NEWS FROM Native Vote 2020: The Primaries Minnesotans cheer Washington Cooperative enterprises may lead A NATIVE and Tribal Elections team’s name change to new normal for Native business AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE 40 YEARS OF SERVING THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

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AUGUST 2020 CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS VOLUME 41, ISSUE 8

White Earth Tribe to vote on Medical Marijuana A family death can be fatal blow for Native higher education

BY LEE EGERSTROM

study conducted at Using data from a 1997 the University of study starting with 13 to 17 A Minnesota finds year-olds and 2013 data of 29 that students of color, and to 32 year-olds, the researchers especially Native American found: students, are far less likely to • 13.8 percent of Native finish college educations when American, 9.1 percent of they have experienced a death Asian, 8.3 percent of Black, in the family. 5.0 percent of Hispanic and While some academic insti- 4.2 percent of white youth tutions are developing pro- experienced a family death in grams to reach adult learners the tracked years. who have interrupted their • Young adults (age 19-22), educations, the new research when a parent or sibling died, Cannabis (marijuana) has been shown to have many health and emotional benefits, including helping with is a call for colleges and uni- were about half as likely to insomnia, PSTD, Epilepsy, some forms of cancer, and many other health related issues. versities to develop policies for graduate from college. BY WINONA LADUKE helping these students who • Adolescents of high school have drifted away. age when a sibling or parent “The findings show that it’s died seemed to be less affected n August l8 the White Earth Tribe Hibbing and one in Moorhead. Those are important to design college with finishing college degrees. will have an election. There are two pretty far apart. That makes it hard if you actu- policies that consider and sup- The researchers suggested O things on the ballot – the District ally would benefit from cannabis legally. Now port all aspects of students’ the latter may be because the Three Representative: with a choice between let’s get clear, this spring both the Harvard lives, including their own adolescents had time to Cheryl Jackson and Umsy (Eugene) Tibbetts, Medical School and Mayo Clinic did big stories health and the health of their recover from grief before start- and Medical Marijuana. That’s right, White on the benefits of cannabis to treat a wide vari- families,” said Naomi Thyden, ing college. Earth, is going to vote on legalizing medical ety of medical conditions. These include an epidemiologist and PhD Thyden said surprising dis- marijuana, according to the Tribal Council Alzheimer's disease, ALS, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, candidate at the University’s coveries included looking at Meeting Notes of July 16 . Crohns Disease, glaucoma, PTSD stress and School of Public Health. 29 to 32 year-olds. “People had That would mean that White Earth would more. It seems like Native people should get Thyden, formerly with the time to go back and finish, but be the second tribe, after Red Lake (in northern those benefits, but the closest medical mari- Minnesota Department of they hadn’t. Minnesota), to legalize Medical Marijuana. juana dispensaries are in Moorhead or Health, was the lead “It was like a window of That will make these medicines more accessible Hibbing. researcher in the study. opportunity had closed.” in the north. Currently there are only four med- Collaborators included Nicole People think of health as an ical marijuana dispensaries in Minnesota, Medical Marijuana M. Schmidt and Theresa individual issue, Thyden said. owned by two Twin Cities based corporations. The Cannabis sativa plant and it’s derivatives Osypuk, faculty with the “It really is a community-wide Red Lake’s regulations will allow for a longer are used to relieve serious and chronic symp- Division of Epidemiology and issue. You may be healthy, but approved list of diagnoses and will include toms. Cannabis sativa contains many active Community Health, and the it can have effects on you if cannabis in flower form, something not avail- compounds, but two are of interest for medical Minnesota Population Center. your community isn’t able under state regulation. Opioid addiction purposes: THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) Their findings were recently healthy.” recovery is one of the eligible conditions. and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the primary published in the academic That becomes more relevant “I hope it helps the opioid crisis, we got hit ingredient in marijuana that makes people journal Annals of Epidemiology now with the coronavirus pan- hard with that,” Kevin Jones, of the Chippewa “high”. in an article “The unequal dis- demic causing disproportion- Cannabis Party, said. “I hope that changes a There are, of course side effects: some of tribution of sibling and parent ate illness and death within lot of it and helps families bring parents, aun- them include increased heart rate, dizziness, deaths by race and its effect racial and ethnic minority ties and uncles back to where they were before. impaired concentration or memory, slower on attaining a college degree.” communities, she said. It won’t bring the ones we lost back but will reaction times, increased appetite (known as Thyden said in an interview The study was supported by make a new path for the ones on that journey the “munchies”) and in youth, it’s also a her research interests focus on the National Institutes of today.” dopamine suppressor (that’s the enzyme that institutional policies and racial Health and the Minnesota Why is it important? It’s important because motivates you). and ethnic health disparities. Population Center, with a of the nine medical marijuana dispensaries in This project’s research started grant from the Eunice Minnesota, only two are up north – one in – CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 – long before the coronavirus Kennedy Shriver National pandemic struck early this year. Institute of Child Health and 5 – MN Food shelves brace for bigger demand 12 – Book review: For Joshua But now, she said, the impact Human Development. 13 – Young grad works with Amnesty Int’l of COVID-19 on families and 10 – Native Americans in Sports 14 – Community thanks AIM for protection students “makes the research 11 – Political Matters 15 – It Ain’t Easy Being Indian all the more timely.” – CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 – 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.

2 August 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org NEW Native Vote 2020: The Primaries and the Tribal Elections BY WINONA LADUKE August l8, on a ballot which also includes a medical marijuana referendum. At any don’t actually have a dog in this turn our tribal communities and our cities, fight, I am technically a member of and the country face some major chal- I the Green Party, not a Democrat or lenges ahead, as we plan for what will be a Republican. I may not be fond of the a very different future. I for one think that candidates running for President – Joe future needs to have Native people at the Biden and Donald Trump – but what I table, not on the menu. do know is that I am going to vote, and Now just because you are a Native this year it really matters! And it’s not going doesn’t mean that you advocate for Native to be easy to vote. Pandemic voting, lack issues. Take Representative Steve Green of local polls in our tribal communities, for instance, who represents Clearwater and snafus with ballots mean that we will County and Clearbrook – with well over really need to be attentive and make sure 9000 Native voters. His voting record has that our voting rights are upheld. The best been spotty at the least, and as a represen- way to do that is to register early, and just tative, he supports Line 3 and pipeline do it. Vote! August 18 is the White Earth expansion, as well as opposing the alloca- Nation Tribal Election, and August 9 is tion of state funds to support White the Democratic primary. Earth’s recovery of land illegally taken by Why Vote? Because your vote counts the state and Clearwater County. It’s an irony for sure. Santee philosopher There’s some visionary leadership mov- The bills would allow a court to order Representative Green, on the appropri- John Trudell used to always point out that ing this country’s politics. Minnesota is anyone convicted of such offenses to pay ation, “said he is a member of the White they did not give Native people the right one of those leaders, and Lt. Governor for “the costs and expenses resulting from Earth Nation. He said that he did not want to vote until we were l% of the population. Flanagan has been part of that change the “crime”. Utke was a supporter of the to take the property, now privately owned, You can be sure that we would not have along with many of her colleagues, of all work on Missing and Murdered off the tax rolls. As a tribal member, I can elected Andrew Jackson or Knute Nelson colors. Nationally, the changes are very vis- Indigenous women, but has not been sup- tell you that property taxes are killing us,” if we could have voted. However, nationally ible, including the most visionary leader- portive of many appropriations or legisla- Green told local reporters. and statewide, we are beginning to flex ship in decades, and it’s coming from tive items in favor of Native people. Take some time and review the candi- some power and it shows. women of color – take Alexandria Ocasio In Cloquet, City Council seat in Ward dates, it matters. There’s a big push nation- The Native American population is 6.8 Cortez and Deb Haaland as examples. 5 is up in an August 11 primary, with Lyz ally to get out the vote. And Minnesota million, according to U.S. Census Bureau Freshman Democratic Rep. Alexandria Jaakola (a Fond du Lac tribal member, votes will count. We had the highest turn information from 2018. While that is rel- Ocasio-Cortez handily defeated her chal- music and culture teacher, and musician) out of any state in the 2018 mid term elec- atively small compared with the U.S. pop- lenger this past month. It was formerly faces former Mayor Dave Hallback and tion, and now we have a chance to put peo- ulation, which is nearly 330 million, the held for years by veteran Democrat Joe Dennis Painter. The city has faced layoffs ple in office again. Nationally, Native Native American population has more Crowley, who Ocasio-Cortez defeated in a at the Diamond Match plant, and more people represent one of the fastest growing than doubled the growth rate of the U.S. major upset in the 2018 midterm elections. economic shifts are to come in the pan- populations, but 34% of our eligible voters, From 2000 to 2016, the U.S. population In the Minnesota state election, candi- demic and post pandemic world, and may well over a million of us, have not registered grew 14%, while the American Indian and dates like White Earth Secretary Treasurer need some fresh eyes to solve long term to vote. Alaskan Native population experienced Alan Roy – running against long time challenges. Elsewhere in Bemidji, two Now would be a good year to get out 35% growth. Those Native people are going incumbent Senator Paul Utke – represents Native women are facing off in a City there and vote! to vote, and a lot of those people are in a potential gain for Native voters this fall. Council election, against two others, in a rural areas where Republicans have come Utke was a primary sponsor of the Anti- town where the Native community is exer- This is a personal opinion article and does to feel comfortable because Native people Protest bills targeting Native and other cising more political power. Audrey Thayer not represent Honor the Earth or voter reg- have not voted. Water Protectors, in the last legislature. and Laura Fairbanks are facing off for a istration initiatives. The election of Tim Walz and Peggy With the rise of Water Protectors and now Ward 1 seat. For more information about Native voter Flanagan (Ojibwe) has certainly changed the Black Lives Movement, anti-protest And at White Earth, two candidates – registration, see: www.nativevote.org, Minnesota’s politics, and that’s for the best. bills certainly pose a danger to civil liberties, Cheryl Jackson and Umsy Tibbetts – are www.powwowthemn.com or rockthevote.org. After all, prior to the Walz/Flanagan and target Native people. Since the pow- squaring off in the tribal election on Administration there was no strong push erful protests at Standing Rock and the for cooperation between state agencies and Keystone XL pipeline, over 20 states intro- tribal governments. Now, just attending a duced legislation attempting to silence THE CIRCLE is a 501(c)3 non-profit newspaper and is governed by Minnesota Indian Affairs Council meet- peaceful protesters – specifically targeting a board of directors from the American Indian community. ing, one can witness a dialogue between pipeline activists on the frontlines of the MANAGING EDITOR The Circle is dedicated to presenting news from a Native American forces which were adversaries in former fight for climate justice. These so-called perspective, while granting an equal opportunity to community voices. administrations. Times are changing, and “critical infrastructure” laws increase penal- CAT WHIPPLE The Circle is published monthly by The Circle Corporation, it’s time to work together – we are in a crisis ties for people speaking against fossil fuel PO Box 7506, 3045 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407. and more will come. pipelines, like Enbridge’s Line 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editorials and articles are the sole responsibility of the authors, Nationally, as progressive and younger The bills are designed to intimidate indi- CHAIRPERSON/TREASURER and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, attitude, or philosophy of voters come to the polls, upsets continue. viduals, communities, and organizations JOY PERSALL The Circle. The Circle does not endorse any product or service VICE-CHAIR accepted as advertising, and reserves the right to reject any Politics has been pretty much an Old Boys from lawfully exercising their First advertising, material, or letters. The Circle encourages the submission ROBERT ALBEE Club until recently. In 1981, 94% of Amendment and other fundamental of Letters to the Editor, which must include the writer’s name and Congress was white, compared with 80% rights. They criminalize trespassing on oil, BOARD MEMBERS: address. Letters may be edited for language and length. of the U.S. population. By 2020, more gas, utility, railroad, and other properties MELISSA BUFFALO than one-in-five voting members (22%) of – including those under construction – as ROBERT LARSEN NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED NOAH MIWA WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. the U.S. House of Representatives and a gross misdemeanor punishable by one SHIRLEY SNEVE Senate are racial or ethnic minorities, mak- year in jail and a $3,000 fine. Trespass Member of Minnesota American IndianChamber of Commerce and ing the 116th Congress the most racially “with the intent to disrupt the operation JANE STEFFEN the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Circulation: 10,000 and ethnically diverse in history. 90% of or provision of services” of the pipeline or THE CIRCLE ADVISORY BOARD: DAVID BICE, BRENDA CHILD, KELLY DRUMMER, the newly elected people of color are utility would be a felony punishable by up HEID ERDRICH, JIM LENFESTEY, LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK Democrats. And it makes a difference. to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 612-722-3686 • www.thecirclenews.org • [email protected] http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 3 NEWS Minnesotans cheer Washington team’s name change

Top: AIM co-founder Clyde Bellecourt (third from right) outside the Minneapolis American Indian Center, after a press conference in July on the Washington NFL team’s decision to change its team name and logo after years of protest. Bottom: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaks about the name change. (Photos by Christine T. Nguyen/MPR News.) BY NINA MOINI/MRP NEWS Washington played the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium, he said. “We had upwards utside the American Indian of 5,000 people join us. And that’s law Center in Minneapolis on July enforcement giving us those numbers.” O 13, Clyde Bellecourt leaned on Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the first Native his walker as he watched a few people tack- American woman elected to statewide ing a sign to the outside of the building. It office in Minnesota, and only the second reads: ”We are still here.” nationally, said the depictions of Native For decades, Bellecourt has been at Americans in names, logos and mascots the forefront of the pressure campaign are harmful. to get the Washington NFL team to “When you erase, when you keep our change its name. He said he knew this people stuck as relics of the past, when day would come. you don’t acknowledge that we are a “It’s been a long struggle, but you contemporary people who are still here, know we never give up,” he said. who are very much alive and who will Bellecourt grew up on the White always be here, the policies you pass, the Earth reservations in north-central things you do to us and not with us can Minnesota. His Ojibwe name translates be pushed aside,” she said. as “the thunder before the storm.” And Following weeks of protests denouncing Bellecourt’s been a booming voice since racism across the country following the he co-founded the Minneapolis-based police killing of George Floyd in American Indian Movement in 1968. Minneapolis, companies like Nike and Bellecourt also helped start the Amazon removed the Washington team’s National Coalition Against Racism in merchandise from their online stores. Sports and Media, which is also based Bellecourt said he’s hopeful that in the Twin Cities. younger generations will continue to David Glass, who now serves as the hold accountable companies and teams coalition’s president, said the movement with racist mascots and names. to change the Washington franchise “Black lives matter, but so do name had gained a lot of steam since Indigenous people’s lives,” he said. 1992, when Washington played in the “We’re going to strengthen our bond,” Super Bowl at the Hubert H. Washington team owner Dan Snyder Humphrey Metrodome. About 200 peo- has not yet announced what the team’s ple showed up for a protest that year. new name will be. “Fast forward to 2014, we had the largest rally protest in sports history here at the Minnesota Public Radio News can be heard University of Minnesota” when on MPR’s statewide radio network or online.

4 August 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org NEWS Minnesota food shelves, already busy, brace for bigger demand

Have you been affected

Malisamai Vue packs a cart with food and personal hygiene products at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in north Minneapolis. Vue and other volunteers with A Mother's Love often by sexual violence? serve between 30 to 60 people per day. (Photo by Christine T. Nguyen/MPR News)

BY NINA MOINI/MRP NEWS pounds of food in the month of June,” Nehrbass said. he COVID-19 pandemic has City leaders say the need is growing created huge demand for free or by the minute at 36 food shelves run by T reduced-cost food across the churches and nonprofits. You are not alone. state as Minnesotans have lost jobs and Donations are critical. The city of children missed out on school lunches. Minneapolis says it doesn’t have funds Food shelves anticipate even more people available to support food banks or food Help is just a call or click away. will rely on them to get enough to eat. shelves. On July 21, Biantu Sheriff looked over Gov. Tim Walz recently allocated $12 milk, macaroni and cheese and other million in federal funding related to the items in a cardboard box she picked up COVID-19 pandemic to help meet outside of Gethsemane Lutheran demand across the state. Church in north Minneapolis. The CARES Act money that since late “I have three kids and really need diaper, March has provided an extra $600 in formula and wipes for them,” she said. weekly unemployment checks. Should Sheriff is working fewer hours after that aid go away as expected, locally run the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered food shelves are anticipating an even schools abruptly in March. Since then, greater need in the months ahead. like thousands of Minnesotans, it has Second Harvest Heartland, a Twin been harder for her to make ends meet. Cities-based food bank, among one of Then, at the end of May, after the largest in the country, released a Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, hunger report in June that anticipated rioters damaged several businesses unprecedented demand. including the Cub Foods on Broadway It said that before the onset of the StrongHearts Native Helpline Avenue, which had to close. COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 11 “It all of a sudden after the riot, it Minnesotans struggled to afford food. is a safe, anonymous, and confidential became a large food desert,” said Jamar By next month, it’s expected that 1 in Nelson of A Mother’s Love. The grass- 8 Minnesotans will face hunger. domestic violence and dating violence roots organization partnered with It’s why Jamar Nelson encourages Gethsemane church to set up a Minnesotans to keep giving what they helpline for Native Americans. makeshift food shelf in the Cub Foods can to local food shelves. parking lot for about six weeks before “This is going to be a long-time recov-   the grocery store reopened in late July. ery, there is no makeshift fix that can Gethsemane’s pastor, Jeff Nehrbass, do this, so communitywise, we need to   is back in his own church parking lot continue to band together, and look out serving more people than he ever has in for those that are less fortunate of us, !   "  #  " $ his 13 years providing food and other and do as much as we can to provide essentials to the community. Nehrbass and remember that again, this is what said prior to the coronavirus, his church community is about,” Nelson said. Trust. Speak. Heal. served roughly 2,000 north side resi- “I have so many examples of that in dents per month – that increased by the last six weeks it’s beautiful, it’s really This project is supported by Grant Number 90EV0426 from the roughly 5,000 people during the pan- heartwarming.” Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Administration for demic months. Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of “After the George Floyd murder we Minnesota Public Radio News can be heard the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. were at 35,000 people and 259,000 on MPR’s statewide radio network or online. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 5 NEWS Cooperative enterprises may lead to “new normal” for Native businesses BY LEE EGERSTROM “The old ‘normal’ isn’t coming back. It The Guide also identifies existing Minnesota. There are words that make a wasn’t that good for Indigenous people Indigenous-owned and operated co-ops in good fit with cooperative business models, usiness has been grinding to a and communities of color anyway,” she Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, she said. But the word democracy – the halt in much of Indian Country, said. No one can say how long it will be Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New key element in membership and gover- Bperhaps more than in the U.S. before face-to-face retail sales will be pos- Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North nance of a co-op – does not appear in either economy at large, prompting a Minnesota- sible for many Native artisans and other Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, of Minnesota’s dominant Native languages based Native enterprise leader to warn we producers of unique products. Supply Washington and Wisconsin. or any other Native language that Standing shouldn’t expect change until Indigenous chains are disrupted. Far more technology Among Minnesota co-ops is Northern and team could find. and hard-pressed communities make will be needed for local people to reach Eagle Federal Credit Union, which has “We need everyone to understand it, but changes themselves. broad markets for goods and services. 700 members of the Bois Forte Band, their we don’t need a (Indigenous) word for it,” “Let’s face it, business opportunities were Corrective measures can be taken by non-member family members, and Bois she said. “It is in our DNA. Democracy is limited before the virus (COVID-19) hit. community enterprises and especially Forte employees, including Fortune Bay how Indigenous people have survived.” And the George Floyd death. And the col- by individual producers and consumers Resort Casino and Nett Lake School So, is America at a tipping point in which lapsing economy since,” said Pamela banding together with colleagues to employees. Another is the White Earth business and community activity will not Stranding, executive director of the extend their reach, she said. Reservation Federal Credit Union. return to pre-2020 norms of behavior? Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance MNIBA’s Cooperative Guide gives good Native co-ops in adjacent states show Standing, for one, hopes so. (MNIBA). descriptions of various kinds of coopera- how cooperative business models serve var- Community, cooperative development MNIBA hopes to help Native commu- tives found in the US and Canada. They ious communities and entrepreneurs. has worked before, close to home. A recent nities band together, inspire individuals to include consumer co-ops, farmer and inde- South Dakota and Wisconsin both have example followed the rural recession, often become successful entrepreneurs, and pendent small business co-ops, worker co- tribal-based credit unions, and groups such called “the farm financial crisis,” of 1982- build new business ventures by using com- ops, and hybrid and “platform” coops. as the Owinja Quilters Cooperative at Pine 87. Rural communities were in near-depres- munity and cooperative development tools. The latter are described as “two emerging Ridge in South Dakota and Intertribal sion condition. Farmers and rural Working with like-minded people within models, consumer-worker cooperatives and Maple Syrup Cooperative for Native pro- communities launched a number of new the cooperative movement and with Native cooperatives focused on workers in the ducers in Wisconsin. businesses, especially in Minnesota and groups in the US and Canada, MNIBA free-lance economy,” which include online, Four miniature case studies recounts suc- North Dakota, creating new uses and mar- has prepared a guide to help community or app-based business ventures. Consumer- cesses for cooperatives that can serve as kets for nearby farm crops while creating leaders use new and evolving co-op busi- worker cooperatives have employees and models for other business developments. local jobs. Renville, in western Minnesota, ness models for startup enterprises. consumers both owning and managing the They include the Qualla Arts and Crafts was a hotbed for this development. The guide book, Beginning the cooperative – an evolving model being Cooperative, the oldest Native co-op dating A local co-op leader wisely cautioned at Cooperative Journey Together: A Guide adapted to grocery and retail cooperatives. to 1946 serving Eastern Band of Cherokee the time, “Adrenaline in not a substitute to Indigenous Community Cooperative Consumer co-ops would include artisans; Umpgua Indian Utility for a good business plan.” Standing issues Development, can be downloaded from mutual insurance companies and credit Cooperative that provides electricity, and a similar caution now. Cooperating in a MNIBA’s website. Printed copies have unions that are member-owned, which other services for the Cow Creek Tribe in community is as old as the Indigenous pop- been delayed with COVID-19 temporarily explain why one out of three Americans Oregon; the Oomingmak Musk Ox ulation, but business plans and legal frame- shutting down the Leech Lake Tribal are co-op members whether they realize Producers Cooperative for clothing pro- works for cooperatives are new and College’s design and printing operations. it or not. Farmer and independent small ducers in remote coastal villages in Alaska; constantly changing. It is time for Indigenous and minority business co-ops, meanwhile, are not and Bois Forte’s Northern Eagle. Communities can recognize needs, communities to design and create their always small. CHS Inc., based in Inver The authors caution that developing shared vision and values. They also must own local and community-centric enter- Grove Heights, and Arden Hills-based cooperative enterprises is a lengthy process turn to experts in law, business policy and prises, thus create a “new normal” for mov- Land O’Lakes are both farmer-owned with several challenges. Among them is a management to properly structure and ing forward, Standing said. Fortune 500 companies. distrust that comes from many existing co- direct new community ventures. ops with Eurocentric models that were MNIBA is working with various used as part of the colonization process, Indigenous groups in the Southwest, THE CIRCLE SPONSORS and from a blurring of distinctions between Western states, and First Nations people cooperative and tribally-owned enterprises. of Canada; with supportive national and “We have not developed our own local cooperative groups and agencies Indigenous stories, models and histories (Cooperative Development Services, of Indigenous cooperative development Cooperation Works); academic centers to turn to for an example of ‘how-to’ and from Canada to New Mexico, with local ‘best practices’,” they wrote. academics, and with the Center for Land and personal ownership issues can Cooperatives at the University of be tricky on reservations, they acknowl- Wisconsin Madison. edged. Confusion about membership may As part of such partnering groups, it has also persist with some tribal citizens assum- been involved with conferences for child ing membership in a co-op is a sovereign, care cooperatives and in cooperative train- or tribal right not requiring voluntary ing and education programs for Native stu- membership and participation. dents. But, the authors write, a cooperative can The MNIBA Cooperative Guide is make a good fit when people want to work already serving as a nationwide teaching together, communities have identified a tool while it waits publishing in printed need to diversify and strengthen local form. Hopefully, Standing said, a new gen- economies, communities want to be eration of educated young people will be engaged in business ownership, the idea able to help Indigenous and communities and model comes from within and not out- of color develop community and cooper- side the community, and when it advances ative enterprises to unleash cultural Indigenous language and culture. strengths and opportunities. Trying to help make a cultural fit, THANK YOU Standing (Cherokee) and others looked The Guide can be downloaded at: inward at the dominant Dakota and https://www.mniba.org/programs/coop- FOR SUPPORTING THE CIRCLE Ojibwe Indigenous languages of erative-development.html.

6 August 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org THANK YOU TO ALL THE MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS WHO SUPPORTED TOBACCO 21

BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 2020, THIS NEW LAW WILL PROTECT YOUNG LUNGS ACROSS THE STATE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

GOV. TIM WALZ AND LT. GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN SEN. PAUL T. ANDERSON • SEN. KARLA BIGHAM • SEN. JIM CARLSON • SEN. ROGER C. CHAMBERLAIN • SEN. BOBBY JOE CHAMPION • SEN. GREGORY CLAUSEN SEN. RICHARD COHEN • SEN. STEVE A. CWODZINSKI • SEN. SCOTT DIBBLE • SEN. KARI DZIEDZIC • SEN. CHRIS EATON • SEN. KENT EKEN • SEN. MELISA FRANZEN SEN. NICK FRENTZ • SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA • SEN. DAN D. HALL • SEN. FOUNG HAWJ • SEN. JEFF HAYDEN • SEN. JOHN HOFFMAN • SEN. JASON ISAACSON SEN. JOHN JASINSKI • SENATE MINORITY LEADER SUSAN KENT • SEN. MATT KLEIN • SEN. CAROLYN LAINE • SEN. RON LATZ • SEN. MATT LITTLE • SEN. JOHN MARTY SENATE PRESIDENT JEREMY MILLER • SEN. CARLA NELSON • SEN. JERRY NEWTON • SEN. SANDRA PAPPAS • SEN. ERIC PRATT • SEN. JERRY RELPH • SEN. ANN REST SEN. JULIE ROSEN • SEN. CARRIE RUUD • SEN. DAVID SENJEM • SEN. ERIK SIMONSON • SEN. DAN SPARKS • SEN. PATRICIA TORRES RAY • SEN. BILL WEBER SEN. CHARLES WIGER • SEN. MELISSA WIKLUND • REP. PATTY ACOMB • REP. JEFF BACKER • REP. KRISTIN BAHNER • REP. DAVE BAKER • REP. CONNIE BERNARDY REP. ROBERT BIERMAN • REP. JEFF BRAND • REP. HUNTER CANTRELL • REP. ANDREW CARLSON • REP. LYNDON CARLSON SR. • REP. SHELLY CHRISTENSEN • REP. ANNE CLAFLIN REP. JACK CONSIDINE JR. • REP. JIM DAVNIE • REP. RAYMOND DEHN • REP. LISA DEMUTH • REP. BOB DETTMER • REP. ROB ECKLUND • REP. HEATHER EDELSON REP. STEVE ELKINS • REP. PETER FISCHER • REP. MARY FRANSON • REP. MIKE FREIBERG • REP. AISHA GOMEZ • REP. GLENN GRUENHAGEN • REP. BARB HALEY REP. LAURIE HALVERSON • REP. ROD HAMILTON • REP. RICK HANSEN • REP. HODAN HASSAN • REP. ALICE HAUSMAN • REP. KAOHLY HER • REP. FRANK HORNSTEIN SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN • REP. MICHAEL HOWARD • REP. JOHN HUOT • REP. SYDNEY JORDAN • REP. TONY JURGENS • REP. GINNY KLEVORN • REP. ERIN KOEGEL REP. CARLIE KOTYZA-WITTHUHN • REP. MARY KUNESH-PODEIN • REP. SANDY LAYMAN • REP. FUE LEE • REP. JOHN LESCH • REP. TINA LIEBLING • REP. BEN LIEN REP. LEON LILLIE • REP. TODD LIPPERT • REP. DAVE LISLEGARD • REP. JAMIE LONG • REP. DALE LUECK • REP. CARLOS MARIANI • REP. PAUL MARQUART • REP. SANDRA MASIN REP. TIM MILLER • REP. KELLY MOLLER • REP. RENA MORAN • REP. KELLY MORRISON • REP. MARY MURPHY • REP. MICHAEL V. NELSON • REP. MOHAMUD NOOR REP. LIZ OLSON • REP. GENE PELOWSKI JR. • REP. JOHN PERSELL. • REP. JOHN PETERSBURG • REP. NELS PIERSON • REP. DAVE PINTO • REP. JEANNE POPPE REP. JOHN POSTON • REP. LAURIE PRYOR • REP. RUTH RICHARDSON • REP. KRISTIN ROBBINS • REP. STEVE SANDELL • REP. JULIE SANDSTEDE • REP. DUANE SAUKE REP. JENNIFER SCHULTZ • REP. ZACK STEPHENSON • REP. MIKE SUNDIN • REP. BRAD TABKE • REP. DEAN URDAHL • REP. SAMANTHA VANG • REP. JEAN WAGENIUS REP. AMI WAZLAWIK • HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER • REP. DAN WOLGAMOTT • REP. TOU XIONG • REP. JAY XIONG • REP. CHERYL YOUAKIM

Keep Tobacco Sacred

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 7 “Medical Marijuana” In other words, if you smoke and and signatures from two state-licensed In the larger context, the War on don’t use moderation, you can become physicians, as well as their parent or legal Drugs has put more people of color in a couch potato. Like many things, guardian. jail historically for marijuana, than white cannabis is best used in moderation, Oklahoma has as close to free market people per capita. According to the at least that’s what they say. capitalism for medical marijuana as can American Civil Liberties Union, of the So, get out and vote, either way. be imagined. There are no restrictions 8.2 million marijuana arrests between Legally, a tribe can do what the state on the number of permits to be issued, 2001 and 2010, 88% were for simply hav- does. In Minnesota, we have medical nor zoning restrictions. There are over ing marijuana.. Despite roughly equal marijuana, we just don’t have it any- 200,000 patients, more per-capita than usage rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more where near us. Besides that, tribal gov- any other state and licenses were issued likely than whites to be arrested for mar- ernments have an opportunity to be for 2,168 dispensaries, 1,415 processors ijuana. Basically, 52% of the country’s innovative and visionary, and the and 4,931 growers . The industry which drug arrests, until recently, were for industry is booming. Take a look at an started in 2018, is worth about $350 mil- small amounts of marijuana. That stays unusual superhero in the medical mar- lion, and that money is spread across a on your record. Expunging records and ijuana field, Oklahoma. lot of businesses, and a lot of patients. legalizing cannabis would help a lot of Look at a map of Oklahoma, yes, that In comparison, Minnesota’s medical tribal members. conservative state, that the Supreme marijuana business is controlled by two This is an opportunity for a new econ- Court just recognized is Indian territory, companies – Minnesota Medical omy. Over the past two years, White well at least half of it. Oklahoma has a Solutions and Leafline Labs, both Twin Earth has fallen behind other tribes in huge number of medical dispensaries. Cities based. Vireo, the largest hemp regulation, but this may be an What’s interesting about Oklahoma is (Minnesota Medical Solutions opportunity to step up for a new econ- that their medical cannabis laws don’t Company) is headed by Dr. Kyle Kinsley, omy, one which heals, and brings income specify a list of qualifying conditions. a former ER Doctor from Shakopee. the industry to two corporations has reg- to the community. However you look Since there are no qualifying conditions According to a Star Tribune article, he ulatory benefits, cannabis has the poten- at it, cannabis is a catalyst for change. for medical cannabis in Oklahoma, the first considered that “medical marijuana” tial to illustrate economic justice. That’s Whatever White Earth does, it’s likely state has declared that all medical mar- might do a lot more for patients than to say, that Natives and other people of that cannabis will be legalized in a few ijuana recommendations shall be given the profligate alcohol and opioid use he color could grow and own this business. years within the state, but it’s really a ques- out “according to the accepted standards witnessed every night. Business is good: Minnesota’s model doesn’t do that. In tion of what a tribe wants to do to share a reasonable and prudent physician the company is worth about $350 mil- fact, low income medical patients can in that economy and those medicines. would follow when recommending or lion, with only a few dispensaries. grow their own in Oklahoma, which Economic plans during a time of pan- approving any medication.” Leafline Labs is the second cannabis pro- would help a lot of people who suffer demic are hard to come by, but locally Oklahoma law states that all applicants ducer, associated with the Bachman and need cannabis. As a cannabis grown cannabis has not only economic for a medical marijuana license must be Nursery’s business. Both have had good grower who specializes in hemp (the potential but it can help heal commu- 18 years of age or older. However, special success – but access, particularly in the non-THC plants) I find that growing nities in the depths of a physical/mental exception will be granted to applicants north country, remains limited. your own gives you a better connection health crisis. under the age of 18 who have approval While the business model of limiting to your medicines.

8 August 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org “Family death and higher education” continued from cover

Looking at the findings as a commu- In a July 2 announcement, the nity health matter, the authors said Minnesota Office of Higher Education future research should look at reasons (OHE) said the program not only why a family death during college-age FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY addresses academic issues, “but social years makes it harder for students to and basic needs such as child care, trans- graduate from college. And, researchers portation, employment, food, and finan- should look at other life experiences and • Young people of color experience more sibling and parent deaths than White youth. cial issues that can make all the college policies that might harm gradu- difference in education outcomes.” ation rates for Black and Native • A family death at ages 13–22 is related to lower odds of getting a college degree. Adult learners are confronted with American young adults. balancing work, life and school respon- They concluded that “racial disparities • Impact of family death is larger during college years (ages 19–22) than ages 13–18. sibilities, the announcement said. in mortality might affect social determi- Dennis Olson, OHE commissioner, nants of health of surviving relatives, made passing reference to the current and college policies are a potential inter- • Racial disparities in mortality may contribute to racial disparities in education. environment of the COVID-19 virus vention point.” and its economic impact. “In these Colleges and universities might want • College policies are a potential intervention point to weaken this link. uncertain times for so many families, a to look at what community colleges are program like MN Reconnect can offer doing to reach older students, Thyden the financial and emotional support said. Good numbers of women go back Minnesota State and the Minnesota Community College (Brooklyn Park), adult students need to face the challenge to school after pausing to raise young Office of Higher Education, provides Pine Technical & Community College and embrace the opportunity to return children, and older students of both gen- special services and benefits to help (Pine City), Riverland Community to college and complete their degree,” ders do go back to community colleges adult Minnesotans re-enroll in college College (Albert Lea, Austin and he said. to resume studies for career advance- to finish educations. Owatonna), and South Central College ments. The program was started at a few com- (Faribault and North Mankato). Information on Thyden and col- This is especially important now with munity colleges in 2018 and was The MN Reconnect program helps leagues’ study on the unequal impacts the COVID-19 pandemic because col- expanded in July to help students enroll adult, returning students with a personal on education achievement after a death leges and universities may be cutting for classes this fall at five additional advisor for college and for career plan- in family can be found at https://twin- student support programs to save schools. ning, with scholarships of $1,000 per cities.umn.edu/news-events/research- money, Thyden said. Participating colleges include Central semester and other financial assistance brief-black-and-native-american-youth-ex Bucking what likely may become a Lakes College (Brainerd and Staples), that may prevent re-enrollment, and perience-more-family-deaths-may-reduce. trend, Minnesota State has programs in Dakota County Technical College emergency financial assistance. It also place to help students who have dis- (Rosemount), Inver Hills Community helps with academic planning, acceler- Minnesota State information on the rupted their college educations, but its College (Inver Grove Heights), Lake ated degrees, gaining credit from previ- MN Reconnect program, and links to lead program isn’t system wide. Superior College (Duluth), Minneapolis ous learning, and with online and participating colleges, are available at MN Reconnect, a partnership between College (Minneapolis), North Hennepin in-person tutoring. https://mnreconnect.com.

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 9 P ROFILES: NATIVE AMERICANS IN SPORTS – BY DAN NINHAM Daniel Polk: National Class Disc Golfer

veryone may have a hidden talent. Oftentimes someone E finds it by chance. Other times it may stay hidden. By continu- ing to practice the talent efficiently, one may master the gift. Daniel Polk, 41, is a gifted profes- sional disc golfer. He is from the San Carlos Apache, Quechan, and Diné Nations. He, his wife Dyani, and two daughters Nina and Tusweca live in Shakopee, Minnesota. “I first learned the sport of disc golf in 2005 while I was in college at Haskell Indian Nations University,” said Daniel. “I played basketball there from '00-'03. When I ended my colle- giate career, I felt a little lost for a cou- ple years not competing at a high level. I was definitely looking for something to do because I've been an athlete since I was a young child.” One day Daniel and his girlfriend Dyani, now his wife, were driving around Lawrence, Kansas. “I noticed some people were throwing frisbees at Daniel Polk, an A-Tier professional frisbee player, gets ready to let a frisbee fly. (Photo courtsey of Billie Sage Ashton.) a metal target. It looked like a lot of fun. Dyani said it was called frisbee game,” said Daniel. “I was very curious alize himself throwing the disc long Madison, WI in 2010 followed. He golf,” added Daniel. but I just didn't know where to start.” distance. continued improving and won the A- “I remember wondering about the Daniel watched someone throw a “Right then and there, I was Tier as a professional in the Master game including how to keep score, how disc farther than the whole football hooked,” said Daniel. “I was so in Pro 40+ at the Des Moines Challenge to throw, what were the rules in this field. As he watched he could also visu- shock and excited that I wanted to in 2019.” learn to throw an entire football field Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit length before learning anything else. the world. That is exactly what I did.” “My competition came to a halt,” Dyani had a friend named Henry said Daniel. “I usually play a tourna- Pohocsucut she knew from the univer- ment every weekend during the disc sity who played disc golf. golf season.” “Henry taught me the form in a When the regional in-state and out- stand still formation, where and how of-state events were canceled, Daniel to pull the disc through, and what focused on off-season training as he height to throw,” said Daniel. “He also does during the peak of the winter taught me the X-step to build momen- months. FREE tum to throw the disc farther, but not “I had to adapt and make changes in to use any steps until I controlled my order to keep up with my game and ANNUAL pull through and height of the disc. I health,” said Daniel. “This is how I practiced this for a complete month.” kept up with my training, health, men- CHECKUPS “My goals were to learn the form and tality, and sanity.” FOR THOSE UNDER 21 throw at least a football field length,” “As a few weeks went by, I started to said Daniel. “I went to my first course, go to the course to play, but I was play- Centennial Park, in Lawrence, Kansas. ing solo rounds, using my hand sani- However, it was very different from tizer, social distancing when others throwing on a football field. I saw trees were out, and learning how to just be in the way, baskets not straight ahead outside and be safe,” added Daniel. KEEP YOUR and far away, some a little closer to the The mental toughness of competing tee-pads, and water obstacles. I still at disc golf coincides with all individ- remember I shot 30 over par after my ual sports. “Mentally, what I need to CHILD first round. Even with that score, I still work on is learning to calm my wanted to play.” nerves,” said Daniel. “Everyone has Daniel was an intermediate player in them. I need to discipline myself to HEALTHY his first tournament when he won The work on the weakest shots in my game, Centennial Open in 2005. He also like side-arms, forehand rollers, and became a member of the Professional always more putting.” Disc Golf Association (PDGA) that “The few accomplishments I had same year. As an advance amateur stuck out the most in my mind,” said GET STARTED AT player, he won his first A-Tier at the Daniel. “It takes me back to where I Colorado State Championships in started in this sport. I love and appre- U21Checkups.com 2006. Winning his first pro tourna- ciate my journey in the sport of disc ment at the Ale Asylum Open in golf.”

10 August 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

Winning in Indian Country as per the opinion of the Supreme about the rule of law. And this is one ment in the prep and collegiate ranks, In a departure from the usual Court, rests on the federal Major Crimes of those.” but the Washington decision represents “Political Matters” fare, this month’s Act (MCA), under which Indians are The Muscogee (Creek) Nation issued the first time a major pro sports fran- column will feature good news. In the subject to federal trials for certain crimes a statement on the court’s decision: “The chise has taken an enlightened step. Of midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, eco- committed within “the Indian country.” Supreme Court today kept the United course, the fact that the NFL franchise nomic collapse, homeless camps in “State courts generally have no juris- States’ sacred promise to the Muscogee in the nation’s capital has employed a Minneapolis city parks, and skirmishes diction to try Indians for crimes com- (Creek) Nation of a protected reserva- derogatory and racist epithet for its team between racial justice protesters and the mitted in ‘Indian country,’” according tion. Today’s decision will allow the was egregiously horrible. cops (and the GesTrumpo in Portland, to the court decision. Nation to honor our ancestors by main- Team owner Daniel Snyder had vowed Ore.), the Supreme Court of the United National Public Radio, in its coverage taining our established sovereignty and that the “R”-word would endure forever; States decided that much of eastern of the SCOTUS decision, pointed out: territorial boundaries. We will continue however, when FedEx, which won nam- Oklahoma (“Indian Territory” on old “The ruling will affect lands of the to work with federal and state law ing rights for the Washington football maps) still is a federally-recognized reser- Muscogee and four other Oklahoma enforcement agencies to ensure that stadium, declared they would withdraw vation. tribes with identical treaties. Civil court public safety will be maintained through- its sponsorship, the ground quickly And the Washington “R”-word NFL issues are also affected. out the territorial boundaries of the shifted. Also, Nike, Amazon and other franchise dropped their offensive team “It’s important to note that the case Muscogee (Creek) Nation.” companies said they would no longer name in the face of pressure from some concerned jurisdiction, not land own- On the exploitation of Native names sell Washington-branded merchandise. major corporate sponsors. ership.” and symbols – the practice known as As someone said, money doesn’t talk All in all, amazing developments. The NPR story quoted Kevin “cultural appropriation” – the July 13 – it screams. And Snyder bid a hasty First, there was the July 9 SCOTUS Washburn, dean of the law school at the decision by the Washington NFL fran- retreat from the “R”-word. decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, in University of Iowa, where he teaches a chise to change its name and logo came The national social upheaval in the which the justices, on a 5-4 vote, found course on federal Indian law. He served as a kind of thunderclap. The American aftermath of the May 25 killing of that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation still as assistant secretary of Indian affairs, Indian Movement (AIM) and main- George Floyd in Minneapolis likely retains sovereignty in eastern Oklahoma, from 2012 to 2016, and is a citizen of stream Native organizations have been motivated the Washington decision. It including Tulsa, the state’s second-largest the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. He campaigning for such a change over will be interesting to see how other pro city. called the court’s ruling “a great deci- many decades. sports franchises react to the changed The case was brought by Jimcy sion.” I’ve written numerous articles for The landscape vis-à-vis the raised profile of McGirt, who was convicted years ago in “For Indian people, their land is really Circle about this demeaning behavior, the movement for racial justice. So far, Oklahoma state court on three serious important, and treaties are really impor- the abuse of Indian rituals and symbols the Cleveland Indians (which ditched sex crimes. McGirt argued after his con- tant,” Washburn told NPR. “They’re for America’s fun and games. Many the Chief Wahoo logo last year) have viction that the state lacked jurisdiction sacred. And this reaffirms the sacredness years ago, I went to the Metrodome and announced that they will reconsider the to prosecute him because he’s an of those promises and those treaties.” interviewed Cleveland Indians and team’s name. enrolled member of the Seminole He added, “Now and then there’s a Minnesota Twins players about the Nation of Oklahoma. McGirt’s appeal, great case that helps you keep the faith issue. There has been significant move-

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http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 11 ARTS For Joshua: An Ojibwe Father Teaches His Son, is a remarkable memoir

BY DEBORAH LOCKE teach his child traditions such as find- on earth is dotted with exceptional ing wisdom from within, the impor- people who see themselves in tance of humility, and to convey to Wagamese, and throw life preservers he late Richard Wagamese the boy that the earth and all people his way. knew that liquor “owned upon it were related and valuable. The story, which unfolds in Canada, T him” and that as a drunk, he So when his son was six, Wagamese is beautifully written: Wagamese was was unfit to raise his baby boy. The wrote, “For Joshua: An Ojibwe Father an amazing writer well deserving of baby’s mother left with the baby to Teaches His Son,” a remarkable mem- the accolades and awards he accrued protect her son from his father’s alco- oir about climbing from a self-made in his too-short life. The memoir con- holic binges. Years passed; Wagamese hole of fear, substance abuse, home- veys Wagamese’s childhood as a foster became sober. He knew it was his lessness and incarceration. The path son who is ripped from the non- responsibility as an Ojibwe father to to knowing himself and his purpose Indian foster family he loves and adopted by a distant non-Indian fam- ily who live in a racist community. That cruel separation increases the doubt, fear and despair that follow Wagamese for decades. Finally, a good friend named John brings Wagamese to a hill facing the Rocky Mountains and leaves him there for a four-day ENVISION. Vision Quest. The remainder of the

PLAN. VIRGINIA book weaves traditional Ojibwe sto- DESIGN. ries with what Wagamese figured out EVALUATE. day by day at the top of the hill. “For Joshua: An Ojibwe Father Teaches His DETAIL. Son” BUILD. Oshkaybewis. He figured out a lot, while seated in Milkweed Editions CELEBRATE. We are Helping to Build Indigenous Nations. a small circle drawn by John, with April 2020

TWIN CITIES TWIN only one blanket and a canteen of 240 pages water. The bits of wisdom that (651) 784-7924 Wagamese derived from himself, as and land “so flat you could watch dsgw.com Connect with us on Facebook! well as later from the company of a your dog run away for four whole

DULUTH group of non-using Indians, took him days before he disappeared.” Many from a “Technicolor nightmare” to a years passed before Wagamese real- “black-and-white reality. A reality that ized the deepest lessons he learned didn’t hurt anymore.” He wrote: from that night – lessons about “Over time they showed me exactly belonging, unity and a shared love for what John showed me, that I wasn’t land. bad, deficient, or unworthy – I was It takes a long time for truths to just a drunk who needed to stay sober unfold in the book, the same way they in order to help himself.” unfold in a life. Wagamese learns the Certain scenes in the book really intricacies of building a sweat lodge stand out. Alone and hitchhiking and takes his first sweat. He touches across Canada, Wagamese spent three his first ceremonial pipe and learns nights sleeping under a bridge until its parts and meaning. He grows to he heard of a hostel in a small nearby seek peace over conflict. As a child, town. He was welcomed there, joining Wagamese intimately knew the forests eight travelers from throughout and rivers, but did not have a father Canada. The group pooled its money, to show him to be a caretaker of the bought groceries and cooked over an land and everything on it. open fire. “We didn’t know that simply being What made that fire and the people Indian by doing an Indian thing like memorable for a lifetime was the way fishing wasn’t enough,” he wrote. “We everyone looked out for each other. didn’t know that what made some- Then something wonderful hap- thing the Indian thing to do were the pened, Wagamese wrote. The group teachings that guided the process.” of strangers returned to their tents In a closing chapter made more and brought back a fiddle, guitar, har- poignant due to his death at age 61, monica, bongo drums, an accordion Wagamese invited Joshua to find him. and a pennywhistle. Simple campfire It won’t be hard, he wrote. “I’ll be on songs were followed by ballads from the land somewhere, feeling its heart- Quebec, seafaring melodies from beat on the soles of my feet, knowing British Columbia, maritime ballads with each breath that it is home, that from Nova Scotia, foot-stomping I am home, wherever I might be. Metis music from northern Alberta, Until then, my son, I love you.” and a Saskatchewan farmer’s songs of harvest, land and small-town dreams. “For Joshua: An Ojibwe Father Folk songs filled the air about end- Teaches His Son” was published in less rail tracks, highways, dance halls 2020 by Milkweed Editions ($24). and a lonely sundown. Story telling followed, about fields that ran forever

12 August 2020 The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective http://www.thecirclenews.org EDUCATION Young grad works with Amnesty International on corporate crimes

BY HANNAH BROADBENT Oyate Tribe (Lower Brule Sioux spaces, it has been most impactful in Tribe). I grew up on my reservation my educational journey. throughout my childhood. Around aven Ziegler is a young age 12, I moved to Minneapolis with HB. What inspired you to follow Native American women my family for access to better educa- the path you are on now in human R who is making a big impact tion. rights? in her community as an activist and RZ: In May, I graduated with a young graduate. She is a member of HB. Why was going to school so Master of Human Rights from the the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (Kul important to you? In what areas of Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Wicasa Oyate) in South Dakota. She Human Rights and Advocacy do you I concentrated on the nexus of busi- completed her Master of Human focus on and why? ness and human rights, in order to Rights (MHR) degree in the spring of RZ: School is essential to my growth gain the technical skills necessary to 2020. because it has given me the practical hold corporations who violate human Ziegler began working with Amnesty skills necessary to advance the wellbe- rights accountable. This career move International this summer, where she ing of my community. Despite acces- is heavily influenced by the continu- works with the International sibility barriers, I view education as ous exploitation and environmental Secretariat of Amnesty International an equalizer in the face of systemic racism experienced within the in partnership with the University of oppression. As our community has Indigenous community. Minnesota’s Human Rights Lab. understood for generations, knowl- Ziegler conducts research on business edge is the single most powerful tool HB. What things do you do to help and human rights accountability and we have. The knowledge I’ve gained you feel grounded and energized? corporate crimes. through higher academia is something RZ: I am grounded and energized by plans? She talked to us about the things that cannot be taken away from me. the same space – my community. I’m RZ: I have accepted a contractual that keep her going, inspired and moti- More importantly, it does not begin endlessly inspired by our resilience, research position with the vated throughout these trying times. and end with me. I’m now able to take dedication and love we’ve invested International Secretariat of Amnesty this knowledge I’ve learned from a into each other. We deserve to live in International. I am working with the HB. Tell us about yourself. What uniquely privileged space and bring it a world that recognizes, celebrates and business and human rights team on tribe are you and where did you grow back to my community. I’m able to protects our community. I’m hoping the “Prosecuting Corporate Crimes” up? help us decipher dense texts and to help move us closer to that world. project – which looks at the bound- RZ: My name is Raven Ziegler strategize on how to best protect our aries of international law when (Wambli Okas’a Win). I am a Lakota rights. Although the accumulation of HB. Now that you are done with Sioux woman from the Kul Wicasa knowledge can happen in many school, what’s your plan? Long-term – CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 –

http://www.thecirclenews.org The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective August 2020 13 – RAVEN CONTINUED FROM 13 – COMMUNITY prosecuting corporations for human rights Community thanks AIM for protection violations. I’m a few weeks into the position and it has been incredible. This field is a decade old and we are closer than ever before to begin to hold corporations accountable for a myriad of violations – including envi- ronmental exploitation and violence against peaceful protestors.

HB. With all the current events happening in our city, what positive changes do you see already? RZ: The mobilization of communities to protect and support each other has been exceptional. I’ve never felt more connected with Minneapolis. We are living through an example of how investment in community- led initiatives a viable alternative to tradi- tional law enforcement can be. The Native American Community Clinic (NACC), University of Minnesota Community-University HB. What is your hope for the Native Health Care Center (CUHCC) and Native American community in Minneapolis? What do you Community Development Institute (NACDI) hosted see as the possibilities? a gratitude lunch for members of the American Indian RZ: My hope for the Indigenous commu- Movement (AIM) who watched over the Philips and nity in Minneapolis is that we finally get the Seward Neighborhoods during the George Floyd space to move beyond survival mode. The protests, and protected the critical health centers and centuries of trauma held in the Indigenous other businesses and non-profits in the community. community (i.e. colonization, poverty, state The lunch took place July 10 outside of the violence) has impeded on our ability to live Minneapolis American Indian Center on Franklin fulfilling lives collectively. I hope we will Ave in South Minneapolis. soon get to a space where we can be radically Robert Lilligren, President/CEO of NACDI (on vulnerable without the threat of danger. I left) presents Frank Paro, President of AIM, with a hope we will soon get the opportunity to live check. A new mural (by artists Rory Wakemup and in our bodies and in this world peacefully. Natchez Beaulieu) was also unveiled (top photo).

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

and isolation. read books that had an ending, you asked to call out or name people that I cry, I question daily, “Why am I could physically know it. But here have helped me out in a direct way still here?’ To suffer even more than and now we are in a fluid situation. and those who offered help. I love I have thus far? Why? Then I see two To my mind that means we can write calling them out to prove to myself pair of big brown eyes that shine on a utopian and not dystopian last chap- that there are really good people in me with love every morning. Mitzi ter to this current disgusting, vile and my life whose care and love helped and her sister Bugg and feline broth- criminal administration. WE can me so I could be sitting so comfort- ers Tupac, Purrince, Lenny Katvitz write right history. Come with me. ably as I am right now in this and Tom Petty are what gets me out Back to me... poor ole bones, my moment. I do not take my loved ones of bed...well that and the functional surgeon told me I have bones like for granted. They are gifts. need to urinate. That’s how I know Styrofoam. Yah, this after another sur- So, to my curmudgenous Ole Unk, I’m still around to be able to piss geon told me this past January I have A Mighty Hunter and Story-Teller, I some people off. My life has meaning. the bones of a 90-year old woman. I say chii miigwech for hauling this ole Pretty much all I pray for is a small cried, you bet I did, thinking of how broken body to and from my ankle break from loss and bereavement. I much more active I used to be and surgery and so much more than that. pray for all of our well-beings and being homebound as I am now. I have I love and appreciate how you are what shreds of sanity we collectively become a rare, fragile doomed flower, always here for us relatives. You are Pretty sure I’ma be calling Rezberry have left after this assault on our way but one that can still bite your ass off our Rock. Housing for some repairs soon. Due of lives. Make no mistake, we are at and you will thank me for it. Ho-Lay! To my non-blood relations I say the to my last most unfortunate accident, the point in the story where Bad vs. Carried away! same, chii miigwech! I feel really iso- I’m in a wheelchair for the first time Good looks like Bad will win. Listen To my point: the Ill-wishes directed lated right now being homebound but in my life. The walls are going to be now! We do not have to Lemming off at me have failed...I’m still here. I ya’ll have helped me more than you all scraped up and many bumps into the edge of Republican terrorism carry no burden of hate, revenge or know. In the saddest, most heart-bro- doorways will need to be fixed, too. thinking. We can always fight later, retaliation. You will deal with that in ken time in my life you took the time I’m trying to get the hang of basic too. time, which I now freely admit I will to let me know you care. I did pray geometry but I knew that before I Noo!!! I read a piece online that pop some corn because I am so for someone to help me out, and broke my ankle. Not that long ago, I stated that we, the ‘all of us’ WE were amused by just hanging around to see Geena said she would help me out, could dance and dance and dance all born for this time in history as we what happens next. Who needs so- she saw my need and that I wasn’t get- off-beat and I still made it look cool! know it to be now. Ha! Maybe that’s called Reality TV shows these days? ting it from anyone else. Maybe Welp, lately I have had a long string where I get some strength from, wit- Just wake up (I mean that) and turn they’re sick n tired of looking after of very devastating accidents on all nessing the Fall of the Eye of Modor. on the telly, if only to get the gist of me, I get that, but really now! I’m not appendages that has left me incapac- (Choose your own metaphor) in real today’s confusing and absurd news. doing this for attention, just not want- itated for months, along with death time. There used to be days when I Well, I never ‘have to’ and am rarely ing to die just yet. Hehehehe.

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