DEED’s new direction with Tribal Nations

For too long, Minnesota’s tribal nations did not have a voice on matters of state policy. That was until Executive Order 19-24, the state’s strongest order yet, affirming the government-to-government relationship between the state and tribal   nations in Minnesota. The  order mandated, in part, that Minnesota state agencies maintain ongoing consultation with tribes. DEED began our in-person consultations with tribal nations this fall and will continue consultations into 2020. One of our first objectives is to identify priority issues and engage tribes in the development of annual legislative and fiscal proposals.

Commissioner Grove and I have traveled over the last months to meet with the respective tribal leaders at Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Prairie Island Indian Community, Lower Sioux Indian Community and the Red Lake Nation. In January, we’ll travel to Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Additional consultations will soon follow as we continue our visits to all 11 tribal nations in the state. I will provide updates on our tribal   consultations as they continue to progress.

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