Melissa Olson

Minneapolis

Reporter of Native News at MPR News (Saint Paul, MN)

MPR Native News Reporter. Writer. Mixed-heritage Anishinaabekwe. Leech Lake & New Ulm. Minneapolitan. Brooklynite. Gopher & Violet. All opinions are my own.

Articles

Tribal cannabis dispensaries to open across Minnesota with White Earth Nation tribal-state compact

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

The state of Minnesota and White Earth have finalized a cannabis compact agreement. The almost 90-page document lays out the terms and conditions under which the tribe may regulate and operate cannabis businesses outside tribal lands. The news came in a short announcement from Gov.Tim Walz’s office on Tuesday.
A 'giving spirit': Lakota elder honored at American Indian Day on the Hill

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

Hundreds gathered Monday at the Capitol in Saint Paul for American Indian Day on the Hill – a day that brings tribal leaders and legislators together to build relationships. During the event, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council honored Lakota elder Jerry Dearly for his long career in education and his dedication to community. Members of the Native community placed a satin quilt with an emerald morning star design around Dearly’s shoulders.
U of M plans to return funerary items and ancestral remains this fall

3 weeks ago | inforum.com | Melissa Olson

MINNEAPOLIS — During an annual update to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, Karen Diver, senior adviser to the president on Native American affairs, said the repatriation of the Mimbres collection could begin in October. “We anticipate working with the Hopi as the lead tribe to repatriate their ancestors and funerary objects in the fall,” she said.
U of M plans to return funerary items and ancestral remains this fall

4 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

During an annual update to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, senior advisor to the president on Native American affairs Karen Diver said the repatriation of the Mimbres collection could begin in October. “We anticipate working with the Hopi as the lead tribe to repatriate their ancestors and funerary objects in the fall,” said Diver.
Tribal photo IDs still valid for domestic air travel

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

Tribal members may continue to present identification issued by tribal nations to fly domestically. Tribal IDs can be used for travel in place of a Real ID as long as it’s a photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation, according to the Transportation Security Administration website. Travelers can also present Enhanced Tribal ID cards to TSA at travel checkpoints. First Nations travelers may present TSA officials with their Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card at checkpoints.
Native-focused health care and affordable housing development breaks ground

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

Create an account or log in to save stories. Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories. The Native American Community Clinic held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday at the Minneapolis American Indian Center for a future 30,000-square-foot health care and housing development. The clinic’s executive officer and president Antony Stately says the project will serve as a model for transforming health care for Native American people.
Citations issued to Red Lake Nation citizen driving through Georgia have been withdrawn

1 month ago | wadenapj.com | Melissa Olson

NORTH BRANCH, Minn. — A Georgia sheriff is withdrawing citations issued to a Minnesota driver after a deputy told him his tribally issued license plates were invalid on Georgia roads. In a letter to Red Lake Nation attorney Joe Plumer, Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock stated that he is withdrawing two tickets issued to Johnathon Carlson during a traffic stop south of Atlanta last month.
Red Lake Nation citizen cited for ‘fake’ license plates in Georgia

1 month ago | grandforksherald.com | Melissa Olson |Melissa Olson

NORTH BRANCH, Minn. — Johnathon Carlson was driving home from a weeklong family vacation in Florida with three of his children when he was pulled over by a county sheriff south of Atlanta. Carlson said he was told by a Crisp County sheriff that his tribally issued licensed plates weren’t allowed on Georgia roads. “We were just going back and forth about it,” Carlson said. “He kept telling me they’re fake.” Carlson, a Red Lake tribal citizen, said he’s never had an issue with his plates before.
Citations issued to Red Lake Nation citizen driving through Georgia have been withdrawn

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

A Georgia sheriff is withdrawing citations issued to a Minnesota driver after a deputy told him his tribally issued license plates were invalid on Georgia roads. In a letter to Red Lake Nation attorney Joe Plumer, Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock stated he is withdrawing two tickets issued to Johnathon Carlson during a traffic stop south of Atlanta last month.
Red Lake Nation citizen cited for ‘fake’ license plates in Georgia

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Melissa Olson

Johnathon Carlson was driving home from a week-long family vacation in Florida with three of his children when he was pulled over on State Highway 95 by a county sheriff south of Atlanta. Carlson said he was told by a Crisp County Sheriff that his tribally issued licensed plates weren’t allowed on Georgia roads. “We were just going back and forth about it,” said Carlson. “He kept telling me they're fake.” Carlson, a Red Lake tribal citizen, said he’s never had an issue with his plates before.