Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Groundbreaking for Mino-Bimaadiziwin Housing Project

109 Affordable Housing Units in Multi-use Building

A beautiful day matched the mood of a large turnout of urban Red Lakers and others gathered for a special event on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Those assembled would witness the groundbreaking ceremony for Mino-Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life) Housing Project and the Annual Red Lake Nation Embassy Picnic from 1 to 4 pm.

The site is located at 2105 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, in a growing Native American Cultural Corridor adjacent to the Franklin Avenue Metro Blue line LRT station with ample green space.

Mino-Bimaadiziwin will be a multi-use complex. A six-story building is planned for the site with 109 affordable residential units, a community center, a wellness center, and will also house the relocated Red Lake Minneapolis Embassy.

"Red Lake is committed to creating a space that embodies our values and traditions in developing Mino-Bimaadiziwin, a 109 unit that will include mixed use development in South Minneapolis with the perfect blend of location, luxury and community in the heart of Minneapolis.

"It's more than just housing...Mino-Bimaadiziwin translates roughly to "a good life." Its interpretation means we are born with gifts that enable us to appreciate, learn, develop and prosper in harmony with nature and those around us.

"Red Lake is committed to providing a safe community space free of alcohol and drugs. Please respect that this is a drug and alcohol-free event." - Flyer Announcing the Groundbreaking.

A blessing of the site and a song by three women with hand drums preceded speeches in praise of the development.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave a short speech along with several Council members before being invited to join Chairman Seki, Secretary Strong, members of the Tribal Council and Hereditary Chiefs for the golden shovel groundbreaking. The complex is expected to be completed next year.

It is Red Lake's first development off the Reservation, the first such development in Minnesota and perhaps the country. Tribal governments rarely build housing in cities, even though two-thirds of American Indians live not on reservations, but in urban areas. Minneapolis is home to the largest number of Red Lake band members living off the reservation.

After the ceremony, the event closed with a great feast with smiles all around. Food was provided by Indigenous Catering by Christina Valtierra of Native Food Perspectives. The meal included bison burgers, bison brats, wild rice pilaf, blueberry cake and soft drinks. Festivities included games, bouncy house, balloon making and face painting.

 

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