Minnesota Tribal Collaborative receives award honoring work

During a ceremony at Black Bear Casino in Carlton on Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Human Services recgonized a coalition of Tribal Nations for their efforts to prevent and help end homelessness among American Indians.

The Minnesota Tribal Collaborative to Prevent and End Homelessness received the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award for their work, presented by Deputy Commissioner Nikki Fargo.

Formed in 2014, the Collaborative includes 10 Tribal Nations working together to address housing challenges and systemic barriers facing Native communities across the state.

Bois Forte, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Red Lake, and White Earth were among the first to form the collaborative. Since then, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Prairie Island, Lower Sioux, and Upper Sioux have also joined.

The Minnesota Tribal Collaborative helps Tribes better serve their communities by improving access to homelessness programs, advocating with lawmakers to secure state and federal funding and expanding opportunities for support across Tribal Nations.