Indigenous Commission Projects
Achievements
In 2015 the Indigenous Commission requested to change the name of what was then known as Lake Place Park. Since then they have put their knowledge of culture, history and local needs to work in consulting with local stakeholders to create a new vision for the park. The new name, Gichi-ode’ Akiing which translates to A Grand Heart Place, was adopted by City Council in December 2018. This newly named park will be a place of healing for Indigenous people and all who enter it. It will also offer peace, joy and invitation to people of all cultures. The park’s name will help express a law found in traditional Anishinaabe expressions, nindinawemaganidog, which means “All of my relations”. The park will be an opportunity to showcase the Indigenous history of this area. Having a positive representation of Native culture will be of great benefit for people in the downtown area and for young people who have been inundated with negative stereotypes and representation. This park is about acknowledging the past, but not getting stuck in the trauma or the guilt and fear. We will not forget the past, but this park offers our city an opportunity to create reconciliation through reclaiming the Indigenous part of our history and to move forward with a grand heart.
2018 City Council Resolution adopting the Ojibwe language name
The Indigenous Commission, working with Native Artists had paintings celebrating Chief Buffalo and native culture along the lake walk at Gichi-ode’ Akiing park.
Click here to learn more about the murals and Chief Buffalo.
Duluth Annual Events for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR), are recognized each year by the city of Duluth with Proclamations and Lighting Enger Tower “Red for MMIWR.” Gaagige - Mikwendaagoziwag Honor Fires are Held in Conjunction with Duluth Annual Events for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives. Hosted By: Native Lives Matter Coalition - No More MMIWR Great Lakes Co - Hosted in Support with Gaagige - Mikwendaagoziwag Committee Community Partners, City of Duluth, Duluth Indigenous Commission.
Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag “They Will Be Remembered Forever”
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Reward Fund Program
Gaagige - Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Program was created and officially established in the City of Duluth MN on January 10, 2022, the Duluth City Council unanimously approved the resolution, formalizing the partnership with grassroots and non profit organizations; Native Lives Matter Coalition and Mending the Sacred Hoop establishing the first of its kind Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Reward Fund in the state of Minnesota and Nation.
The name of the reward fund program is called Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag meaning in Ojibwe “They will be remembered forever”The fund offers rewards for information leading to solving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit Relatives open cases with the City of Duluth.
An Indigenous led community response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives epidemic that serves as a model for others and a tool to help law enforcement solve cases of MMIWR cases, moving from awareness to action. The Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag committee anticipates and encourages the growth of the program to include multiple jurisdictions, tribal and state level legislation, with the goal in mind to expand the MN MMIR Office with a Reward Program.
The reward fund program was inspired by the missing Sheila St.Clair case, a current open missing persons case with the City of Duluth. In August of 2015, Sheila St Clair went missing from Duluth, MN. Last seen in the 100 block of West 3rd Street, she is still being sought by her family, friends, and relatives. This is an open case with the Duluth Police Department. The investigation continues, Sheila St Clair has not been found.
Anyone with information on Sheila St. Clair please contact the Duluth Police Department’s Violent Crime Unit: 218-730-5050
Donation Link: Mending the Sacred Hoop - https://mshoop.org/mmiwg2s-reward-fund/ Donations to the Fund by check can be sent to: Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag c/o Woodlands National Bank, 240 North Road, Cloquet, MN 55720
Gaagige Mikwendaagoziwag History and Origin Website : https://updateandnews.wixsite.com/gaagige-mikwendaag-1
Social media: @mikewendaagozi /Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikwendaagozi
the Indigenous Commission, in partnership with the Bemidji Ojibwe Language Project, has developed a list of frequently used words in Ojibwe that can be used by businesses and the public. Recently the Commission has received a grant from the Duluth Legacy Endowment Fund to create an online pronunciation guide
In August 2021 the Indigenous Commission members decided to write a declaration regarding the child graves that were found at the boarding school(s) in Canada to present to city council in order to bring awareness to this 100-year-old incident and others. The Commission worked with City Councilor Renee Van Nett to bring the resolution to City Council.
the Indigenous Commission actively worked to establish an advisory board to the Police Department and City Council for the purposes of fostering relationships and communication between the Police Department and the Duluth Community.
In 2014 the Indigenous Commission successfully applied for a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to conduct an "ethnographic study," one which studies both the historical character of Duluth and the cultural influences the region of the city has felt over many hundreds of years.
The Commission working with University of Minnesota Duluth, worked on a project where people in the community could record themselves on cameras to visually represent an communicate to others about their lived experience.
Click here to view more information about the Generations Project
The Indigenous Commission is an advisory board to City Council, as well as a safe place where people can attend to discuss important events, concerns, and/or ideas that impact the native community. The Commission has used this platform to advise City Council on actions as well as other boards and elected officials.
The Indigenous Commission members are actively working to improve their Community as well thinking towards the future . Some of the specific items the Commission is working on include:
- Improving the Visibility of Native People
- Actively encouraging decolonization
- Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery
- Promoting Missing and Indigenous Woman and Girls, Two Spirt People, Relatives Activities
- Working with education institutions to improve opportunities for Native Youth
- Advocating for Better Health programs
- Supporting Environmental Causes
- Being Water Protectors
Celebrations
the Indigenous Commission holds gatherings that serve free food to the community and supporters, while providing an open and informal public so people can learn what the Indigenous Commission has accomplished, as well as listen to needs in the community and celebrate experiences.
every year the Indigenous Commission organizes events to recognize Indigenous People’s Day, including working with the City of Duluth and the City of Superior to have formal Mayoral proclamations
the Indigenous Commission has hosted many pow-wow celebrations within the City of Duluth, typically they occur at Gichi-ode’Akiing
the Indigenous Commission hosts round dances throughout the year which are well attended by people in the Community.
the Indigenous Commission partners with Community Organizers to celebrate people’s success in achieving sobriety in downtown once a month.