January 18, 2024

Re: MUID Statement on the Recent Closure of Camp Nenookaasi and the Epidemic of Homelessness of Native Americans in the Twin Cities Metro

On Thursday January 4, we saw the closure of Camp Nenookaasi on the lands adjacent to the Indigenous People’s Task Force. Fortunately, the day saw a largely peaceful evacuation, with many residents relocating to a new location nearby (at 14th and 26th Street). To date, over 100 residents were placed by the city working with Hennepin County, Helix Health and Housing Services, and other community partners to provide housing, shelter, and services. MUID also donated funds to support care boxes for those transitioning into their new apartments. MUID organizations, like the Division of Indian Work, put together and delivered these care packages for camp residents. 

Service providers, like American Indian CDC, Agate Housing Services, and Avivo said they could provide additional support to up to 60 more individuals on the day of closure. This includes support for mental health and substance abuse disorders. We haven’t received any updates of how many individuals received housing placements or other services on January 4. MUID leaders in attendance shared that it 

appeared that the remaining camp residents preferred to relocate to a new encampment site over housing placement. On Friday, January 5th, we saw that the Mayor’s Office is now in coordination with Nenookaasi leaders, as well as the Red Lake Nation, to commit to a location for the residents. 

As the city works for a location and facility for Nenookaasi, MUID continues to underscore the need for continued collaboration and resources needed to address & reverse the systemic issues behind our people’s addiction and homelessness in the Twin Cities Metro.  Collaboration which demands the full participation of all governmental stakeholders. 

Collaboration which was called upon by camp organizers and MUID alike for months prior to the closure. Native people and organizations, as those most proximate, must be at the forefront of leading the pathways for solutions.

Among the causes of the current epidemic and declared public health emergency (by a unanimous vote by the City Council on December 7, 2023) are economic immiseration, generational traumas caused by governmental systems, and the separation of people from their culture & community. Finally, on December 14, after months of requests by our community, city leadership gathered together a multijurisdictional group of policymakers with service providers, MUID leaders, Nenookaasi organizers & residents, to identify shared values and lay groundwork for a meaningful path forward that included a dignified response and resources. Despite what was promised that day, we have not been brought together since. 

The pledge for significant and meaningful resources has not been met. We have seen no collaboration or new resources brought to the table. There have been no other meetings amongst stakeholders. Instead, we saw the derailment of an agreed upon process. While we do recognize additional housing placements with services were provided and made available, the new eviction date still utilizes many of the same temporary shelter options that result in only one-day secured stays and will result in the same conditions that created the Nenookaasi encampment. 

In addition, MUID leadership encourages that the city, county, state, service providers, and Nenookaasi leaders continue to engage with the Unsheltered & Opioid Committee as they are an active consortium of Native organization leaders, community leaders, service providers, and some governmental officials & staff.  They have deep relationships and expertise in issues around substance abuse disorders & homelessness. 

Our Native community deserves more, better, faster.  If this is a public health or safety emergency and of epidemic proportions in Minneapolis, we must see continued planning with everyone at the table. Nenookaasi is not a one-off issue. There are 40 or so encampments that are largely Native across Minneapolis alone. We are 2% of the population and upwards of 35% of the houseless population. We require dignified safe housing options, resources, and acquisition of a physical location to provide culturally responsive healing to our unsheltered relatives. 

Camp evictions without meaningful and comprehensive alternatives are ineffective at treating homelessness & underlying addiction issues among our Native people. They are also incredibly costly for the city – costing anywhere from $75,000-200,000 each time. Those funds could be put towards better use, such as, to prevent and treat the trauma-based addictions that require cultural & spiritual healing that some service providers are ready to provide with our communities in co-collaboration. While the city claims that no one service provider is ready to lead the entire effort, many are willing to be in partnership to deliver the services needed to answer this ongoing epidemic. This epidemic will not go away without collaborative and intensive efforts. 

We urge for continued commitments to finding long-term solutions. ecognition that the local & state governments along with the larger service providers need Native people at the center of the planning and development discussions for real solutions to be found. We will continue to press for regular and ongoing planning discussions with all stakeholders. A continuation of the last five years will not be allowed by the urban Native community. 

Sincerely, 

Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID)

CC: MUID membership list