In an acknowledgement of Tribal sovereignty, the Second Judicial District held a ceremony to welcome Tribal flags on Monday, Sept. 29.
Honor guard veterans representing the respective tribes presented the United States flag, the State of Minnesota flag, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe flag, and flags from the 11 Native Tribes that share geography with Minnesota. The Red Tree Singers Drum Group accompanied the flag procession with drum and song.
Second Judicial District Chief Judge Sara Grewing welcomed participants, and Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Anne McKeig facilitated the ceremony. Former Lower Sioux Indian Community President Robert Larsen and John Day of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe led everyone in prayer.
“Ramsey County courts serve American Indian families every day, so we are honored to have their Tribal flags flown at the courthouse,” said Ramsey County Presiding Judge Nicole Starr. “Flying these flags is a public expression of our partnership with Tribal Nations.”
The Court works closely with Tribal Nations on the Tribal Court State Court Forum, the Minnesota Tribal-State Agreement, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. ICWA is a federal law enacted in 1978 to rectify the removal and out-of-home placement of Native American children from their homes; Minnesota’s counterpart to ICWA is the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. ICWA and MIFPA recognize and protect the right of Native children to remain connected to their culture and Tribal Nations.
Honor guard veterans representing the respective tribes presented the United States flag, the State of Minnesota flag, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe flag, and flags from the 11 Native Tribes that share geography with Minnesota.