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Capital Investment in Moorhead
In addition to legislative chairs, I also hosted the entire House Capital Investment Committee when they stopped by Moorhead during their Northwest Minnesota Regional Tour last month. The committee typically conducts these tours every two years in preparation for an upcoming Capital Investment Bill - often called a Bonding Bill, as it?s funded by selling state bonds.
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While they were here, we stopped at several local sites for proposed state investment, which included flood mitigation efforts along the Red River, the Moorhead Cultural Mall, improvements to the Moorhead Public Library, and an extension of the Heartland State Trail.?
We brought back significant funds to Moorhead from the State Legislature this year - including $14.7 million for flood mitigation - but so much of that work was completing unfinished business. Now, we?re looking toward the future, and how a new Capital Investment Bill can not only support additional flood mitigation efforts, but revitalize our community with investments in culture, education, and recreation. I look forward to fighting for these investments next session.
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Indigenous Peoples? Day & Indigenous Studies in Minnesota?s Classrooms
On October 9th, we celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day. This was the first time Minnesota officially observed Indigenous Peoples? Day as a state-recognized holiday, and the first time all schools devoted time to informing students about its significance. I had the incredible honor of authoring the legislation enacting this day, and Speaker Melissa Hortman was able to join us in Moorhead to mark the occasion.
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?Excited to have been in Moorhead with Rep. Heather Keeler for Indigenous Peoples? Day! I?m so grateful to Rep. Keeler & the Native American Legislative Caucus for their leadership and work to establish this day as a state holiday.? - Speaker Hortman
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We finally enacted the change earlier this year, following years of advocacy by my fellow colleagues in the Minnesota House Native American Legislative Caucus and members of the eleven tribal nations in Minnesota.
This fall, there is also a new requirement for our education programs to offer Indigenous studies. It is essential for all students to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples have been living in Minnesota for thousands of years, and their cultures and traditions are an important part of the state's heritage. However, Indigenous peoples have often been marginalized and misrepresented in American education. Mandating indigenous studies will help to ensure all students learn the truth about Indigenous peoples and their role in Minnesota's history.
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I was honored to champion this legislation alongside my colleagues in the Native American Legislative Caucus, which was included in our Education Budget this session. Mandating indigenous studies in Minnesota's public schools is an important step toward creating a more equitable education system for all students and their educators.
MPR wrote more on this issue in a story you can read here.?
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Habitat for Humanity
The Lake Agassiz chapter of Habitat for Humanity does amazing work - work I saw firsthand on a recent tour. The folks there are completely dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
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