Photo Gallery
Leaders
Tribal Leader Panel: Chairman Kevin Jensvold, Upper Sioux Community; Chairwoman Cathy Chavers, Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe; President Robert Larsen, Lower Sioux Indian Community.
Opening ceremony
Mahto Inazin drum group starts the training in a good way during the opening ceremony.
Welcoming
Former Chairman Charlie Vig, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, greets state employees and shares success stories of collaboration between the SMSC and the state of Minnesota.
Relationships
Chairwoman Cathy Chavers, Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe and Levi Brown, MnDOT Tribal Affairs Director share a smile. The importance of Gov't-to-Gov't relationship building is the core of TSRT.
Stories
Grace Smith tells participants her personal story of attending an Indian Boarding School and how it affected her and her family.
Teaching
Professor Johnson, Esq., UMD professor of American Indian Studies, lectures on federal Indian policy and the legal background between the tribes and states.
Openness
Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Chairman Kevin Jensvold, Upper Sioux Community, candidly answer participant questions.
Sharing
Ed Fairbanks, former MnDOT Tribal Liaison, shares differing Federal, State, and Tribal maps of Minnesota's Indian Country.
Honor
White Earth Nation Honor Guard presents the colors of the 11 tribal nations in Minnesota, the State flag, and the United States flag during the opening ceremony.
Endorsement
Governor Tim Walz welcomes the MN State Commissioners and staff to TSRT and shares why he signed Executive Order 19-24.
Support
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan speaks after the 7 Generations Exercise, urging TSRT participants to recognize their work as state employees to overcome past injustices.
Youth
Leech Lake jingle dress dancers Nishiime’ and Nindaanis Blomgren and hand drummer Tyler Joes share their Ojibwe culture and customs with participants at a TSRT session at Bois Forte.
Friendships
Grace Smith, speaker, and Ed Fairbanks, former MnDOT Tribal Liaison, show the caring relationships that are highly valued in Indian Country.
Partnerships
Former Chairwoman Erma Vizenor, White Earth Nation and Sue Mulvihill, former MnDOT Deputy Commissioner catching up at TSRT.
Education
State Tribal Liaisons answer participant questions. (L to R) Rick Smith, MHFA; Vern LaPlante, DHS; Jackie Dionne, MDH.
Tradition
Glen Crooks carries the eagle staff dressed in regalia, leading the Honor Guard in the retirement of the colors during the closing ceremony.
Knowledge
A closer look at Tribal Lands session; information shared by Sonny Meyers, Executive Director 1854 Treaty Authority; April McCormick, Grand Portage Roads Program Director; John Morrin, Member Grand Portage Tribal Council.
Goals
TSRT promotes authentic and respectful relationships between state agencies and American Indian tribes.
Commitment
Chairman Kevin Dupuis, Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe shares his thoughts about effective communication, collaboration, and consultation between the tribes and state of Minnesota.
Bonds
Roger M. Smith, District III Representative Fond Du Lac; Chairwoman Cathy Chavers, Bois Forte; Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan; Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe; President Shelley Buck, Prairie Island Indian Community.
Collaboration
Tribal Leader Panel: President Robert Larsen, Lower Sioux Indian Community; Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Red Lake Nation; Chairman Faron Jackson, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
Learning
State agency employees actively participant in their education at TSRT through question and answer sessions, building relationships with tribal counterparts and other state employees.
Treaties
The Why Treaties Matter traveling exhibit explores how the Dakota and Ojibwe treaties with the U.S. government affected the tribes in Minnesota and why those agreements still matter today.
Closing Ceremony
Big Red Drum plays the Traveling Song to end the TSRT session in a good way - well wishes for the journey home.