Environment
Guy lands plane on “closed” Red Lake reservation. Oops
By Winona LaDuke
Darren Smedsmo ‘s plane was seized by Red Lake Nation police for trespassing on tribal airspace. That was October 15. I think...
Profiles: Native Americans in Sports
Lifelong memories made for Bemidji HS soccer player Novak
By Dan Ninham
The Bemidji HS varsity girls’ soccer team’s 2025 season is over. For senior team members there are lifelong memories that were made...
Political Matters
Political Matters – November 2025
By Mordecai Specktor
On the “No Kings” protests
Some readers of The Circle likely participated in the Oct. 18 protests against the Trump 2.0 regime. The...
Environment
Creator’s Place empowers Ojibwe artists in Pine Point
By Dan Ninham
Bam’idizowigamig Creator’s Place was founded in 2021 in the tribal village of Pine Point, located a half mile north of Ponsford and both...
Environment
On-demand transportation service links Grand Rapids to tribal communities
By Chandra Colvin/MPR News
With the tap of a button or short phone call, community members living in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Ball Club community can request a free ride with the recently...
It Ain't Easy Being Indian
Long time columnist Kristine Shotley “Ricey Wild” passes on
By The Circle
It is with sadness that The Circle remembers our longtime columnist Kristine “Kris” Shotley, who wrote under the byline “Ricey Wild” for...
Cover Story
Federal government shuts down again under Trump
By The Circle
The federal government’s fiscal year ended at midnight Sept. 30 without a new spending deal in Congress, forcing the government into a...
Cover Story
Bemidji State professor pioneers suicide screening tool for Natives
By Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov/MPR
Native Americans have the highest suicide rate out of any racial and ethnic group in the U.S. Yet there...
Environment
Manoominikewag: wild rice and its deep connections
By Winona LaDuke
Giiwewag. They are coming home. Manoominikwewag — harvesting wild rice is a deep connection back to water and land. The Anishinaabe have...
Cover Story
Dakota-led nonprofit closes distance in cultural learning with videos
By Chandra Colvin/MPR
Dakota-led nonprofit Owámn-iyomni Okhódayapi recently started a video series aimed to share Dakota culture with both Native and non-Native people. The goal...
Environment
Pine Point’s resilience solar and energy hub on WE breaks ground
By Winona LaDuke
After recent political uncertainty regarding funding for solar energy projects nationwide, a northern Minnesota project on the White Earth Nation reservation called...
Environment
Leech Lake Legacy a pillar of animal welfare on Leech Lake...
By K.E. MacPhie
On my first day as a volunteer at Leech Lake Legacy (let’s call it Legacy, for short), I pulled in past a...
Profiles: Native Americans in Sports
Kingbird is the “forever pitcher” on women’s Native softball circuit
By Dan Ninham
Annabell Kingbird is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and lives in Bemidji, MN with her husband Gordon and...
Political Matters
Political Matters – October 2025
By Mordecai Specktor
Revising the Wounded Knee Massacre
On Sept. 27, the New York Times reported that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will not revoke Medals...
Environment
MIWRC opens 24 supportive housing units in Minneapolis
By The Circle
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center has opened 24 permanent supportive housing units in its south Minneapolis facility, welcoming residents into a...
Calendar
Community Calendar – October 2025
ONGOING
MAIC Events
See events at the Mpls American Indian Center on their updated website. MAIC events listings: Sewing Circle, Running Club, Drum and Dance, Pickup...
Environment
Sharing the contents of our “basket” before we depart
By Winona LaDuke
“My heroes are the unacknowledged do-gooders that strive to help because they love humans and plants and water and still believe in...
Cover Story
Hundreds gather to honor Ojibwe who died 175 years ago
By Chandra Colvin/MPR News
For many, summertime activities such as boating and swimming are first to mind when visiting Big Sandy Lake near McGregor in northern...
Cover Story
Expansion of book series “Native American Lives ” celebrated
By K.E. MacPhie
On August 4th, The Minnesota Humanities Center in St. Paul hosted Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and a crowd of writers, readers, and...
Environment
Sometimes We Win Some
By Winona LaDuke
I recently spoke with seventeen-year-old Keeya Wiki about the first descent of the Klamath River, a 263-mile river in Oregon and California....
