The American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC), in partnership with CommonBond Communities, has completed the Bii Di Gain Dash Anwebi (Come in and rest) elders housing project, which  opened its doors to residents on September 28. Funded by a $6.78 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development under HUD Section 202, the project was designed to provide elders 62 years of age or older with quality, affordable housing.
"Our elders deserve more than what was available," said Michael Goze, President and CEO of AICDC.
The initiative began in 2010, when AICDC collaborated with Inter-Tribal Elder Services (ITES) to reach out to elders in south Minneapolis's Native community. A market feasibility study conducted through the Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund revealed that many elders are paying up to 70% of their net income for housing and that there was a need for 600 affordable elders apartments within the south Minneapolis area. Through the subsidies at Bii Di Gain Dash Anwebi, elders that make 50% or less of the city's mean household income are required to pay only 30% of their income in order to rent a new apartment.

All Native Musical offers uplifting tour of end of the world
New Native Theatre performs the first all Native American musical to In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. The show, co-produced with Bedlam Theatre, is a comical romp inspired by the hoopla surrounding the end of the Mayan calendar. 2012: The Musical! celebrates the Native sense of humor and looks toward the future. The show is a locally grown production, with the story taking place on Franklin Ave.
At the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. Previews: Nov. 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm. Opening night: Nov. 9 at 7:30 pm. Other showtimes: Nov. 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm; Nov. 14, 15 at 10:00 am; and Nov. 11, 18 at 3:00 pm. All tickets $15, $12 group discount, no one turned away for lack of funds.

On November 6, Minnesotans will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for many important decisions. One decision that is most important to American Indians is the decision to vote no to the question of photo ID on the ballot. The decision of whether to amend the state constitution to require presenting a government-issued state photo identification to exercise the right to vote is one that will negatively impact American Indians. When a person who maintains a photo identification card with updated residential information reads the question of photo ID on the ballot, it sounds fair. What's hidden behind the question is blatant oppression and a change in law that will effectively disenfranchise American Indians, other people of color, and many others from voting in future elections. Among those faced with the brunt of the financial burden of a so-called "free" identification card will be low-income people, elderly voters, students and others who move frequently, homeless people, and people with disabilities. It is no news to American Indian people in Minnesota that the poverty rate among American Indians is high - according to MNCompass, over 40 percent of American Indian individuals in the state live below the poverty level, the highest poverty rate among all groups. Of all racial and ethnic groups in the state, American Indians also experience the highest rate of disability (of those ages 18-64, nearly 22 percent live with a disability).

He was a hero. Make no mistake about it. And, his death in late October, is a great loss to America, not just Indians, he challenged us a to be better people. In l973, life was not good on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, the reservation from which he came. Life expectancy was around 44 years of age and the reservation had a murder rate about eight times higher than the most violent American city. And repression reigned. Off the reservation, things were often worse. In l972, Oglala Raymond Yellow Thunder was beaten, stripped naked and paraded in the American Legion in Gordon, Nebraska. He was stuffed in a car trunk, and a few days later died of injuries sustained in his beating. South Dakota and Nebraska were perhaps the most racist states in the country, barring Mississippi. Oglala Lakota elders asked for help and American Indians from the Twin Cities, and from urban areas or reservations came. Russell Means came. He was one of many. That was the beginning of the American Indian Movement. The passing of Oglala Lakota activist Russell Means to the Spirit World marks the end of an era, and hopefully, the beginning of a new one. Means was a leader, and an Ogichidaa, one who stood for the people.