Bergstrom receives historic Red Lake Tribal Council support

Minnesota District 7 Senate candidate Donna Bergstrom is the endorsed Republican candidate for the Duluth seat, having received the official endorsement on March 19, 2016. On April 12, 2016, the Red Lake Tribal Council passed a unanimous resolution in support of Bergstrom's campaign. The endorsement comes from a community that overwhelmingly votes Democratic at all levels of government.

While the Red Lake reservation lies well-outside the borders of District 7, the band maintains an Urban office in Duluth for approximately three hundred members that reside in the city. American Indians are the largest minority population in Duluth with about 2.5% identifying as such. In responding to the Red Lake Nation's endorsement, Bergstrom stated, "I'm proud to have the Council pass the resolution of support. This speaks volumes to the awareness our Tribal communities are taking in the disparities American Indian families experience on many fronts throughout our state. American Indian students graduate from school at a rate of about 49% which is second worst in the nation. Focusing attention on improving those numbers is one of my top priorities." Bergstrom traveled to the reservation on Tuesday where she was given time on the agenda for an opportunity to address the council in person. The council is composed of elected members and hereditary chiefs.

Bergstrom also pointed to the disproportionate number of American Indian children in the state's child welfare system. "It's as if the social services agencies are the new removal agencies," Bergstrom said. "And those numbers are even with federal and state laws intended to preserve families. So that is a call to action for me."

Bergstrom is a Lakeside resident, having retired to the Duluth area in 2010 from the US Marine Corps Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. She is an enrolled member of the Red Lake nation, a State guardian ad litem and an active community volunteer.

Bergstrom has scheduled a "meet-and-greet" in the lower level of the Duluth Radisson Hotel at the Bowery Bros., on April 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00.

For more information about the Donna Bergstrom for State Senate campaign email bergstrom4mn@gmail.com or go to donnabergstromformn.org.