Native News

The Native News Project is a new initiative from MPR News.

Stay informed with the latest news about local and national Native American communities, highlighting stories and issues important to Native American communities in Minnesota and beyond.

Our coverage includes cultural events, policy updates, community stories and more to provide a platform for Native voices, perspectives and important news.

Why Minnesota musician Annie Humphrey's new album is like nothing she's released before
Annie Humphrey, an award-winning musician who comes from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, talked with MPR News’ senior editor of Native News Leah Lemm.
Meet our new team working to strengthen coverage of Native communities
Minnesota Now spoke with senior editor Leah Lemm and reporter Melissa Olson about their new initiative to strengthen Native coverage across our region and about Indigenous Peoples Day being marked as a state holiday for the first time.
What is Indigenous Peoples Day? A day of celebration, protest and reclaiming history
From Alcatraz Island to a park in New York City, Native American people will celebrate their centuries-long history of resilience with ceremonies, dances and speeches. The events across the U.S. come two years after President Joe Biden officially commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day.
 ‘Rising from the ashes’: MIGIZI youth center reopens after burning in Floyd unrest
MIGIZI, a Native American youth center in south Minneapolis, is opening for the first time since it burned down during the unrest in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd.
Churches confess and repent for sins against Native and Indigenous people
Many Christian denominations in recent years have repudiated a doctrine that was used to justify the subjugation of Native and Indigenous people. That's now playing out in local congregations.
Survivors of Native American boarding schools honored during ceremony
Orange Shirt Day, as it’s sometimes called, started in Canada with the story of an elder who recounted how an orange shirt given to her by her grandmother was taken from her as a six-year-old child on her first day at a Catholic residential school.
‘Races are hosted on our land’: At the Twin Cities Marathon and beyond, Verna Volker wants to reclaim running as a Native tradition.
After moving from New Mexico to Minneapolis, Verna Volker founded a group called Native Women Running to create opportunities and community for Indigenous athletes. She’s also changing the face of a mostly white sport.
An interview with 3 ‘Reservation Dogs’ actors, writers from Minnesota
Dallas Goldtooth, Migizi Pensoneau and Bobby Wilson, who are actors, writers and producers on the hit show, all hail from Dakota and Ojibwe communities in Minnesota.
City of Minneapolis plans to sell two lots to Red Lake Nation for $1 each
Plans are moving forward for two lots that have been vacant for decades off Lake Street in south Minneapolis, where members of Red Lake Nation are working to build a healing center and garden focused on serving Indigenous people living in the city.