“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.
Discussion about Land Back initiatives, including statewide efforts to return the 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.
- Links to Key Resources:
- Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Iltf.org
- National Tribal Land Association, ntla.info
- National Indian Carbon Coalition, indiancarbon.org
- Indian Land Capital Company, ilcc.net
- Lessons of Our Land K-12 curriculum, lessonsofourland.org
- Indian Country Extension, tribalextension.org
- Spirit of Sovereignty scholarship fund, spiritofsov.org
- The Harvard Project, Considerations For Federal and State Landback
- MPRNEWS,Return of 28,000 Acres to Minnesota Tribe likely the largest landback deal ever
- The HILL MHS Returns Land to Lower Sioux Indian Community
