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- Leonard Peltier supporters in South Dakota rally for his release from prison.
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- Photos: Arielle Zionts
Leonard Peltier supporters rallied for his release in six cities across the country on Monday, warning he is at risk after getting COVID-19 in prison, as Arielle Zionts of South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports from Rapid City.
Photo: City of Roseville
A city in Minnesota is planning to rename a park and may pay select Native people for their input. The Pioneer Press reports the city of Roseville wants to rename Pocahontas Park. The parks and recreation commission has been considering the change since a youth commissioner suggested it in 2020. Commissioners told the city council Monday a majority of comments from the public is in favor of the change pointing to inaccurate and stereotypical imagery often associated with Pocahontas. The commission is considering a stipend for Native Americans to take part in the renaming process. Some commissioners say the payment is no different than paying consultants for guidance. No dollar amount or timeframe has been set for the renaming process.
The Spirit Lake Tribe, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and individual voters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday. They’re challenging North Dakota’s new legislative map, claiming it dilutes the voting rights of Native Americans. They say redistricting has split up Turtle Mountain citizens into two subdistricts and Spirit Lake into one district. Tribal leaders had asked for the two tribes to be drawn into the same district. Plaintiff say they’re limited in electing state legislative seats. The lawsuit alleges violation of the voting rights act. The Native American Rights Fund is among law groups representing the plaintiffs.
Fort Lewis College and the University of Colorado College of Nursing announced a new partnership Monday. They’re teaming up on a four-year undergraduate degree in nursing bringing the medical institute to Fort Lewis, which serves rural and Indigenous students in Southwest Colorado. The first cohort is expected to begin in the fall of 2023.
