“Land that was wrongly taken from tribes more than 100 years ago is often only returned if the tribes agree to adhere to someone else’s interpretation of what’s best for the land. There’s a better way to right an old wrong”. - Cris Stainbrook (Oglala Lakota), President, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Join WASH-MN (We Are Still Here)* and MCF for a discussion about Land Back initiatives, including statewide efforts to return sovereignty of Native lands to Indigenous communities. We’ll explore why not knowing the history of Native land is a threat to Indian Country.
Presenters will share historical context as well as current realities. We’ll learn about successful Land Back campaigns in Minnesota that utilized creative financing structures and unique agreements that do not require federal legislation.
Attendees will:
- Better understand issues surrounding Native lands in Minnesota;
- Learn how philanthropic organizations may have benefited from ill-gotten lands;
- Explore ways to put philanthropic resources toward healing in Native communities.
Confirmed presenters:
- Robert Larsen, President, Lower Sioux Indian Community
- Cris Stainbrook, President, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
- Jo-Anne Stately (Facilitator), Director of Impact Strategy-Economic Vitality, The Minneapolis Foundation
Join us for this important conversation. Log-in details will be provided in your confirmation email. This event is open to MCF members and others interested in funding Minnesota's Native organizations. Contact Paul Masiarchin with questions.
*We Are Still Here - Minnesota (WASH-MN) is a project of Native Governance Center that supports a network of people and organizations committed to the Reclaiming Native Truth research and its findings. Task Force members include experts and leaders in Native Governance, K-12 Education, Pop-Culture & Media, and Philanthropy.