WHEREAS, November has been designated Native American Heritage Month by every President since 1995; and

WHEREAS, November 2020 has been designated Native American Heritage Month by Governor Walz; and

WHEREAS, the month celebrates the culture and accomplishments of the people who first inhabited the United States, Minnesota and Hennepin County; and

WHEREAS, The Indigenous Peoples who resided on this land prior to the arrival of European settlers, experienced a history of interactions with Europeans and European American settlers that was defined by broken promises, violence, deprivation, and disease; and

WHEREAS, Hennepin County is home to Tribal Nations and a resilient and robust urban Native American community, and

WHEREAS, Hennepin County strives to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples. We seek to promote practices and policies that honor the county’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions. We recognize Indigenous People as contemporary peoples; and are committed to meaningful and genuine government-to-government relationships with the Tribal Nations that share the State’s geography; and

WHEREAS, During Native American Heritage Month, Hennepin County honors the vibrant and diverse Native American cultures in our community today. We renew our commitment to our government-to-government relationships, and promote appreciation, tolerance, reconciliation, understanding, friendship, and continued partnerships among all Minnesotans and the Native Peoples of this land.