Minnesota Native News

06/11/2025

This week on :
Leah & Cole speak with Janis Fairbanks, chair of the Language Advisory Board of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Janis recently released Sugar Bush Babies: Stories of My Ojibwe Grandmother, a memoir in lessons learned from her grandmother during the era of Indian Relocation.

Tune in for the full episode, including Janis's her advice for aspiring writers: https://minnesotanativenews.org/janis-a-fairbanks-lessons-learned-and-memories-of-her-ojibwe-grandma/

Today, we are excited to welcome Janis A. Fairbanks to Native Lights. Janis is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She recently released a book called Sugar Bush Babies: Stories of My Ojibwe Grandmother, a memoir in lessons learned from her grandmother during the era of India...

05/11/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News: a special extended interview from a past segment. Travis Zimmerman interviews award-winning author, educator, activist, and chef Sean Sherman about his latest cookbook, recent award, and next restaurant.

Tune in for the interview: https://minnesotanativenews.org/mnn-extended-interview-sean-sherman/

This week, a special extended interview from a past segment. Travis Zimmerman interviews award-winning author, activist, and Chef Sean Sherman about releasing a new cookbook this month and opening a new restaurant in the spring of 2026.

29/10/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News, we feature an extended interview from a past segment. Producer CJ Younger spoke with writer Marcie R. Rendon about her 2024 released poetry book, Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium.

Tune in for the interview: https://minnesotanativenews.org/mnnextmarcie

This week, a special extended interview from a past segment. CJ Younger interviews writer Marcie R. Rendon about her 2024 released poetry book, Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium. —–Producer: CJ YoungerEditing: Britt Aamodt, Victor PalominoAnchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Emily Krumbe...

23/10/2025

Please share.

--- SYSTEM WIDE NOTIFICATION ---

Aaniin Fond du Lac Band Staff,

As we enter hunting season, on behalf of the family of Peter Martin, our own Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal member who has been missing since March 8, 2024, is asking for our continued support in locating his whereabouts.



Peter was last seen in Brookston, Minnesota, in the Mahnomen neighborhood of our Fond du Lac Reservation. While his exact whereabouts remain unknown, this area and the surrounding region remain of particular interest.



The family is asking for our help. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts often travel through remote areas that others do not and these places may hold clues. If you or someone you know will be spending time in the woods this season, please remain extra observant and report anything unusual that could help bring answers to Peter’s loved ones.



If you find any clues, such as clothing, remains, or suspicious items:

Do not approach or disturb anything
Mark your location using GPS
Contact law enforcement immediately for support


Peter’s disappearance has deeply affected his family and our Fond du Lac Band community. Any type of coverage or word of mouth during this season could make a vital difference. Please take a moment to review all of the attached information and flyers. Even a brief conversation or social media post could reach someone who knows something. The family asks for as many as possible to help amplify this message.

Reward Information

A reward of up to $15,000 is being offered for credible information related to Peter’s disappearance:

$10,000 from the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund (MMIR Office)
$5,000 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services

Reward Breakdown:

$1,000–$2,500 for tips that lead to significant progress
$10,000 for information leading to Peter’s location or an arrest
$15,000 for information that helps locate remains or close the case, even without a conviction

All tips will be reviewed confidentially, and anonymity will be respected.

Contact Information:

Fond du Lac Tribal Police Department: 218-878-8040
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office: 218-726-2340
BIA Missing and Murdered Unit: 833-560-2065
Text your tip: Send BIAMMU followed by your message to 847411

For questions, please direct all inquires to the family of Peter Martin:

Linda Martin-Proulx | [email protected] | 218-241-1722

Miigwech for your continued support and care for our relatives.

22/10/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News, we feature Once Upon a Shore, an all-Indigenous art exhibit curated by Heid E. Erdrich at Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum, plus actor Dallas Goldtooth shares details about his new role in "The Last Frontier."

Tune in for the full segment from producers Dan Ninham and Deanna StandingCloud: https://minnesotanativenews.org/heiddallas/

This week, we feature Once Upon a Shore, an all-Indigenous art exhibit curated by Heid E. Erdrich at Winona’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum, plus actor Dallas Goldtooth shares details about his new role in The Last Frontier. —– Producers: Dan Ninham, and Deanna StandingCloudAnchor: Marie RockScr...

22/10/2025

🌊 Reminder: FREE WELL WATER SCREENING CLINIC is this week! Protect your health and your family’s future.🌊

📅 Thursday, October 23 | 11 AM – 5 PM
📍 Baadwewidang Community Center
43500 Virgo Road, Onamia, MN 56359
(Across Hwy 169 from Grand Casino)

💧 Bring a quart of your well water (in a clean glass or hard plastic container) and get it screened FREE for nitrates and chlorides.
✅ Label the date you collected the sample
✅ If your home uses water treatment (other than a softener), bring a before & after sample
✅ Meet with groundwater experts for free consultations about your well and drinking water

🎯Learn more at www.MNWO0.org or call 507-993-5842.

💧 Don’t miss this chance to learn what’s in your water and how to keep it safe!

21/10/2025

Police need your help locating this missing person. Please share.

10/21/25, Update to Missing Person Nevaeh Kingbird

Nevaeh Kingbird was last seen on 10/22/21. Nevaeh’s family, friends and Bemidji Police Department continue to search and follow leads in her disappearance. Bemidji Police Detectives continue to receive and follow up on all information related to Nevaeh.

"Nevaeh once wrote, 'If we speak to each other in our Ojibwe language, we will never have to question who we are.' We will not forget her, and we will never give up our search for answers," said her mother, Teddi Wind.

With the fall season upon us, and with the Minnesota State Deer season approaching, the Bemidji Police Department reminds everyone to remain watchful and vigilant while outdoors and to report any suspicious activity or property immediately.

It is believed Nevaeh was wearing either a black zip up hoody, or a red sweatshirt with the “bull” logo as shown in the above images. She was also believed to be wearing blue “skinny” style jeans, a white undershirt, and black and red Nike sandals as shown above.

The Bemidji Police Department, along with our partner agencies, continue to work diligently to find Nevaeh We request that if you have any information or have seen any of the clothing articles above to please contact our department directly at 218-333-9111.

The Bemidji Police Department has partnered with Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office (MMIR) to offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information in this case. This reward is part of a historic state initiative to offer cash incentives for tips in eligible MMIR investigations including long-term missing persons, suspicious death and homicide cases. To be eligible for an a reward, tips must provide specific and actionable information that advances the investigation. Anonymous tips are accepted.

“No parent should live with these kinds of questions,” said MMIR Director Guadalupe Lopez. “Someone out there knows what happened to Neveah and we are asking them to help bring this family the truth.”

If you have information about this missing person case you can report it and stay anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at their website www.CrimeStoppersMn.org, by calling the toll-free phone number 1-800-222-TIPS [8477]; or by using the P3 Tip Submit app installable on all smartphones. All contact with Crime Stoppers is anonymous and you may qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. To be eligible for the reward the tip must be submitted through Crime Stoppers. The Bemidji Police Department encourages you to submit information to Crime Stoppers, so you are free of retribution and remain safe while ‘doing the right thing’.

www.CrimeStoppersMn.org

Mike Mastin, Chief of Police
Bemidji Police Department
613 Minnesota Avenue
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218)333-8437, Fax (218)333-8370
[email protected]
www.ci.bemidji.mn.us

16/10/2025

This week on :
Leah speaks with Wóokiye Wiŋ, who teaches the Dakota language for Dakhódiapi Wahóȟpi at the U of MN Child Development Laboratory School. She’s also the illustrator of Dakota language children’s books.

Tune in for the full episode to hear about Wóokiye's process of making her own paint pigments and her passion to revitalize the Dakota language: https://minnesotanativenews.org/wookiye-win-digging-for-artistic-inspiration-and-watercolor-pigments-in-nature/

Today, we're thrilled to speak with Wookiye Win. Wookiye Win, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, is an artist and educator. She teaches the Dakota language for the Dakota Language Nest Preschool program at the Institute of Child Development on the University of Minnesota campus. She's also the illustrator of....

15/10/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News, a look at the recent Tribal Flag Plaza Flag-Raising Ceremony at the State Capitol, and a conversation with two members of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Native American Museum Fellowship program. Tune in for the full segment, produced by Deanna StandingCloud and Dan Ninham: https://minnesotanativenews.org/tribalflagnamf/

This week, a look at the recent Tribal Flag Plaza Flag-Raising Ceremony at the State Capitol, and a conversation with two members of the Minnesota Historical Society's Native American Museum Fellowship program.

09/10/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News, how Tribal Colleges and Universities are responding to federal funding cuts, plus, details on Red Lake Nation artist Jonathan Thunder’s new film project. Xan Holston and Travis Zimmerman report. Tune in: https://minnesotanativenews.org/jonathan-thunders-ish-meets-a-mermaid-federal-cuts-hit-tribal-colleges-universities/

This week, how Tribal Colleges and Universities are responding to federal funding cuts, and Red Lake Nation artist Jonathan Thunder shares details about a new film project.

25/09/2025

Simone Senogles died Sept. 20, 2025, with tributes pouring out of the Bemidji community and beyond to her legacy on environmental and social justice issues.

24/09/2025

This week on Minnesota Native News, how Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe officials’ recent approval of the Grand Rapids School District request for an exemption from the state’s mascot ban impacts communities. Plus, a look at how Indigenous fire stewardship is influencing the state's response to wildfires. Chaz Wagner and CJ Younger report.

Tune in: https://minnesotanativenews.org/what-a-recent-exemption-from-minnesotas-tribal-compact-on-mascots-means-to-communities-and-how-indigenous-fire-stewardship-is-influencing-the-states-response-to-wildfires/

This week on Minnesota Native News, how Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe officials' recent approval of the Grand Rapids School District request for an exemption from the state's mascot ban impacts communities. Plus, a look at how Indigenous fire stewardship is influencing Minnesota's response to wildfires.