[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today visited the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, making Governor Walz the first Minnesota Governor to visit all 11 Tribal nations in Minnesota. During their visit, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor met with Chairman Keith Anderson and Secretary and Treasurer Rebecca Crooks-Stratton to learn about Tribal priorities.

“No Governor in the history of our state has visited all 11 Tribal nations. Today that changed,” said Governor Walz. “I am incredibly proud to reach this milestone on the final day of Native American Heritage month. By learning from and working hand-in-hand with Tribal governments, we’ll continue building a state government that works better for everyone and ensures Minnesota is a place where Tribal nations and their citizens can thrive.”

“Since we took office, our administration has been committed to strengthening relationships with all 11 Tribal nations in Minnesota. By traveling to Tribal lands and meeting with the 11 Tribal governments, we’ve put those words into action,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “The Tribal nations are our partners, and these visits are part of ensuring that our relationship with each individual Tribal nation respects their independent self-governance. This is a big deal, and I’m proud to celebrate this milestone, but this isn’t the end of our work. We will continue to maintain our relationships with Tribal nations in a good way for the benefit of Tribal members and all Minnesotans.”

The Governor has now visited all 11 Tribal nations in Minnesota:

• Miskwaagamiiwi-Zaagaiganing (Red Lake Nation): October 29, 2020
• Nah-gah-chi-wa-nong (Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa): October 30, 2020
• Tinta Wita (Prairie Island Indian Community): June 26, 2021
• Zagaakwaandagowininiwag (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa): September 13, 2021
• Pezihutazizi Oyate (Upper Sioux Community): April 12, 2022
• Misi–zaaga’iganiing (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe): June 1, 2022
• Gichi–Onigaming (Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa): September 26, 2022
• Gaa–waabaabiganikaag (White Earth Nation): May 4, 2023
• Cansa’yapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community): August 1, 2023
• Gaa–zagaskwaajimekaag (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe): September 27, 2023
• Mdewakanton (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community): November 29, 2023

In 2021, Governor Walz signed a bill codifying government-to-government relations and Tribal consultation into law. The bill recognizes the unique legal relationship of the 11 Tribal nations; affirms Tribal sovereignty; and requires state agencies to appoint Tribal liaisons and attend Tribal-state relations training for state leaders and employees.