JANUARY – APRIL 2012

It's a Presidential Election year and Native Vote Alliance of Minnesota is working up its finances to make headway with increasing data and planning for a great American Indian voter turn-out in November.

The silent auction fundraiser event in conjunction with the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe's Annual Legislative Dinner held at the Science Museum in St. Paul on February 21, 2011 was a success with a total of $877 generated. Native Vote Alliance of Minnesota expresses gratitude to the contributors of the event:

• Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Red Lake Urban Office Duluth
• Red Lake Nation
• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
• Prairie Island Indian Community
• White Earth Nation
• Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
• Eugene Whitebird, Leech Lake Representative
• Robbie Howe Bebeau, Leech Lake Representative
• Donald Finn, Leech Lake Secretary/Treasurer
• White Earth Land Recovery Project
• Clair and Juan Gonzales
• Michael and Patricia Smith

Issues update:

Odds improve for election of an American Indian legislator, Bemidji Pioneer, March 1, 2011. http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100037319/

Redistricting in Minnesota turned out positive districts for the possibility of electing a Red Lake or Leech Lake band member to the Minnesota Legislature. House 2A now has an American Indian population of 18.3 percent and a total minority percentage of 20.6, meaning one in five voters will be of minority races. The new House 5A may have an even greater chance of sending American Indians to the Legislature this year. House 5A now has an American Indian population of 19.5 percent with a total minority population of 23.1%, nearly one of four 4 voters representing a minority race.