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.

Anishinaabe author Ashley Fairbanks invites children to honor ancestral Native land in her new book
Minnesota-born Anishinaabe author Ashley Fairbanks had her first book published on Aug. 27. The book is for children and is titled “This Land.” It invites kids to trace the history of their home and honor the Native people who lived on the land.
It’s a wrap: Fans say ‘Miigwech’ for ‘Star Wars’ in Ojibwe
The newly dubbed film is a collaboration between LucasFilm, the University of Manitoba and the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council in Manitoba. It first premiered in Canada last month.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community provides emergency assistance amid food shortage 
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a tribal nation in Minnesota, is providing emergency assistance to other tribal nations across the state and across the region as food promised to tribes by the federal government arrives late. 
Historical society makes 100 years of Native newspapers available online
The Minnesota Historical Society is archiving hundreds of thousands of newspapers through digital scans. Many of them are newspapers created and owned by Native American Minnesotans.
Split Rock Lighthouse shines with new tours, Indigenous history exhibit
Minnesota’s iconic North Shore lighthouse has transformed itself over the last few years since the pandemic. A recent trip found a new walking tour and new detail on the history of the Native American people who were there long before the 114-year-old tower. 
Native communities take the stage on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Minnesota State Fair
NATIFS hosted Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday. This year, the Native News team from MPR News joined in on the day, sharing music, dancing and interviews at the MPR booth.
Tribal leaders weigh in on Walz’s work with tribal-state relations
Though there have been “moments of disagreement and difference,” tribal leaders across the state have voiced their support for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, pointing to his efforts to build tribal-state relations.
Activist Arnold Dahl-Wooley advocates, educates about the two-spirit community in rural Minnesota
After experiencing the difficulties of growing up as a two-spirit person in rural Minnesota, activist Arnold Dahl-Wooley is now working to help others and educate the larger community. He will take his message to the Bemidji Pride celebration this weekend.
Indigenous leaders, delegates gather at the Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is where presumed nominee Vice President Kamala Harris will be formally elected by party delegates, over 100 of them Indigenous and part of the Native American Caucus. The convention starts Monday in Chicago.