Cultivating Positive Relationships — Government-to-Government
By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR
Mutual respect and understanding is the key piece to strengthening government-to-government relationships and Minnesota’s highest ranking elected officials continue to lead by example in creating unprecedented open dialog between state and tribal governments while protecting tribal sovereignty and placing value on the benefits of collaboration. On Wednesday, June 1, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan officially visited the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation to sit down and intently listen to the Band’s elected and appointed officials share their accomplishments and concerns.
The Governor and Lt. Governor were welcomed to the Biidaabinookwe Government Center with a welcome and an honor song by Little Otter singers followed by a discussion with Band officials in Band Assembly Chambers. After a meal the guests made a visit to Nay Ah Shing Abinoojiiyag Elementary School to visit with staff and students.
Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin welcomed Governor Waltz and Lt. Governor. Flanagan stating she is very appreciative of the relationship with the state of Minnesota and the Governor’s administration. “I want to repeat that I have never had such a strong working relationship with a Governor and Lt. Governor. You set the bar high.”
Significant discussions dialed in on the government-to-government relationships between the State of Minnesota and all Minnesota Tribal nations, and in particular the Mille Lacs Band. While there is still work to be done, the tide is shifting towards a greater understanding of tribal sovereignty and the less-than-ideal government relationships of the past.
During Governor Waltz opening statement he said he and the Lt. Governor are “Well aware that the relationship between the state of Minnesota and our tribal brothers and sisters has not been good…it has certainly never been about sovereignty and respecting the rights of the First Minnesotans. It was good driving today to see the signs noting the 1855 Treaty Boundaries as they should be,” which was greeted by a round of applause from those in attendance.
The Governor noted the focus of his administration. “With the help of Chief Executive Benjamin and the counsel here and other tribal sisters and brothers [the focus] is wanting to make Minnesota the best example in the country of how this should work,” Governor Waltz said. “How the respect goes both ways and how working together and having a clear understanding that there are sovereign decisions to be made.”
The Governor continued citing the relationship with the Chief Executive has been built on mutual respect. “Friends tell friends when they are not getting it right — and that’s the way it is supposed to be — and saying we must do better. That ability, now, to be able to work through those issues and solve problems is showing maturity. It is very import to us to establish this for every future administration that follows. It is not a choice, and you are not doing a favor by visiting our tribal nations. It is the responsibility of the Governor of Minnesota to work on a nation-to-nation status and that expectation should simply be where things start.”
Lt. Governor Flanagan reiterated the improvement of government-to-government relationships with all of Minnesota Tribes and, “In particular, Mille Lacs, that have strengthened the work that we do every day here in Minnesota and across the United States. When Anishinaabe Indian people get out and vote, they make a difference,” said Lt. Governor Flanagan.
Lt. Governor Flanagan said building trust, “is the reason I am here. I know that we don’t always get it right. And I appreciate the feedback and the accountability.”
Commissioners and others in attendance each had a few minutes to give updates for the Governor and Lt. Governor including Corporate Commissioner Joe Nayquonabe Jr., Deputy Assistant Baabiitaw Boyd, Commissioner of Finance Mel Towle, Solicitor General Caleb Dogeagle, and Tribal Police Chief James West. Elder Joe Nayquonabe Sr. also had a moment to speak with the Governor and Lt. Governor. They listened intently and appeared to be impressed by the accomplishments and concerned about areas that needed greater attention.
The Governor and Lt. Governor were enthusiastic during their visit to Nay Ah Shing school. They appeared to be impressed specifically by the STEM class robotics and were seemingly charmed by the heartwarming smiles and the personalized cards drawn by the students with crayons and colored pencils. Nay Ah Shing students were even treated to the ever-popular selfie with Lt. Governor Flanagan.