The Oct. 11 fire began at Dollar Plus, a Somali-owned store at 1300 E. Franklin Ave., and spread to the connected Minnesota Chippewa Tribe building that houses urban tribal offices. The store and offices occupy connected buildings; the fire did not begin in the urban offices. The cause remained undetermined Monday.
Store owner Abdullahi Omar and his brother escaped safely, as did five people gathered for sewing and beading at the Bois Forte Urban Office. The store was destroyed. Omar told MPR News his insurance had lapsed as rising premiums and declining sales strained his business.
The neighboring tribal building houses the Bois Forte and Fond du Lac urban offices, which provide food, clothing, and other essentials to tribal members and neighborhood residents. Water and smoke damage have disrupted services.
In a Facebook update, Rolanda Laroque said administrators entered the building Monday afternoon and found severe water and smoke damage. Fire reached only a small portion of the tribal building and was quickly extinguished.
Laroque reported that the room holding historical Dakota and Ojibwe language records was the only room on her organization’s side left undamaged. Staff is working with community partners to relocate archives and classroom materials. Administrative offices remain closed, with a temporary location hoped for by the end of the week.
MPR News also reported that Wicoie Nandagikendan’s curriculum materials and archives escaped fire and water damage. The Circle’s editor, Robert Pilot, confirmed its archives were undamaged.
Fond du Lac staff plan to cook stored bison, walleye and venison at a community feast Thursday in the building’s parking lot. Residents should watch for reopening notices from each office.
Sources:
- Melissa Olson, MPR News, “Store owner, Native American bands assess damage after Minneapolis fire,” Oct. 13, 2026.
- Rolanda Laroque, Facebook comment providing a fire update.
