Minneapolis Minority Politics Issues

Lack of funding for the minority Native American population of Minneapolis

Native American Students in the O'Malley Program

O'Malley Program

           Many Native American statistics will show a higher percentage of chemical dependence, suicide, and poverty compared to other minority groups. These are longstanding issues that have been drawing more attention in recent decades with help to the American Indian Movement.  This movement was begun in Minneapolis which is currently home to one of the largest urban Native American populations, and hosts several social programs for urban Indian health and education. 

            As the federal budget experiences cut backs these social programs are on the list to be discontinued or under funded in the coming years.  In an article from “Indian Country Today,” author David Melmer addresses the need for funded urban Indian health care facilities when he writes, “More than 60% of all American Indians who live in urban areas use urban Indian health facilities, according to the president’s budget information.”  This $33 million dollar cut means has a large effect on Minneapolis because it is home to an Indian health clinic/community health center that provides, “culturally based health services,” which can include medicine men and shaman.

            Another area of cutback is the $16 million dollar Johnson O’Malley program.  This is significant to Minneapolis despite the fact that it is a nation program because Minneapolis has the largest number of Native American students than any other metropolitan area in the Midwest (Pagano 1).  Jean Pagano of, “The Ojibwe News,” writes, “93% of all Native students attend public schools...”  This program is specifically designed to combine language programs, elders, and transportation to Native American students. 

             Both of these are federally funded programs that are set to be cut for the following 2007 fiscal year.  If these cuts are made they are certainly going to be reflected in the Minneapolis area as issues of health care and education remain a struggle for this minority population       

Racial Profiling in Minneapolis

Maps comparing traffic stop demographics to residential driving age population by census
tract show that Black drivers were stopped at higher than expected rates in every Minneapolis
census tract but one, while Latinos were stopped more often than expected, and Whites less often
than expected, in most tracts.

Officers in Minneapolis subjected drivers of color of every race/ethnicity to discretionary searches at higher rates than White drivers. Discretionary search rates were more than twice as high for American Indian, Black and Latino drivers as they were for White drivers. Minneapolis police were more likely to find contraband in discretionary searches of White drivers than in discretionary searches of drivers of any other race/ethnicity. This indicates that the higher discretionary search rates of drivers of color are not justified by a greater likelihood that these drivers are in possession of contraband.

Somali Citizens in Minneapolis

            How many Somali refugees live in Minneapolis?  Numbers are not exact, but, as of the end of 2000, estimates of Somalis in Minnesota ranged from 10,000 to 50,000.  The actual number is thought to be closer to the high end, with the vast majority of the Somalis living in Hennepin County and Minneapolis.

            This mass influx of people not familiar with the American culture creates some problems.  One of the problems is the way of thinking of Somalis is far different from that of most American citizens.  Many Somalis fear the government and its agents.  Many Somalis are afraid to speak up for fear of government retribution.  This means that issues facing them are often never heard.  The opinions of all Somalis are subsequently seen as the opinions of the few who do actually speak up.  Also, many refugees are not used to a system in which healthcare is available.  Clinics have opened to give these people the care they need, but the Somalis who do know about them do not always use them.  A major issue facing the city of Minneapolis is incorporating these people into the fabric of the community in Minneapolis.

Resources

Fridell, L., Harris, D., & McDevitt, J. "The Minnesota Racial Profiling Report" September 22, 2003~Link                                                              

Halvorsen, D.  "Somalis in the Twin Cities:  Warming up to Health Care."  Minneapolis Star Tribune.  www.startribune.com/389/story/64336.html.

Melmer, David.  “Urban health program funding euthanized.”  Indian Country Today 22 Feb. 2006, Oneida, NY.  Vol. 25, Iss. 37, pg. A1.

 Pagano, Jean.  “Minnesota Educational Program Faces Elimination Under Bush’s 2007 Budget.”  The Ojibwe News 17 Feb. 2006. St. Paul, MN Vol. 18, Iss. 33; pg 1

Perry, K.  "Newspaper Needs to Improve Coverage of Minnesota Somalis."  Minneapolis Star Tribune.  www.startribune.com/161/story/195929.html.

Phelps, D. et al "Minnesota Somalis Send Millions Back to East Africa."  Minneapolis Star Tribune.  www.startribune.com/467/story/44499.html.