‘Cover Stories’ Archives
Updates on Clyde Bellecourt Urban Indigenous Legacy Funding
By CIRIEN SAADEH, The UpTake The information included in this article was accurate at the time that this issue went to print. Things at the Minnesota State Legislature are moving quite quickly, as they usually do around this time, and they may have changed by the time the alley hits the streets. A drum group opened the rally at the Minnesota State Capitol on March 21 to advocate for passage of the Clyde Bellecourt Urban Indigenous Legacy Initiative. Photo Credit: Derrick Vorpahl, AIOIC An Urban Indigenous Legacy funding bill has been “laid over” to be possibly included in a senate capital investment omnibus bill. The bill, formally known in the Senate as Senate File 2009 was introduced on March 30 by co-author Senator Scott Dibble (DFL - District 61) at a meeting of the Senate Capital Investment Committee responsible for putting together that specific omnibus bill. According to Senator Dibble’s introductory comments, the Urban Indigenous Legacy Funding Initiative [...]
What’s Happening with MayDay?
By the Board of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre Reprinted with permission by HOBT, edited for length. Find the full announcement at https://hobt.org/home/mayday-released/. The Medicine Woman Mojiganga puppet, crafted and designed by Gustavo Boada with youth from Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue, looms over the MayDay Festival crowd in 2022, surrounded by Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue dancers. Photo Credit: Spencer Joles. In February 2023, the Board of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) decided to release MayDay Celebrations to the community. Following our announcement on March 15, 2023, future MayDay events or actions will be independently produced by community groups, and not part of official HOBT programming. A BOARD DECISIONAfter years of evaluations and consultation with artists, staff, MayDay Council (MDC), and community members, the HOBT Board of Directors voted unanimously to release MayDay, as part of our responsibility to the long-term [...]
Roof Depot Site Lack of Transparency and Call to Attend May 9 Online Hearing
By H. LYNN ADELSMAN It is easy to get lost in the details of the city’s long history of working against a healthy future for East Phillips. This is a history of the city disregarding racism as a public health threat, and ignoring its own prioritization of East Phillips as a green zone. And this comes at a cost that is often unseen but is funded by taxpayers through revenues from the University of Minnesota, the airport, and some Minneapolis suburbs who buy their water from Minneapolis. Which leads to many questions unanswered, including: What is the detailed plan for the Hiawatha Expansion site? How many cars and trucks will be allowed to travel daily in and out of East Phillips? When will the city present its plan to the community? Until now it has only been presented to the park board.What is the total cost for the project and how will it be funded? $75–100,000,000, or more?How many lobbyists and lawyers are working on the city’s plan, and who or what fund is paying [...]
