Minnesota Native News

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This is the Minnesota Native News Health Report. I’m Marie Rock.

This week....we share from an earlier recording on the outlook of the COVID-19 pandemic as understood by one healthcare professional. Here’s reporter Feven Gerezgiher with that interview and the latest on COVID-19 vaccines.

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STORY A

U.S. health officials recently approved a new COVID-19 vaccine option for adults, hoping it will appeal to people that have yet to receive a single dose.

This vaccine is called Novavax and it’s used across Europe, as well as in Canada, Australia, South Korea and other countries.

Novavax is deemed a traditional option because it’s a protein vaccine. Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent other diseases, like hepatitis B and shingles.

Novavax vaccines are expected to be available in the next few weeks.

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The Minnesota Department of Health still recommends getting tested if you have COVID symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID. It also recommends testing proactively – before attending large events or traveling.

Appointments and walk-ins are available at community testing sites. Those include sites in Duluth, Moorhead, Brooklyn Park, St. Paul, and the MSP Airport –- where people testing positive can receive a prescription for treatment at the same time.

Free at-home rapid test kits are available through both the state and federal government.

Find links to order those kits and other resources on COVID-19....on our website: Minnesota Native News dot org slash health

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STORY B

Previously on the Minnesota Native News Health Report, we connected with Antony Stately, CEO and President of the Native American Community Clinic, to hear how providers - and his family - have been faring throughout the pandemic.

Our conversation was in March...not long after the winter holidays when the Omicron variant of COVID-19 first spread like wildfire.

What we've learned from this process is that, you know, just when we think we're in a safe place and we make the decision to go maskless and go back to Fourth of July parties, and get close and have motorcycle rallies that crisscross the country and those kinds of things. Just as we're doing that and thinking that it’s safe to go back to the way life, quote unquote, used to be? That's exactly when we ended up getting hit by another wave of some type of variant.

Antony said we’re still a ways out from getting ahead of coronaviruses, as they develop easily and rapidly into new strains and variants. He expects his clinic will continue to take precautions.

We have lots of elders who are sort of the bedrock of our cultural knowledge in our community and so wanting to make sure we don't do things that will get them ill is important. We have a lot of people who are very sick with chronic diseases that make them very vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. So being a responsible relative in that space, as a provider and somebody who is important to that community, we have to operate professionally and also personally in ways that would make sure that we're not acquiring COVID-19 and then inadvertently passing it on. So we're taking strong steps to ensure that some of the COVID-19 policies that other spaces and places and jurisdictions, they're sort of kind of relaxing, we're not. [45s]

Outside of the clinic, Antony takes a “calculated risk approach” to decisions about masking and social distancing, taking stock of infection rates — and choosing to be more precautious in places like a crowded grocery store.

I just try to walk through the world personally as a family member and a member of the community kind of trying to just observe my surroundings and make good calculated risks based on history and intelligence and intuition. You know, use that intuitive mind that Creator gave you to make decisions. And I'm trying to also help my children to understand that process and why that's important to sort of kind of walk through the world right now that way. So you can relax, but not let your guard down necessarily.

For the Minnesota Native News Health Report, I’m Feven Gerezgiher.

[Marie recorded funder credit]

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This is Minnesota Native News. I'm Marie Rock. Coming up, two opportunities to hear about inspiring work around Indian Country in Minnesota. The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council's Language Revitalization Working Group has partnered with the Minnesota Humanity Center to host a Dakota and Ojibwe Languages Symposium. And the Lower Phalen Creek Project brings Native women's stories to the virtual space for a new twist on winter storytelling. Here's reporter Leah Lemm, with more.
Leah Lemm:
Later this month, the Dakota and Ojibwe Languages Symposium will be bringing together people working in Dakota and Ojibwe Language Revitalization.
Leslie Harper:
We have multiple presenters from Dakota backgrounds and from Ojibwe backgrounds.
Leah Lemm:
Leslie Harper is from the Leech Lake Band in Cass Lake. Leslie volunteers on the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council's Language Revitalization Working Group.
Leslie Harper:
We want to bring attention to Dakota and Ojibwe Language Projects and programs and activities in the state. And to really elevate the idea of Dakota and Ojibwe Languages here to make them visible. And then to give folks who attend a chance to visit and be amongst each other and to reconnect.
Leah Lemm:
The symposium is for Language learners, practitioners, Language teachers and those community members with an interest in the subject.
Leslie Harper:
We want to talk about, what is happening in the state? And really support the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council member tribes and advocating for Language and get the word out and support the Indian Affairs Council. When they have to go in and go to all the legislative sessions and support to have some updated responses and then to be forward-looking, looking at the future.
Leah Lemm:
And there are quite a few presentations to look forward to.
Leslie Harper:
There are different community Language programs that are operating intergenerational Language learning projects in a community setting. The OOG Program out of Fond du Lac which works with adult Language learners and baby Language learners, is going to be presenting on a lot of things that they're doing. Minneapolis Public School is presenting on efforts that they're doing in the public school setting in an urban area.
Leah Lemm:
The Symposium is a partnership between the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council's Language Revitalization Working Group and the Minnesota Humanities Center. It'll be done virtually and takes place on February 24th and 25th, more information and registration on the Minnesota Humanity Center website, MNhum.org, mnhum.org. Next winter storytelling, done in a new way. Mishaila Bowman, who is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota is organizing the event.
Mishaila Bowman:
I work for Lower Phalen Creek Project, which is a Native led environmental nonprofit here on East Side of St. Paul and I function as our Communications and Events Coordinators. On Thursday, February 17th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. We will be hosting our take on contemporary storytelling.
Leah Lemm:
The evening will consist of more personal stories rather than traditional or creation stories.
Mishaila Bowman:
Me and my executive director for Lower Phalen Creek Project, Maggie Loren, we're just talking about how it is so lovely to see so many storytelling events happening, especially in this virtual era that we are sort of in right now. But how we really wanted to do a more contemporary twist on a storytelling, particularly to uplift the voices of our Native women in our community that we admire.
Leah Lemm:
The three storytellers include, HolyElk Lafferty, Sandy White Hawk and Stephanie Autumn.
Mishaila Bowman:
HolyElk Lafferty, who is Mnicoujou and Oglala Lakota will be talking about her stories of resistance and healing. Whether that's standing down the US government at uprisings, like Standing Rock or just her experiences as a Lakota mother and daughter and auntie. And Sandy White Hawk is going to be talking about ICWA and adoptee stories and all of her work in that field. And then Stephanie Autumn is going to be talking about, so much of her experiences, learning from other women and different social movements.
Leah Lemm:
Find the event through Lower Phalen Creek's social media pages, Instagram and Facebook. For Minnesota Native news. I'm Leah Lemm.

HEADLINES: This week on Minnesota Native News: Lower Sioux Indian Community reclaims 114 acres, a Sumer opportunity for Native college students and a timely review for TV watchers.

STORY #1 - Canca’yapi Returns to Lower Sioux Indian Community (2:30)
The Lower Sioux Indian Community in Canca’yapi [Chosh-shay-ah-pee] recently reclaimed 114 acres of land from the state of Minnesota. Reporter Melissa Townsend has those details and more.

This 114 acres is part of the homelands of the Dakota people. This spot, called the Lower Sioux Agency, is where the war of 1862 began. That war ended with the forced removal of many Dakota people from Minnesota.

Cheyanne St John is the Tribal Historic Preservation officer and Director of Lower Sioux Cultural Department.

ST JOHN: Our indigenous people have always had such a strong connection to land so when we had these forced removals and all these different traumatic events happen, one of the ways in which we were able to find little bits of healing and reconnection to identity was through land and returning to our homeland. (:24)

In 2004 conversations began between the tribe and the state about the tribe reclaiming this land. It’s taken nearly 2 decades for the process to unfold. It involved the state legislature, the DNR, the Historical Society, the federal government and 31 other tribes.

ST. JOHN: Any tribes that have direct affiliation with Canca’yapi or this part of Minnesota are notified of what is being proposed so without the support of those 31 tribes it could have been a much longer process. (:17)

St John says she doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to say the tribe now “owns” the land.

ST JOHN: From an indigenous perspective, land is not owned - our connection to our history is far stronger than any piece of paper that could be signed. (:12)

Now that the tribe is the steward of the land St John says it will retain the site as- is.

ST. JOHN: Maybe down the road there would be some planning and conversations in the community about how to make that space a bit more contemporary in telling our Dakota history. (:13)

St John says she feels grateful to all the people who have worked over the past two decades to return this land to the Dakota people. She feels lucky to be here when the final documents were actually signed.

In other news —

STORY #2 - MNHS Internship (1:05)
The Minnesota Historical Society is planning to host 5 Native college students for a 10 week paid internship this summer.

The Native American Museum Undergraduate Fellowship engages Native students in exploring the world of tribal historic preservation and museum exhibits.

Ambar Annis, Mnicoujou Lakota, is Program and Outreach Manager at the Minnesota Historical Society.

She says the program is part of the museum’s efforts to indigenize story telling about Native communities and culture.

ANNIS: We’re trying to working to make sure it’s native people who are telling the stories, that it’s Native Nations and Native communities members who are coming to us who are saying these are the stories that need to be told and we need to be in control of those. (:12)

Because of Covid-19 the 10 week summer program will start online.

Annis says they hope to gather all the interns in St Paul for the final few weeks of the program to visit sites and work safely in-person together.

Interns receive money for travel, food and their time. Housing is also arranged.

For those interested, search for Native American Fellowship at the website mnhs.org.

For Minnesota native News, I’m Melissa Townsend.

STORY #3 - WandaVision Review
Finally, as we are still spending a lot of time indoors at home, Gerry Zink recommends a new show from Marvel Studios - the studio behind Endgame, the highest grossing movie of all time. Zink is a 17 year old Lakota comics aficionado. Here is his review of Wandavision.

Wandavision is the first TV show made by Marvel Studios post Endgame, and it’s the first in a long line of shows made exclusively for Disney Plus. It stars Scarlet Witch and Vision, from the most recent Avengers movies.

It is the first time marvel has veered into sitcom territory, with a little mix of alternate reality fiction and 1950s surrealism. The characters fit very well within the sitcom landscape, with many hilarious sketches and jokes. While the show is very funny, it also uses the audience's broader knowledge of the Marvel universe to generate a decent amount of tension within the audience. It is impossible to say any more without spoiling, but Wandavision is a great watch for Friday nights on Disney Plus.

Marie: This is Minnesota Native News, I’m Marie Rock.

Last month, the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis had a virtual watch party on social media, bringing together viewers to see what community members are saying about sexual health and and related topics, including why it’s difficult to talk about sex.

We’ll hear more about how the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis works with the community to talk about sexual health.

But first... the US Census is well on its way, collecting information from citizens across the country... And, there’s still time to fill out the Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the 2020 census deadline to September 30th due to the pandemic.

Here’s reporter Leah Lemm with these stories.

STORY #1: CENSUS REMINDER WITH IHS DANIEL FRYE

REPORTER: The Indian Health Service is a critical program.... Of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services... providing healthcare to American Indian/Alaskan Natives nationwide.

The Indian Health Service or I-H-S uses Census data to plan its programs... and to determine funding formulas and more.

But, when it comes to Native representation in the US, the trend has always been under-representation, which has negatively affected many areas including: Native visibility, political clout, reservation economic development.... and Federal funding allocation.

Daniel Frye is the Bemidji Area Director of the Indian Health Service:

Dennis Frye: As a Native American, I want to see us properly represented, that's a fact. So, you know, I was happy to fill out my census. And you know, there is urgency because there's always been either under-representation Racial misclassification in Indian country.

And all those things are tied to when Congress is looking at how we're going to appropriate dollars.

REPORTER: You can still respond to the census by phone, by mail, or online. More information can be found at 20-20 CENSUS DOT GOV.

Reporter: Next up... the challenge of reaching people with sexual health education.

STORY #2: INDIAN HEALTH BOARD OF MINNEAPOLIS SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Delilah Robb: (00:16) my name is Delilah Robb. I'm a community health educator at the Indian health board of Minneapolis and the Indian health board is a clinic that's located in the Phillips neighborhood. It's been there for almost 50 years.

Reporter: Delilah Robb is Turtle Mountain and her works revolve around educating all age groups about sexual health.

Delilah says that many parents and grandparents never received sexual health education.

Delilah Robb: (02:23) there's a long history of reproductive abuse against American Indian women. And that really is rooted from like forced sterilization. Um, so I really try to be mindful about like, let's just educate so our community can make their own informed decision.

(15:03) I’m American Indian myself, um, and growing up, I feel like I didn't have all the answers that I wanted, um, and I needed. Um, and I didn't even realize that I needed that information until I was in my twenties

REPORTER: The sexual health program is funded by the Minnesota Department of Health and strives to reduce STDs and unplanned pregnancies... and so much more.... Delilah talks about sexuality beyond those immediate issues, as well.

Delilah Robb: (04:57) when I try to describe what sexuality, um, is, is to people, I like people to think about a pie and we all have these different pieces of the pie and our sexuality is made up a lot of different things.

It's not just the physical aspect of ourselves. It's our, um, reproductive health, it's our body image. It is our sexual orientation. It's our gender identity. It's how we express love and affection. So I always try to like, get people to think about, um, sexuality in a more holistic way.

REPORTER: And through these aspects that are a part sexual health education, Delilah relates to culture and values....

Delilah: (07:52) our stories have, um, lots of are a story can have a lot of different types of lesson in it, lessons in it where it may not specifically be about sexual health, but there may be a lesson in there about treating each other with respect.

So those are the types of things that I, I would like to incorporate into the education that I do.

REPORTER: Delilah is open to answering questions. She can be reached by email at [email protected]. That’s DELILAH DOT ROBB @ indian health board DOT com.

For MN Native News, I’m Leah Lemm.

A new bill proposes to transfer state lands encompassing Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. Although this proposal at the legislature is recent, the idea of tribal jurisdiction over the Upper area of Red Lake is a long-standing affair.