statistics for in a culturally sensitive manner in higher domestic violence rates in Lori Jumper is the Director of StrongHearts Native Helpline, a nonprofit organization high stress situations. In fact, all of Indian Country. dedicated to providing advocacy services for domestic violence and dating violence StrongHearts Native Helpline’s advo- Staff of The National Domestic victims in Native American communities. (Photo courtesy of StrongHearts.) cates are Native American. Violence Hotline brainstormed ways “A lot of times they [callers] will ask, to better serve the Native American justice are.’ And so, they ultimately Native Helpline website, “Many ‘Well, are you native?’ And our advo- community, “and actually, what advo- agreed that it would be most appro- Native and non-Native domestic vio- cates, we don’t provide a lot of per- cates from across the country said was, priate to form a Native American cul- lence experts agree that the prevalence sonal information about ourselves, ‘Well, you can’t. You know, that’s not turally specific helpline to help Native of violence in Indian Country is a but we will say, ‘Yes. Yeah, I am.’ They your place – to serve Native Americans from our communities,” modern effect of the historical trauma brief the caller [about their tribal affil- Americans. You don’t understand says Lori Jumper, Director of that our people continue to experi- iation] and there’s such a relief that what our lived experience is. You StrongHearts Native Helpline. ence… [A 2010 study conducted by they don’t have to explain their expe- don’t understand what our barriers to According to the StrongHearts the CDC] found that more than four rience. The advocates will often say, in five American Indian and Alaska ‘And then she just really started to Native women had experienced vio- talk and she really opened up when lence in their lifetime, and one in she found out that I was native.’ So, three had experienced violence within we know just from the reports of our THE CIRCLE SPONSORS the past year.” advocates, that our callers really find StrongHearts Native Helpline was it valuable to be talking to somebody established in March 2017, and oper- that understands where they’re com- ated in Austin, Texas, where The ing from,” said Jumper. National Domestic Violence Hotline The culturally sensitive training that is based, for two years before moving all of StrongHearts Native Helpline to Minnesota in the Twin Cities advocates receive includes historical region, due to it being an area that has and cultural background information a native population and more accessi- that helps to understand the condi- ble native programming. tions that native communities face At first, StrongHearts Native today. It’s immensely critical that Helpline provided services only by advocates are able to empathize with phone. All of StrongHearts Native the struggle to find help in close-knit Helpline’s advocacy services are avail- communities where there is an immi- able daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. nent fear of judgement or rejection Central Time at 1-844-762-8483. If a from one’s own friends and family. caller needs services outside of oper- Jumper describes the training. “We ation hours, they can call The talk about Native American spiritual- National Domestic Violence Hotline ity, but we certainly can’t teach that for 24/7 service at 1-800-787-3224. in terms of there being 574 Native However, as of May 18, 2020, American tribes, and we all have our StrongHearts Native Helpline own traditions and ceremonies. And, launched their online chat advocacy while there may be similarities, each services, which provides one-on-one, tribe is different, but we do provide real-time, confidential sessions with a them [advocates] with basic training trained advocate. The launch of this in that: understanding our relation- service was pushed forward due to the ship to all living things; that respect coronavirus pandemic, as it is a safer that all Native American tribes have… method of communication while shel- And, in my small town, there were tering in place with an abusive partner. many times that the mainstream pro- These services can be accessed at gram, the non-native program, was https://www.strongheartshelpline.org like, ‘Well, why don’t you just go to THANK YOU during operation hours. On the web- your tribe for help?’ site, there will be a series of non-iden- FOR SUPPORTING THE CIRCLE tifying demographics questions, – CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 –

6 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 7 “Covid/protests bring food shortage” continued from cover “Would you believe? Three hundred Hugo and it works with urban garden- Mary LeGarde, executive director, said All My Relations Arts will resume as people volunteered,” she said. ing projects. The Sioux Chef, the initial plans were set to house the market a gallery in October, if current plans sur- A family called and asked what was Minneapolis-based Indigenous food in MAIC’s large gymnasium. That would vive the summer and whatever other needed at the All My Relations Arts business started by Sean Sherman, have help users and staff with proper crises may arise, said Angela Two Stars, site. “Shelving, we said. They showed dropped off 200 tomatoes, leeks, pep- COVID-19 social distancing. the gallery’s director. up and started measuring walls. pers and other transplantable vegetable That plan, however, got changed “I am very proud that the center was Shelving was installed.” plants for people to start their own because Migizi Communications needed able to serve the community in such a Dry goods groceries, paper products urban gardens. use of that space for its summer youth rapid response to what was happening and personal hygiene items were Now, when the food shelf gets prod- program. Migizi’s new building site on in the Cities,” Two Stars said, although dropped off. The food shelf, calling itself ucts such as diapers, it shares with Little Lake Street was destroyed in the riot- she is excited about returning “to serve the “NACDI Free Market,” needed Earth of United Tribes for its families. ing. the community through the arts.” freezer and refrigeration equipment to It also “partners,” or works with senior LeGarde said the gallery space has Food can be picked up from 1 to 3 expand into handling meats, milk and housing programs as well, Swann said. advantages by allowing people leaving p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and perishable fruits and vegetables. All this expands community cooper- with food to use a side entrance to Saturdays in the parking lot at Pow A quick fundraising effort followed. ation and further shows what more return to Franklin Avenue. Wow Grounds. Donations for the food A freezer and refrigeration was installed. work and cooperation is needed before Meanwhile, MAIC is weighing which shelf are accepted from 3 to 6 p.m. those As to be expected, the flow and quan- things return to “normal,” whatever that of its currently idled programs to restart same days. tities of goods to the food shelf were means or may mean in the future. in July or later, LeGarde said. It does As people get ready to visit nontradi- unpredictable. Swann and volunteers The food scarcity and delivery system want to get its fitness program restarted tional food sites, such as food shelves, formed partnerships with other groups for the neighborhood will get a boost in among programs shut down by the coro- and visit Farmers’ Markets, a number in the neighborhood. mid-July. navirus, she said. of government and health sites offer “We are partnered with DIW The Four Sisters Farmers Market, The Gathering Café remains closed to helpful information for staying healthy. (Division of Indian Works) officially which would normally be open by now the general public but it does serve as The Minnesota Farmers’ Market and we have worked with the different if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, is the kitchen for MAIC’s ongoing pro- Association recommends these site: urban tribal offices in the area as well,” set to open July 16 in the parking lot in gram for feeding elderly. https://www.mda.state.mn.us Swann said. She said people connected front of the Pow Wow Grounds, said Colette Lawrence, MAIC’s elder meals https://www.health.state.mn.us to Facebook on the Internet should Elizabeth Day, NACDI’s Community delivery coordinator who also heads sim- https://www.cdc.gov monitor the American Indian Cultural Engagement Programs manager. That ilar nutrition programming at the Elders https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19 Corridor Food Distribution Sites for will make easier access to fresh produce Lodge in St. Paul, said center drivers https://www.mda.state.mn.us/covid- information to monitor needs and see and food products from vendors who currently deliver meals to 25 elders in 19-agriculture what Native organizations are doing in operate Native farms and produce the community. The city of Minneapolis offers addi- response to food insecurity and for get- locally made and grown foods. She and LeGarde said they are hopeful tional information for vendors, food sell- ting information out to the community. The food shelf itself is getting ready to the coronavirus threat will lessen and ers and their customers at The food shelf also works with Dream move a few doors to the east into what allow more congregate dining soon for http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/ of Wild Health. It provides produce from is the art gallery at the Minneapolis elders and others who would normally inspections/farmermarket. its healthy and Indigenous foods farm at American Indian Center (MAIC). use the center.

8 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org “Little Earth Housing” continued from cover Jones said it was a group of young men who put the plan. Another goal everyone dreams of is having fund- street signs up to block the roads into Little Earth ing to keep regular, resident-driven security for Little Housing a day before, the same night LaPointe stood Earth. outside the first time. That action prompted the block- “I would like to see our community continue to ades and since then the protection has continued to police itself. There are a lot of people here that would evolve as needs have change in the communty, includ- take pride in that,” Buehlmann said. “We could posing giving the title “The Protectors” to Native people sibly make something of this and see less crime. If we standing gaurd to protect their community. stepped in before the police do, I think we could stop “Four weeks later it’s a lot calmer. We’re trying to a lot of violence.” keep the drugs out and do better for our community,” Jones said if they could receive funding then people Jones said. “It’s a lot better than getting shot at by the working, like young men, could receive a stipend. She cops. says to show them they can protect their community “We’re basically patrolling our neighborhood and would make them feel purposeful. She said it’s the making sure people who are non-residents are not men that have been so badly abused by the authorities. admitted in,” said long-time resident and LaPointe’s LaPointe agrees, saying it’s an opportunity for young husband, John Buehlmann. “We report anything that men to find their identity. looks off.” LaPointe and Buehlmann have concerns for the Buehlmann and LaPointe were out every night for The Little Earth Protectors defend the community against dwindling numbers in protectors as well. Overdoses three weeks as part of the night watch. Buehlmann looters and police. and gun violence, among a variety of outside threats, said they are keeping an eye on the neighborhood and continue to be an issue even in smaller numbers. They were noticing that there were a lot of people trying to makes all the difference. “Every time we think we’re say funding could be the answer to the longevity of come in with drugs – those are the people they want done, we’re not done,” she said. “This might just The Protectors, and could also provide much needed to keep out. become a way of life for us. We’re community polic- income for their men as well. “All this means trying to keep my community safe ing.” Though one thing is certain, as their system and and helping my fellow neighbor,” Buehlmann said. LaPointe said the night they were attacked, she was needs continues to evolve, the feeling of community “We are all Mitakuye Oyasin, we are all related. I look amazed at the way community came out to fight for remains. at these younger kids and I am looking out for them. their homes, “We were going to do whatever we could “We were all out here side by side, all together, all Hopefully, they will look out for me in the future.” to keep people safe. The mission was and is still to for one effort to protect our community,” LaPointe Jones says there are about 1000 people that live in keep our homes safe.” said. “This whole effort branches out to good health, Little Earth and about 600 of those are kids, half under The Little Earth Protectors, made up of between 30- Wicozani – a good way of being with each other. It’s the age of ten. 50 residences, gather every night at 9:30 for a meal changed and it’s getting better.” The Protectors noticed a large dip in traffic early on. before they are sent off to their posts at 10 p.m. On a “This is the time. There is so much going on with Though the riots have halted, the effectiveness of these good night they’ll head in around 2:30. Rain or shine, the police and there are so many good people that watches has not. Jones said the traffic that would oth- warm or freezing, there are groups on every corner. would step up,” Beuhlmann said. “I believe we could erwise take advantage of their residents has slowed A goal Jones has from this experience is to team up make a good community that way and build from down. She said the fact that it is community driven with other organizations to create an official disaster this.” HONOR YOUR BODY AND YOUR CULTURE The Indian Health Board is your place for STD screening, birth control, and sexual health education. We’re your partner in keeping your health — and your culture — at the forefront. Call 612-721-9800 to schedule an appointment

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 9 P ROFILES: N ATIVE A MERICANS IN S PORTS – BY D AN N INHAM Chris Jourdain: continuing the Red Lake youth basketball movement

he youth basketball movement started an afterschool program that went at the Red Lake Nation travels all over the state playing in any tourna- T throughout Indian Country ment I could get them into.” and beyond. Life lessons are learned “As the years went on, I realized the with wins and losses along the way. One impact a coach can have and started of the aspiring leader’s in the movement focusing on more than just the game,” on and off the sidelines is Chris said Jourdain. “We always encouraged Jourdain. the teams to not only represent the Chris Jourdain, 45, is a member of the Ogichidaag (Warriors) name on the jer- Red Lake Nation. His Indian name is sey, but the Red Lake Nation as a whole, “Forever Lasting Earth.” His clan is Bear as well as their families.” and he and his family live in the Little “We would let our game talk, leave it Rock District on the Red Lake all on the floor, respect the officials and Reservation in northern Minnesota. opposing teams,” said Jourdain. Jourdain was a three-sport athlete “I am a continuous learner of not only almost three decades ago at St. John’s basketball, but effective communica- Prep in Collegeville, Minn., Red Lake tion, leadership and motivation,” said High School and Heart of the Earth Jourdain. Survival School in Minneapolis. “Coach Dan Ninham has always been Jourdain is a leader as the Chef de in my corner and gave me a few oppor- Mission with Team Minnesota for the tunities to coach some high school All- North American Indigenous Games Star games in the middle of my career,” (NAIG). He is also the Red Lake School said Jourdain. “He also shared his phi- Board Chairman. losophy that it’s not run and gun, it’s He coached youth basketball at the run and score.” middle school boys’ level and elementary “Jeff McCarron, Pacesetter Basketball boys’ and girls’ feeder programs in Red Director, is another one that I am thank- Lake since 2005. ful for,” said Jourdain. “His tourna- “My brother Ira was in second grade ments gave us the opportunity to play and asked if I could teach him how to against high caliber teams. He invited play basketball,” said Jourdain. “We our high school teams to the Pacesetter

2016 Pacesetter MIT Champions. (Photo courtsey of Chris Jourdain.)

Sweet 16 including the top four teams ethic they had.” in each class from A to AAAA. We “I let our youth know with that same faced the powerhouse Hopkins ethic they too could become a great ath- team, where I coached against a former lete,” added Jourdain. Gopher great Richard Coffey, who was “For most student-athletes, high school coaching his son Amir.” sports are the only years they'll get to play “Nolan Desjarlait, Sr., Red Lake HS at that level of competition,” said Athletic Director, Randy Holthusen, Jourdain. “We do have more of our stu- our head girls’ basketball coach, and dent-athletes going on to play college ball.” Gerald Kingbird, Sr. are a few I have “One of the most memorable leaned on for support, along with X’s moments was coaching the 2017 North and O’s. Paul D. Jones is a business part- American Indigenous Games (NAIG) 9th Posting Guardian ad Litem ner, author, mentor and friend who has 14U gold medal boys’ basketball game Full-Time (1.0 FTE) ICWA Guardian ad Litem-9th District taught me a lot on personal leadership in Toronto, Ontario against Team Beltrami County to advocate for the best interests of abused and motivation,” added Jourdain. British Columbia,” said Jourdain. “The and neglected children serving the Beltrami County area. There was a time when outstanding noise in the gym rivaled any big game Visit www.mncourts.gov to apply. high school and college coaches came atmosphere that I ever experienced. It to Red Lake on their basketball tour was a back-and-forth contest and due to Deadline is Friday July 17 at 4:30 p.m. EOE stops of regional communities. The list injuries, we had just five players in the included Bob Hurley, Sr., Kelvin second half. The game came down to 6th Posting Guardian ad Litem Sampson, and Red Lake’s own Ben free throws in the final minute, and we Strong. These coaches not only inspired Full-Time (1.0 FTE) ICWA Guardian ad Litem-6th District held on to get the win!” added Jourdain. the youth but also the local coaches. “I like to get kids to see the goal, then St. Louis County to advocate for the best interests of abused “To be successful you have to put the I lay out the groundwork I think it takes and neglected children serving the St. Louis County area. work in on the front end,” said Jourdain. to get there, and have success to prove Visit www.mncourts.gov to apply. “I point out some of our former players that it can work if they buy into the Deadline is Thursday July 9 at 4:30 p.m. EO they grew up watching, and the work plan,” added Jourdain.

10 July 2020 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]

Columbus has fallen Speaking of chaotic scenes, two We’re halfway through 2020 and the sprawling homeless camps have hits keep coming. sprung up in Powderhorn Park. We I’ve generally kept away from the live two blocks from the idyllic 66- protests seeking justice for George acre South Minneapolis park, so this FREE Floyd (because COVID-19); but I is quite a surprise. The two camps on joined the June 7 Native march for opposite sides of the park now num- ANNUAL racial justice. There was a rally with ber about 400 tents. The encamp- some speeches at the Minneapolis ments have been dubbed the CHECKUPS American Indian Center, then the Powderhorn Sanctuary. FOR THOSE UNDER 21 group of 150 protesters hit the streets. On a recent visit, I talked to Kyle The march wound through the Wilson (Diné), who is a facilitator and Phillips neighborhood and by Little spokesperson for the east camp, on Earth. In the intersection of Lake and 14th Avenue South. A conversation Cedar there was a Round Dance. The with him was interrupted about every street protest ended at 38th and 30 seconds by camp residents bringing KEEP YOUR Chicago, the spot where Minneapolis up various concerns. At one point, a cops murdered Floyd. The intersec- man with a hammer was about to tion has been blocked off to vehicular break into a locked storage shed and CHILD traffic and is a sacred space; I don’t had to be persuaded to desist. how the memorial there will be main- As people arranged tarps in prepa- tained in the months to come. ration for a deluge that was in the HEALTHY On June 10, a protest at the State forecast, Kyle noted that the mood in Capitol climaxed with the Christopher the camp changed by the hour and by Columbus statue being toppled from the day. its pedestal by American Indian pro- Many readers will recall that home- testers. The monumental to the geno- lessness in Minneapolis gained a GET STARTED AT cidal Genoese explorer has been on higher profile in 2018, when a pre- U21Checkups.com the Capitol grounds since 1931. dominantly American Indian home- Prior to the toppling, American less camp appeared along a highway Indian Movement (AIM) activist sound barrier on Hiawatha Avenue, Mike Forcia talked to a State Patrol near East Phillips Park. It was named captain “sent to the scene to encour- the Wall of Forgotten Natives. As win- age protesters to follow a legal process ter set in, many of the camp residents for removing the statue,” according moved to what was called a navigation to a Star Tribune report. “Forcia said center, large Quonset-type huts they had tried that route many times erected near the Franklin Avenue and it had not worked.” LRT station. A rope was arranged around the Earlier this year, Quarantine Camp, statue’s neck, and Forcia asked Native a homeless camp with several dozen women to line up and tug on the rope. tents, was established near Hiawatha The statue hit the deck and a celebra- Avenue and 28th Street. When the tion ensued. Minneapolis uprising occurred at the I contacted Forcia at the end of end of May, that camp was shut down June, asked if he’d heard anything and many residents moved to the about a criminal complaint being filed Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown for premeditated statue pulling down. Hotel, near Chicago and Lake, which He expected that charges would be was commandeered as a homeless filed soon. shelter. The scene at the Sheraton soon got out of hand and the resi- Powderhorn Sanctuary dents were evicted. Some of them Minneapolis used to be a quiet were set up with tents on the west side Midwestern city, but things have of Powderhorn Park and, in mid-June, changed. the encampment spread to the east For example, there was a Saturday side of the park. night gunfight recently in the Uptown At this writing, the Minneapolis entertainment district. Initial reports Park and Recreation Board is set to said that 12 people, all in their 20s, vote on a proposal to limit homeless were wounded in the shooting, and camps to a maximum of 10 tents in one person had died. 10 city parks. If the proposal passes, The reports later were corrected, it would doom the Powderhorn when it was discovered that the sole Sanctuary, and the residents would fatality actually had been shot in once again be scattered across the city. downtown Minneapolis. Apparently, You’d think that a functioning gov- everyone went to HCMC to get ernment would be able to arrive at a patched up and, amid the chaos, the compassionate solution to the prob- victims were all lumped together in lem of people who are unhoused. the Uptown carnage.

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 11 NEWS Protesters bring down Columbus statue

People stand around the toppled Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul in June. (Photo by Evan Frost / MPR News.)

BY AP AND MRP NEWS He described it as an act of “civil dis- obedience” and said “there will be consequences” for the person who led it. n June 9th, protesters in John Harrington, the state’s public Minnesota pulled down a safety commissioner, said the State Ostatue of Christopher Patrol officer in charge on the ground Columbus outside the State Capitol at the Capitol made the decision not to amid continuing anger over the police intervene to stop removal of the statue. killing of George Floyd. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a member The protesters threw a rope around of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, said the 10-foot bronze statue and pulled it the current process for deciding what is off its stone pedestal. displayed at the Capitol is “not well The protesters, led by Mike Forcia defined” and needs to get better and with the Bad River Band of Lake more accessible. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CIRCLE Superior Chippewa, said they consider “I’m not going to perform for folks. I’m Columbus a symbol of genocide against not going to feign sadness. I will not shed a tear over the loss of a statue that hon- q CHECK IF THIS IS A RENEWAL Native Americans. The Minnesota State Patrol told the group that they could fill ored someone that by of his own admis- PLEASE CIRCLE YOUR CHOICE * 1 YEAR 2 YEAR out paperwork to have the statue sion sold 9- and 10-year-old girls into sex removed, but they said they had tried slavery. So, let us start there,” Flanagan FIRST CLASS MAIL (ARRIVES IN 2-3 DAYS, ENVELOPED) $37 $70 many times to remove it through the said during a press conference with Walz INTERNATIONAL (FIRST CLASS, ENVELOPED) $42 $80 political process, but without success. and state DFL legislative leaders. SUPPORTING (FIRST CLASS, FOR LARGE ORGANIZATIONS) $70 $140 “We don’t have to wait for the state,” The protest followed a similar incident * CHECKS SENT FOR LESS THEN THE CORRECT AMOUNT WILL BE RETURNED. Forcia said. “We don’t have to wait for night in Richmond, Va., where protest- the process because we’ve already waited ers pulled down a Columbus statue in far too long.” a city park, set it on fire and rolled it q I have enclosed $______for the subscription circled above. Forcia said he wants the input of into a nearby lake. Dakota people on what to do next since The Republican assistant minority q Please charge my credit card account: q Visa q American Express q Discover the statue was on Dakota land. leader in the Minnesota House, Jim Nash They also demanded justice for Floyd, of Waconia, released a statement express- Card# Expiration who died May 25 after a Minneapolis ing his dismay, saying he was “frustrated

Name on card police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s and alarmed the decision was made to neck and held it there even after he not deploy sufficient State Trooper pres- Signature stopped struggling. ence in order to protect property. There State Patrol troopers in helmets, who pro- is a process to petition the removal of art- vide security in the Capitol complex, stood work at the Capitol, pulling it down with Please send my subscription to: by at a distance but did not try to stop the a rope isn’t that process.” protesters, who celebrated afterward with But Flanagan, who was at a press con- Native American singing and drumming. ference hours earlier in which Public Safety NAME The troopers eventually formed a line Commissioner John Harrington noted he ADDRESS to protect the toppled statue so it could was aware of the move by some to remove be taken away. the statue, tweeted later: “All Minnesotans “There will be consequences” should feel welcome at the Minnesota State CITY STATE ZIP Asked about the toppling of the Capitol, and our state is long overdue for statue, Gov. Tim Walz called it a dan- a hard look at the symbols, statues, and COUNTRY PHONE gerous act and said he was surprised at icons that were created without the input SEND TO: THE CIRCLE, 3045 BLOOMINGTON AVE, BOX 7506, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407 how loosely it was moored. of many of our communities.

THE CIRCLE IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION. • P HONE: 612-722-3686 “I certainly do not condone, nor is this Website: www.thecirclenews.org • E-mail: [email protected] the right way to go about this change.” Minnesota Public Radio News can be heard Walz told reporters. on MPR’s statewide radio network or online.

12 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org ARTS Encyclopedia of Am. Indian History & Culture - a different kind of history book

The tribes are listed by region of ori- gin. The Sioux, or Dakota, are in the Plains Region and the Ojibwe, also known as Chippewa or Anishinabe, are included in the Northeast Region. The Sioux page describes legendary leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, as well as the Dakota’s wide expanse of land throughout the central US. Mention is made of trade with the French and support for the British in the Revolutionary War. Also, brief mention is made of the Dakota nation’s violent conflicts such as the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, Red Cloud’s War, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The Ojibwe page explains the migra- tion of the people before the 1600s from the St. Lawrence River region National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of on the East Coast to the Great Lakes American Indian History and Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More regions from Michigan to North by Cynthia O'Brien (Author) Dakota. The encyclopedia credits the October 2019 Ojibwe with inventing the birch bark Age Range: 8 - 12 years canoe, a lightweight mode of trans- Grade Level: 3 - 7 portation that moved quickly through the region’s many interconnected BY DEBORAH LOCKE rivers and lakes. Like the Sioux, the Ojibwe had good trade relationships with the French, and fought territory two-page photo spread in the wars with the Iroquois to the east and “Encyclopedia of American the Dakota Sioux to the west. A Indian History & Culture” One might argue that the above are shows Natives as sentinels, single file puny introductions, but encyclopedias and hand-in-hand at the Standing Rock by definition stretch broadly without Reservation in North Dakota in 2016. room for depth. Fortunately, the edi- The powerful image shows faces of tors had the sense to make the color- strength and joy at the end of a day of ful and often touching images the protests, and includes a short excerpt heart of the book. There’s a 1800s-era on the nature of the protest to protect black and white photo of four little the tribe’s water source. Wyandotte boys who could pass as Looking for a different kind of history That brevity of explanation is the kids from any Minnesota Dakota com- book? Want to jump start your imagi- nature of an encyclopedia. It gives just munity. The Grand Ronde drummers nation with wonderful photos that enough information to whet an appetite easily resemble any drum group you’ll depict the staying power of American for more. The photos – from public and see at a Minnesota powwow. Indians? private collections across North A quick look shows how the book This is it. American – are among the best you will nicely depicts what tribes have in com- ever see of Native history and life today. mon, and it as effectively shows dif- “Encyclopedia of American Indian Published by National Geographic, the ferences due to geography, resources History & Culture” edited by Cynthia book portrays the past and present and history. A striking two-page photo O’Brien, published by National through timelines, traditional stories, shows a Navajo woman feeding her Geographic (2019; $24.99) maps and more that profile 160 tribes sheep on the Arizona border. Another from eight regions of North America . photo shows the specialized nets used The book is publicized as a resource by the Tolowa to harvest smelt from for “young” readers, but it could fit the ocean. Another photo shows nicely on the shelf of readers of any age Seneca men playing lacrosse. Three who want an introduction to American little Inuit girls from Alaska are Indians. On a back book cover in tiny shown in warm ceremonial coats and print, you’ll find names and vitae of leggings. tribal members who contributed to the Small stories appear throughout the content, like Anton Treuer (Ojibwe), a book that are perfect for reading aloud ENVISION.

Bemidji State University professor, and to a child. “The Rabbit and the Frog” PLAN. VIRGINIA Dan SaSuWeh Jones (Ponka), a former tells an age-old parable about trust, DESIGN. tribal chairman now with the Oklahoma and includes a sweet photo of a white EVALUATE. Indian Affairs Commission. rabbit. Another story explains why DETAIL. BUILD. Oshkaybewis. The review and contributions by turkeys have red eyes. Another story CELEBRATE. We are Helping to Build Indigenous Nations.

American Indians suggests that National explains how the coyote gained powers. CITIES TWIN Geographic ensured that many experts The encyclopedia is a picture book at vetted the content. One likes to think its best, melding historical fact with (651) 784-7924 that the days when everyone but Indians brilliant photography and appealing dsgw.com Connect with us on Facebook! wrote about Indians are long past. to readers of all ages. DULUTH

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective July 2020 13 – STRONGHEARTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 – found that our relatives that call us Native Helpline advocates do confer https://www.strongheartshelpline.org. tend to need more of that. Because callers with other needs and find Advocacy services can also be Like, they have no concept of how our communities are so small, it could appropriate support for them. accessed by calling 1-844-762-8483 close and tight those communities are be hard to reach out for help in your The Helpline is the first and only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central and how we’re all related,” said own community. If they [callers] don’t national helpline available exclusively Standard Time. Jumper. feel like they can do that, then they for Native Americans, and they plan To find more information about The Jumper said that within the first year need somebody to talk to, and our to continue their development. National Domestic Violence Hotline, of operation, it was quite evident that helpline is completely anonymous and Looking forward, the organization will or to chat online with a trained advo- culturally specific services for Native confidential,” affirms Jumper. be training advocates to respond to cate, see https://www.thehotline.org. Americans are sparse. There is a Ultimately, the StrongHearts Native sexual violence, as there is not a Advocacy services can also be tremendous lack of tribal services pro- Helpline’s mission is to empower and national helpline service available to accessed by calling 1-800-787-3224. vided for domestic violence victims, validate each of their callers needs, Native Americans for this matter yet. The National Domestic Violence with only 60 tribal shelters available and to educate them about domestic It is scheduled to launch in late sum- Hotline, a 24/7 service. across the country. This creates an violence and their options available mer. They also hope to hire enough To learn about safely using the unjust predicament for those who for handling their situation. They are advocates to become a 24/7 service online chat advocacy services, read don’t want to or can’t leave their com- also committed to providing ongoing for our relatives by fall. As the “Behind the Screens: Reducing Tech munity to find help. support and connecting callers back StrongHearts Native Helpline works Footprints” by the National Domestic “The majority of people that call us to a service that’s in their community. to recruit more advocates, they con- Violence Hotline. The information is really need that validation and sup- And, although their expertise is in tinue to be a vital service created by at https://bit.ly/2BhRXL9. port that our advocates provide… We domestic violence, StrongHearts Native Americans for Native To learn more about the National Americans. Indigenous Women’s Resource For more information about Center, whose mission is dedicated to Support The Circle! StrongHearts Native Helpline, or to restoring sovereignty and safeguarding chat online with a trained advocate native women and children, visit Please consider becoming a supporting donor of The Circle. Your contribution during operation hours, you can visit https://www.niwrc.org. will help The Circle continue to cover news, arts, and events in Minnesota’s Native American community, the only non-tribally owned newspaper in – NATIVE FACE VOTING OBSTACLES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 – Minnesota. This is a great way to let your friends, colleagues, and co-workers To this point, main arguments for primary and Nov. 3 general elections know that you support an important service in the Indian community. And you’ll opposing vote-by-mail plans and thus are underway. have the joy of knowing your money is going to a worthy service. deny thousands their right to vote are built around trying to protect against • Minnesota voter registration voter fraud. information can be accessed at: Supporting Donor Levels: CBS’ 60 Minutes program on June 28 https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterR r Editor Supporter: $500+ noted that Oregon, which is exclusively egistration/VoterRegistrationMain.aspx, a vote-by-mail state, had well over 2 mil- and at Minnesota county election r Print Supporter: $400 - $499 lion votes case in the last election and offices. r Office Supporter: $300 - $399 had 22 cases of voter fraud. Minnesota, • News about the League of Women meanwhile, had more than 2.9 million Voters of Minnesota efforts to increase r Cover Stories Supporter: $200 - $299 votes cast in 2016 and had even fewer vote-by-mail registrations can be found r Arts & Cultural Stories Supporter: $100 - $199 cases of suspected voter fraud. at https://www.lwvmn.org/league-news. Courthouse News summed up that • The NARF report, Obstacles at r Columnist Supporter: $50- $99 experience: “Minnesota convicted 11 Every Turn: Barriers to Political r people for voter fraud in 2016, primarily Participation Faced by Native American Community News Supporter: $1- $49 felons who said they didn’t know they Voters, can be seen online at: were not allowed to vote.” https://vote.narf.org/wp-content/ Absentee voting in Minnesota began uploads/2020/06/obstacles_at_every_ All individual donations are 100% tax deductible. on June 26. Registering, both online turn.pdf?_ga and at county offices, for the Aug. 11

NAME

ADDRESS Montessori American Indian Childcare Center CITY Position Announcement: Montessori Primary Guide

STATE ZIP The Montessori American Indian Childcare Center, in St. Paul, MN is in DAY PHONE search of a qualified Montessori Primary Guide for children 3-6-years of age. EMAIL ADDRESS The Primary Guide must have an AMI diploma. A four-year college degree is required. We are searching for a reliable, trustworthy, and innovative Montessori Primary Guide to join our excellent school. The Guide helps I am enclosing a contribution in the amount of $ direct the children’s development academically, emotionally, and physically My check is enclosed, made payable to The Circle. in a prepared and peaceful Montessori environment that challenges each child to reach his/her fullest potential. Interested candidates should be r I would like my name to appear in the donor section. excited to work in a community directed and culturally inspired Montessori r I would like to donate in honor of school. Knowledge of the American Indian community preferred r I prefer to remain anonymous. and/or experience working in cultural communities. Full job description can be found at: www. americanindianmontessori.net Send checks to: The Circle, 3045 Bloomington Ave, #7506, Minneapolis, MN 55407. For more information, call Cat Whipple at 612-722-3686 Email: [email protected] FOR RENT Website: www.thecirclenews.org Find your new home with At Home Apartments. Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApts.com for an The Circle is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. apartment or town home. Equal Housing Opportunity.

14 July 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org IT AIN’T EASY BEING INDIAN – BY RICEY WILD sjdfzxjmeAipunbjm/dpn

community, too. We miss your nickels. beyond any horror point, and disgust of it did. I totally ugly-cried and scared my Well, this was not in my original human beings who only exist to amplify fur babies. Mitzi came up to me and thoughts on how to begin this July 2020 racism. licked my tears away and it was hard to column. But I’ma just go with it. I’ve I lived most of my life as a keep up. cried more this past month than since Minneapolitan and cried to see my Since then I have been cheering on my mom would not change my wet beloved hometown burn. The worst part the masses who know history and the nappy. Truth?! I’m beyond traumatized, is I have loved ones who live there and many honorable Americans who should sickened and lonely. This place is in my I feared and prayed for their safety. I be honored, and who were not traitor- depressive deepest black hole. I know could literally do nothing to help. After ous to the US. I would like to have this time is not all about me, it is about George Floyd was murdered by the thought that we’ve come a long way all of us sentient beings as a whole, our MPD I held and rocked myself trying since 50 years ago, but no. Those geno- last chance at survival as a people. to get through at least the initial grief cidal, racist and evil men have to go. I’ve written, and believe, that this gor- and had no one to hold me. George Maybe put a ‘Karen’ statue up; we get geous little blue world that allows us to could have been my brother, my friend the point. And yet still, ya’ll wanna get live on it (it should be ‘with it’) is better or neighbor. Rest in Power George. Your non-pink. Hmm! I just remembered off without our destruction of Her daughter Gianna said it best, “My that’s a thing too. resources. I believe we were seeded and Daddy changed the World!” So, why do pink people wanna get tan? ne thing I know for sure is have failed in a spectacularly genocidal Gianna is a baby yet but is proud of Then they expect all the privileges that that I was born “Indian” as and homicidal fashion. My prayers are the changes that his death has sparked their immigrant heritage is given as a O written on my birth certifi- now with the natural species that inhabit a global movement. For the good of us member of the imagined superior race. cate. I now know that is an outdated this Earth recover their populations and all. What gets me is that George’s Well, for starters, we Indigenous People appellation and for the record I am continue their purpose here. We need brother Philonise Floyd testified in all know that to be untrue. In fact, the Anishinaabekwe, a woman of my to leave them alone and I’m pretty sure Congress that had George known his most civilized of human beings live with Nation. So please, my Indigenous they won’t miss us. death would spark a positive movement Earth, not on it. Silly Europeans think brethren, don’t trip on or focus on I’m speculating there will be horror he would have given his life for it. I cry. that ‘Man’ is to dominate the natural semantics. YOU are a singular person stories about humans to scare their little And I pray. world. Hehe! of your Nation, as am I, a member of ones into behaving, but that’s a whole It was on June 10th, the day the Sadly, the imminent truth is already The Fond du Lac Band of Lake ‘nother thought. Christopher Columbus statue came upon us; climate change. For many, Superior Chippewa. My thoughts, grief, love and heavy down in St. Paul, MN, that I became a many years now we have been warned I take much pride in being part of heart are with the George Floyd family tsunami of emotion. Mike Forcia of about this. Covid-19 is here to make it such a small microcosm of society. If and everyone who suffered a loved one’s AIM Minneapolis invited me personally clear. Personally, I don’t wanna go out you have time, look us up. We are not death at the knee or guns of police. I to be there. I was in Spirit. What I did like that, I wanna watch and see what only survivors but thrivers who take care feel like I’m in a static state where this not expect was the violent and cleansing happens next. not only of our own but the pinkish systemic pink domination has reached rage of emotion to go through me like

2020 CIRCLE AD RATES

DISPLAY RATES

Ad Sizes Width X Height Net Rate HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY

Full Page 10-1/8” x 12-1/2” $1,200 ADVISORY BOARD SEEKS NOMINATIONS This notice is an open call for nominations for community leaders to serve on 3/4 Page 10-1/8” x 9-1/4” $900 the Hennepin Healthcare Community Advisory Board (CAB). CAB is an advisory group of volunteer members who are representative of the patient 1/2H Page 10-1/8” x 6-1/8” $650 community served by Hennepin Healthcare, which includes residents of Hennepin County, the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, and out-state regions of 1/2V Page 5” x 12-1/2” $650 Minnesota. The purpose of the CAB is to serve as an Advisory Body to the Hennepin Healthcare System Board of Directors reporting through the Mission 3/8 Page 5” x 9-1/4” $450 Effectiveness Committee. The CAB will serve as a catalyst for relationship building and partnering with community organizations, populations with 1/3 Page 6-11/16” x 6-1/8” $400 disproportionate unmet health needs, the business community and the individuals who live in the community. 1/4H Page 5” x 6-1/8” $350 To be considered for membership on the CAB, individuals can submit a letter 1/4V Page 3-5/16” x 9-1/4” $350 of interest to CAB Board Member Dan Collison at dcollison@ mplsdowntown.com or by mail to Dan Collison, 810 S 7th St, Mpls, MN 55415. 1/6 Page 3-5/16” x 6-1/8” $275 A letter of interest or recommendation for the CAB should include: • Specific reasons why the applicant would be a valuable member of the CAB 1/8 Page 5” x 3” $200 including how the nominee would strengthen or build community relationships; • Examples of the nominee’s strong connections to the community and his/her Business Card 3-1/4” x 2 $75 understanding of the needs of diverse populations. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate knowledge of Full color ads, add an extra $150 per ad. the following issues or topics: – Diverse communities Classified Ads: $30 per column inch. $60 minimum. – The health care system – Racial, age, income, and/or geographic disparities – Population or public health Send ad copy to: [email protected] (put “attention Ad sales” in head). – Minnesota’s Medicaid Program and/or social services Call Cat at 612-722-3686 for more info and discounts. – Consumer/Patient improvement programs

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