January 7, 2025

MUID Community Statement

The officers of Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the woman who was killed today in South Minneapolis during a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. A mother, sister, relative, and community member is gone, and a family is grieving.

Multiple news reports and official statements confirm that a woman died after being shot during an encounter connected to an ICE operation in South Minneapolis; details remain under investigation, and it is a developing situation. 

MUID leaders are hearing concerns that people—especially Native relatives and Black and Brown community members—are being stopped or questioned. We ask everyone to remain calm, prioritize safety for ourselves, families, and neighbors, and avoid escalating any encounter. If you feel unsafe, leave the area if you can and seek support from trusted contacts. 

We encourage people to stay home, if possible, to keep themselves and their families safe. If you choose to express your righteous anger and strong feelings by protesting, please do so in a peaceful manner.  Safety and respect remain our priorities.  

MUID will be communicating more in the near future on this unprecedented deployment of federal agents here in our community. 

Thank you, 

The Officers of the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors 

Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibwe) - Chair

Louise Matson (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) - Vice Chair

Ruth Buffalo (Three Affiliated Tribes | MHA Nation) - Treasurer

Nikki Pieratos (Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe) - Social Media Manager