MPR Archive presents a collection of varied Native topics in and around Minnesota. Stories include interviews, commentary, events, speeches, documentaries, and reports.
October 6, 1974 - Dr. Philip McNairy, the head bishop of the Minnesota Episcopal Diocese, discusses the role of the Episcopal church in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee incident. Dr. McNairy also discusses relations between Native Americans and non-native populations in both the rural and urban areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota.
November 29, 1974 - Clyde Bellecourt has been invited to participate in an international meeting of the World Council of Churches at Montreux, Switzerland, the first WCC to invite representation by Native Americans. He says the principal goal is to elicit support for American Indian treaty rights. Bellecourt also looks to ask for financial support.
January 14, 1975 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews a man who visited Gresham Alexian Novitiate after Menominee Warrior Society takeover. Interviewee talks about who comprises novitiate occupiers, describes an Indian grand jury held to determine the complaints people had on the reservation, discusses how Menominee land lost for taxes and then sold, and an explanation of the Menominee tribe’s situation compared with other tribes in a white-dominated society.
January 20, 1975 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan reports on continued occupation of the Gresham Novitiate, which is in its 20th day. Tensions remain high, with issues and demands of Indians inside starting to escalate and 350 National Guardsmen surrounding the abbey. Possession of abbey appears as a vehicle for exposing problems seething for many years.
February 3, 1975 - MPR’s Kevin McKiernan reports on announcement of settlement after a month long Alexian monastery occupation. Early Sunday evening, Brother Maurice Wilson read statement of agreement to end novitiate occupation. Alexians will convey title of novitiate to Menominee Indian tribe in an attempt to prevent further violence. Deed will be transferred to new tribal government.
February 4, 1975 - MPR host Gary Eichten talks with MPR reporter Kevin McKiernan about the end of occupation with Gresham abbey occupiers taken to jail by local authorities. 39 people were booked at the jail and charged with criminal trespassing to a dwelling, which is a misdemeanor, however some may be charged with felonies. Immunity from prosecution was not part of the agreement that the Native group reached with Alexian Brothers.
February 24, 1975 - A survey of the activities in and around the Alexian Brothers Monastery in Gresham, Wisconsin during the takeover by members of the Menominee Warrior Society. Includes comments by members of the Warrior Society, Ada Deer, Dennis Banks, National Guard commander Colonel Hugh Simonson, and others.
March 5, 1975 - MPR’s Dulcie Lawrence reports on pubic commentary at State Capitol at meeting regarding Nelson-Spear bill that would appropriate $900,000 for 10 bilingual bicultural programs in the state.
August 15, 1975 - As part of KCCM's Our Home Town series, this program is a sound portrait of Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Highlights discussion on Michif culture. Also includes interview with Francis Cree on traditional Indian religion.
August 15, 1975 - As part of KCCM's Our Home Town series, this program is a sound portrait of Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Highlights discussion on assimilation issues between the Indian and white cultures.