update

this blog is on hiatus - but please check back every once and a while

Recourse for Trafficked Native Women in the Duluth Harbor

I am of Anishinaabe and Cherokee ancestry and a MSW student at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Six years ago, on the White Earth reservation, an elder told me how the Anishinaabe bloodline is found across the world due to slavery. He then added that prostituted women are not to blame for being in prostitution. I have not seen him since.

“Noose” Photo by Flickr user Randen Pederson and used under a Creative Commons license. Duluth, Minnesota USA.

Three years later, after presenting at Black Bear Casino on a report I co-authored, “Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota,” another elder stopped me in the foyer to tell me how Native women, girls, and boys have been sold for sex on the ships in the Duluth port. She said some have been shipped into other countries. She gave me details I had not heard before, then turned on her heel and disappeared into the casino lights. I have not seen her since.

Use of ‘Redskins’ on the Airwaves Is Down 42 Percent

According to data from CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN, the R-word has been spoken by broadcasters during NFL games at least 605 times in the last ten weeks.  Deadspin noted that after ten weeks into the 2013 season, the word was mentioned 1,040 times, which means its use is down 42 percent. Also, references to “Washington” are up 10 percent.

CBS and ESPN have both said that using “Redskins” during broadcasts is up to their individual announcers. Newspaper organizations such as the New York Daily News, The Seattle Times, and The Washington Post’s editorial board have banned the use of the word.

Duluth Police Officer Jouppi Fired From Force

Duluth police officer Richard Jouppi, who was once accused of assaulting a man in detox, has been officially fired from the department.

The termination details are now public since the Duluth Police Union recently dropped its grievance with the City of Duluth over its disciplinary action against Jouppi.

City documents state while a jury did not find Jouppi guilty of 5th degree assault from actions taken in this surveillance video from 2012, he was in gross violation of the police department's code of conduct and ethics.

Documents also show, Jouppi was on a "last chance agreement" before the detox incident for interfering and withholding information involving a sexual assault case because the suspect was Jouppi's friend.

Native American Trafficking in MN

NWA Opposes SF 2256 Wolf Hunt Bill

Northwoods Wolf Alliance strongly opposes SF 2256; says the bill is misleading, undermines wolf advocacy and may hinder tribal wolf protection efforts.

Contact: Reyna Crow Northwoods Wolf Alliance reynacrow@gmail.com 218.269.2661 (text best)

Duluth, MN. The Northwoods Wolf Alliance, an all volunteer group of over 1100 wolf advocates based in northern Minnesota, strongly opposes SF 2256, which was approved by the Minnesota Senate Committee on Environment and Energy yesterday. 

The Northwoods Wolf Alliance urges members of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government to seek broader input, in particular from tribal members and other northern Minnesotans, before advancing a bill that Northwoods Wolf Alliance founder Reyna Crow says will likely led to a permanent hunt on wolves in Minnesota.

Native Women Are Being Sold Into the Sex Trade Through the Duluth Harbor

Native women, children, and unfortunately even babies are being trafficked in the sex trade on freighters crossing the Canadian and U.S. border on Lake Superior between Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Duluth Minnesota.

Next month, Christine Stark—a student with the University of Minnesota, Duluth, who is completing her Master’s degree in social work—will complete an examination of the sex trade in Minnesota, in which she compiles anecdotal, first hand accounts of Aboriginal women, particularly from northern reservations, being trafficked across state, provincial, and international lines to be forced into servitude in the sex industry on both sides of the border.

Honorable Hunters Howl Out Against Wolf Hunts

I am a hunter's daughter who grew up eating the sweet, lean meat of wild game. In our U.S. Forest Service cabin in the High Sierra, we grew strong on elk and venison. Every meal we said grace to God, not the animals whose bodies fed us. I assumed that God, like my father, must be a hunter. I have deep respect for the skilled hunter who has a keen knowledge of nature; who can track, patiently wait, and sustainably hunt for his family.

Donations Needed for the Wolf Walk!

Idle No More and the Northwoods Wolf Allinace just held a very succesful Wolf Walk to protest the MN sport hunt of the wolf.  A number of expenses were incurred while organizing this event.  Donations are being sought so that the organizers don't have to shoulder the burden alone.  If you can donate any amount, it would be greatly appreciated!

click here to make a donation to the Nortwoods Wolf Alliance

Wolf Walk 2013

Wolf Walk 2013

The second season of trapping, snaring and hunting ma'iingan (wolves) in Minnesota is set to begin November 9.

GASHKOZIN!
NIIBAWIN!
GIIGIDOON!

We will have a rally, march, round dance on the shore, then a feast with an open mic (can video your comment and we'll send to the Governor and DNR) and a hand drum contest.

If you are too far away to join us, make your own statement on video and post it here on Oct 12, 2013.

Wolf Walk Schedule:

2:00 pm Gather at the Civic Center Plaza to set up information tables and network with allies

3:00 Rally begins with speakers. Robert DesJarlait of Protect Our Manoomin, Reyna Crow of Northwoods Wolf Alliance and Idle No More Duluth, Skip Sandman who led our ceremony at the Fond du Lac Reservation and who is running for Duluth City Council, Howard Goldman of the Humane Society of the United States and Barry Babcock, an environmental activist and deer hunter who has long lived on the Leech Lake rez, and Melissa Smith of Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf. Bob Shimek, environmental activist and Reyna's long time mentor on wolf and extractive industry

4:00 ish WOLF WALK begins! We travel the same route as last year to what we call Ma'iingan corner where we have our rallies, ie. Lake and Superior Street and wait for the whole line to catch up. Then onto Canal Park, 2 blocks further, and to the shore of Gitchigami for a round dance. This is a friendship dance and everyone is welcome to join in. (Hopefully we will have good weather for this, but rain or shine we will do this). We can also offer some asema. BRING your hand drum.

Then back to Civic Center Plaza, where we hope to have volunteers waiting with elders or others who would have difficulty with the walk, and onto the feast.

5:30- 6:00 ish We will meet at the Central Hillside Community Center where we will hold a feast, and open mic, and a hand drum contest.

Wolf Walk 2013 is sponsored by The Northwoods Wolf Alliance, a grassroots coalition of Anishinaabeg people and their allies working to protect ma'iingan (wolf), particularly in Anishinaabe Akiing.

Niin-Dibinawe Biskaabii (Decolonize Thyself)

Supporters: Ivy Vainio Photographer, Sarah LittleRedfeather Kalmanson Little Redfeather Designs, Terry Goodsky Little Horse Drum Group, Joe Boshey Burnt Side Drum Group, Henry Banks People of Color with Henry Banks, Bob ShimekAnishinaabeg Wolf Consortium.

Co-sponsors: Protect Our Manoomin, Idle No More Duluth, Occupy Duluth, Occupy Minnesota, Native Alliance, Water Legacy, Skip Sandman for Duluth City Council, Red Lake Urban Office, Idle No More Wisconsin, Little Redfeather Designs, I Stand with the Bad River Tribe, Báiki: the International Sami Journal, Socialist Action, Break the Bonds Campaign, and the Northland Anti-War Coalition.

Horseback Protest Against Pipeline

On Sunday, Sept. 29, Anishinaabe horseback riders began a solemn ride along the proposed route of the Enbridge Alberta Clipper Pipeline in northern Minnesota. The ambitious goal is to complete 200-230 miles over 9 days, with one day of rest on thw 8th day. The ride began at the Wisconsin-Minnesota state line and continued 23 miles to a camp on the Fond du Lac Reservation.

Idle No More Duluth Documentary by WGZS-FM

Idle No More Duluth Jingle Dress Event

Skip Sandman Interview, Part 1