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    Minnesota State Councils and Commissions

    The Minnesota legislature created councils and comissions to represent and advocate for Minnesota’s communities of color, Indigenous communities, and the disability community. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights works with the councils and comissions on issues related to diversity and inclusion and encourages Minnesotans to get connected with them. 

    Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans 

    The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans is an executive branch, non-cabinet agency tasked with the responsibility of working for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality of Asian Pacific Minnesotans. The Council's primary customers are the Governor, the Legislature, state agencies, and Asian Pacific organizations and citizens.

    Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs 

    The Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) advises and informs the governor and legislators on matters of importance to Latinos in Minnesota. MCLA does this by tracking state legislation and analyzing the impact that policy, procedures, laws or regulations have on Latino Minnesotans. MCLA also conducts research and relays data within various policy areas impacting Minnesota Latinos. 

    MCLA is the Latino community’s liaison and bridge to government, agencies and nonprofit sectors. MCLA’s objective is to empower Latinos, by injecting their voice into the legislative and policy making process, to become strong, visible and self-sufficient Minnesotans. Another role is to serve as a referral agency ensuring Latino Minnesotans are connected to the appropriate services and programs offered by state, local and community resources.

    Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans 

    The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans advises the Governor and legislature on issues impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or two-spirit Minnesotans.

    The Council works for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality for Minnesota’s LGBTQIA2S+ community. The Council also serves as a liaison between state government and organizations serving Minnesota’s LGBTQIA2S+ community.

    Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage 

    The Minnesota Legislature created the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (CMAH), formerly the Council on Black Minnesotans, in 1980 to ensure that people of African heritage fully and effectively participate in and equitably benefit from the political, social, and economic resources, policies, and procedures of the State of Minnesota. 

    The Council advises the Governor and Legislature on issues that affect the African Heritage community. The Council also serves as a liaison to the federal government, local government units and private organizations on matters relating to people of African Heritage in the state of Minnesota. 

    Minnesota Indian Affairs Council

    The mission of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) is to protect the sovereignty of the 11 Minnesota Tribes and to ensure the well-being of American Indian citizens throughout the state of Minnesota. Established in 1963, the MIAC provides a liaison office to the eleven sovereign tribal nations and state government. 

    The council also advises and makes recommendations to state policy makers, including the Governor and Legislature. The MIAC proposes the yearly agenda for the annual Governor/Tribal Leader summit. The MIAC also fulfills duties found in MS 307.09, through its Cultural Resources program. The Cultural Resources program works to protect Indian gravesites and burial mounds statewide.

    Minnesota Council on Disability

    The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) advises the Governor, state agencies, State Legislature, and the public on disability issues. MCD's mission is to advocate for policies and programs in the public and private sectors that advance the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities. To accomplish that mission, MCD concentrates on policy, training, and being the State of Minnesota’s premiere disability-related technical resource.

    Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing

    The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH) serves as the principal agency of the state to advocate on behalf of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others.

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