‘Commentary’ Archives
Manoomin Speaks
RAISE YOUR VOICE By PETER MOLENAAR Indigenous leaders at the State Capitol. Photo courtesy Camp Migizi social media. Manoomin is the “wild rice” which sustains the Anishinaabe. The word is especially familiar to the Ojibwa among us. Sadly, the manoomin has faded due to habitat loss, degraded water quality”¦ climate crisis. Like the canary in the mine shaft, manoomin speaks”¦ and speaks to us all. My place in the world”¦ Molten iron flows just north of Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, and just south of the Roof Depot on 28th Street. Smith Foundry is the place I labored for 35 years: repetitive motion, 500,000 molds of sand”¦ ankles worn down to bone on bone. Was once a “people”™s soldier”. Now with titanium and plastic surgically implanted, perhaps I will march again. July 14, 2021”¦ The old soldier sported a fancy ankle brace and wielded an [...]
In This Time of Need, Minnesotans Have Stepped Up; It’s Government’s Turn
https://minnesotareformer.com/2021/06/15/in-this-time-of-need-minnesotans-have-stepped-up-its-governments-turn-opinion/ By Allison Sharkey, Felicia Perry, and Chad Kulas This guest commentary first appeared in the Minnesota Reformer The civil unrest that unfolded in the wake of George Floyd”™s murder has had a deep and lasting impact on the Twin Cities. Buildings burned, family-run shops were robbed, and local health care clinics and nonprofits were broken into and damaged. The places where people lived, worked and relied on for essential services were destroyed and entire communities were left reeling. During the summer of 2020, KB Balla stands near what remains of Scores Sports Bar at 2713 E. Lake St. in Minneapolis. Photo by Hannah Black/Minnesota Reformer. In this moment of pain, Minnesotans did what they do best: They lent a hand and got to work. Volunteers swept the streets and sidewalks. People organized pop-up food shelves. Donations [...]
