This article is a project completed during WCCO’s 2024 summer internship program. Jordan Tovin is studying photojournalism at George Washington University. He spent 10 weeks at WCCO in a photojournalism internship. Much of that time was spent embedded in the diverse Native American community in Minneapolis. Jordan spoke with and photographed dozens of people during the course of his internship. This article is the result of that work. Read Jordan’s complete article here.

Introduction

MINNEAPOLIS — In the 19th century, Native Americans created a food called frybread using the meager rations provided by the US government. By creating a more filling dish when food was scarce, they increased their chances of surviving their persecution. While each tribe developed its own unique recipe, over time, all frybread became synonymous with survival and resilience.

Over 100 miles from the nearest reservation, centuries of oppression have manifested in the Native communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul, leading to high levels of addiction and violence. As the birthplace of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968, many Indigenous people have been fighting these forces for centuries. The people, who are all too familiar with overdoses, high crime rates, and low graduation rates, have turned to tradition, spirituality, and community to not only survive, but to live.
It was the government that placed their ancestors in boarding schools, unapologetically stripping them of their Native identities. Now, decades later, they are still fighting to restore their cultural heritage and reclaim their past. This project was completed over the course of my 10 weeks, all of which were spent researching, photographing, and talking with people from Indigenous communities in the Twin Cities. 

Chapter I: The Cultural Corridor

Southeast Minneapolis, Minnesota

By the 20th century, 200 years of forced treaties and wars had driven Indigenous tribes off their land. After the US-Dakota War of 1862, Minnesota expelled the Dakota, the prominent Indigenous people of the region, from their land. Many were relocated to reservations, while policies like the Dawes Act of 1887 and the Curtis Act of 1898 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing communal lands and suppressing tribal governance. Indian boarding schools sought to erase Native cultures and identities throughout the country. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 attempted to reverse some damage by restoring tribal lands and promoting self-governance.

In 1956, the Indian Relocation Act was enacted by the federal government, aiming to assimilate American Indians by relocating them from reservations to major cities. This initiative brought predominantly Ojibwe and Dakota people to Minneapolis, significantly altering the city’s demographic and cultural landscape. These new residents began to establish their own communities, creating a unique urban environment that would grow and evolve over the following decades. 

To address these issues like poverty, discrimination, and cultural dislocation that stemmed from urban migration, Native Americans began forming communities and establishing organizations. In the summer of 1968, Russell Means, Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt founded the American Indian Movement (AIM) in a basement in south Minneapolis. In the years following its founding, AIM worked to make Franklin Avenue safer by closing bars, pornographic shops, and liquor stores along the street. Originally formed to address local issues, AIM rapidly gained national prominence for its advocacy and activism, becoming a crucial force in the fight for Native rights and justice.  

“There was a lot of police brutality taking place where the police would take our people, arrest them here all drunk, take them down to the river or wherever they wanted to and beat them up,” longtime East Phillips resident and Make Voting A Tradition Coordinator Joleene Jones said. 

Now one of the nation’s oldest urban Indian centers, the Minneapolis Regional Native American Center (now the Minneapolis American Indian Center) opened in 1975 on Franklin Avenue. In hosting many public events and regional basketball tournaments, it quickly become a cornerstone of the community. Its presence, along with other important landmarks, underscored the growing cultural and social infrastructure supporting the Native population in Minneapolis. 

Today, Franklin Avenue, now a bustling hub of cultural and social activity, is a central part of the Indian Cultural Corridor. The area stands as a testament to cultural perseverance and community strength. However, it also faces significant challenges, including rising homelessness and drug addiction, exacerbated by the ongoing fentanyl and heroin crisis. 

“The avenue, as they call it, was quite different many years ago and made this transition of being really, really rough to much better,” said resident and East Phillips Improvement Coalition board member Kelly Morgan. “And now we’re kind of going the other way today, with the issues that are complicating the avenue due to the unsheltered and the addiction and the way that the city keeps pushing them out of camps and onto Franklin Ave.” 

Many local organizations attempt to combat issues that trouble the community. Local groups, such as the Native American Community Clinic, the Native American Community Development Institute and the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, actively address these issues and support the community. Their efforts highlight the ongoing need for adaptation and support in the face of complex social challenges. 

In addition to the many clinics and help centers that opened on and near Franklin Avenue, the 1970s saw the opening of a new housing project that would become entwined with the identity of the cultural corridor: Little Earth. 

Chapter II: Little Earth

The only Native-preference Section 8 housing project in the U.S. 

Background

In 1971, $4.5 million from various local organizations, including the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped kickstart the construction of a new low-income, subsidized housing community. This project also received partial funding from the Federal Model Cities program in 1966. The groundbreaking ceremony in 1971 was a significant event, marked by Hoka Hey Singing and drumming. It took place on the site of the old South High School in East Phillips.

The housing community officially opened in 1973, but it soon faced several years of poor housing conditions. Amidst rising rates of police brutality, then-East Phillips resident Debbie Peterson approached AIM’s Dennis Banks in 1975 about transforming The South High Housing Project into a community for Native Americans. AIM supported the idea and held a contest to rename the community, combining the names of two winners, a child and an elder, to create the name Little Earth of United Tribes.

AIM struggled to secure additional funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address issues caused by poor workmanship. As HUD declined further investment, the property began to deteriorate. By 1982, nearly half of the units were empty, and Little Earth faced foreclosure.

In response, Little Earth United Tribes Inc. filed a lawsuit against HUD, initiating an 11-year legal battle. During this time, Little Earth was placed into receivership, with a court-appointed manager overseeing the property. The decline in property conditions was severe; most of the area was covered in dirt, with barely any grass left. Due to dissatisfaction with the lack of Native leadership, residents established the Little Earth Residents Association (LERA) in November 1983. Following a series of poor ownership experiences, Lori Ellis and other residents created the Indian Housing Authority. Minneapolis refused to recognize it.

Amid these struggles, the community’s resilience was evident. Despite the ongoing challenges, residents continued to advocate for better living conditions and greater autonomy. This perseverance bore fruit when, after Little Earth lost their lawsuit, newly appointed HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros approached Clyde Bellecourt to discuss helping transfer Little Earth to Native control. In 1994, Cisneros facilitated new rules allowing Little Earth to apply Indian preference for its residents. This preference was not exclusive but allowed the community to prioritize Native American residents, helping to preserve its cultural identity.

Today, 1,500 residents from 39 different tribes live at Little Earth, reflecting a rich cultural tapestry and a strong sense of community. Little Earth remains the only Indigenous-preference project-based Section 8 rental assistance community in the U.S., with half of its residents under 21 and many units reporting annual incomes below $10,000.

The story of Little Earth is one of resilience and determination. It reflects the ongoing struggle of the Native American community in urban areas to secure culturally relevant housing and community support. The history of Little Earth and its ongoing efforts highlight the importance of addressing systemic issues through community-led initiatives and continued advocacy. 

It serves as a model for how a community can come together to overcome adversity and create a supportive, culturally vibrant living environment.

The Little Earth Residents Association

Different from the finance office, the Little Earth Residents Association (LERA) handles the supportive services and community programming. Resident and food-shelf volunteer Elaine Stately started organizing LERA in 1983. Going door-to-door, Stately and others like Peggy Bellecourt brought the community together to stand against the expansion of the Hiawatha Corridor. The community demanded and won the huge concrete sound barrier along Little Earth’s eastern boundary when construction commenced in the late 1980s. 

In addition to housing, LERA offers credit counseling and education to help residents transition from renting to owning homes. The organization also provides support services to address generational trauma and assist with personal and educational challenges. In 1994, Little Earth purchased the Holy Rosary school building on 18th Avenue South, near East 24th Street and opened the Little Earth Neighborhood Early Learning Center.

LERA also runs religious programming for Little Earth residents. Rianna Downwind serves as LERA’s Cultural Coordinator. she leans on her background as Midewiwin to hold spiritual gatherings and ceremonies for the community. Some of her other duties include obtaining healing herbs for the community, organizing sweat ceremonies at the Little Earth Sweat Lodge and monitoring the cultural space between Ogama Place and the Hiawatha Wall.

 “[Little Earth] was designed to be a stepping stone,” Housing Advocacy Program Manager Cathee Vick said. “But many of the folks have found a home and want to stay. So not everyone wants to move on. But we’re really just helping our community members in Little Earth thrive in any way we can.”

The community continues to fight for housing improvements with the help of LERA, including successful efforts like the installation of a permanent stoplight on Cedar Avenue to protect residents.

The Youth Development Center

The Youth Development Center (YDC) at LERA has served the area for over 20 years. Its origins trace back to a simple computer room aimed at adult education, but it has since expanded into a multifaceted program addressing the broader needs of the community, particularly focusing on children and teenagers.

The YDC offers a variety of programs designed to support youth in multiple aspects of their lives. The After-School Program provides mentoring, tutoring, and life skills training. It aims to empower youth to succeed both academically and personally by offering structured support outside of school hours. Teens are offered opportunities to gain work experience and develop skills through the workforce development program, which runs throughout the summer. 

“To me, you don’t have to be a product of your environment,” LERA Youth Empowerment Director Latisha Icemen said. “Even though they think they’re having fun, we’re teaching them basic skills and that confidence to say ‘I can go out and be whatever I want to be and I don’t have to just settle.’” 

During the summer, the YDC operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a range of activities. This program ensures that children and teens have a safe and engaging environment during the long summer days. 

“Once there were these kids that went to a nearby garden and stole all the tomatoes,” LERA Counseling Program Coordinator Jonas Kazlauskas said. “Then they brought them to the side of the road and were just throwing them at cars. It’s because they were bored.”
YDC staff members work within schools to provide direct support to students, assist teachers, and bridge the gap between school and home life. This involvement includes home visits and communication with social workers to address specific needs. The center also helps families with essential items such as laundry soap, gift cards for clothing, and bus cards. 

The Little Earth Urban Farm

Over the summer, 52 kids participated in the garden program, working two hours a day. Through tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting, they learn about farming while earning money for back-to-school shopping. Each child makes $500, with $300 earmarked for school supplies, $100 for a family event, and $100 for personal use. 

While the younger children work in the garden, teens help maintain various plants and trees around the Little Earth property. Several female residents initially started the farm. The farm has a youth Workforce Development program, aiming to teach the kids responsibility, community engagement, and financial earning. It also has programming aimed at reducing A1C levels for people with diabetes, renewable energy innovation, and social justice impact.

The program partners with the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to breed Yellow Perch. Several interns and students upkeep the fish. Kieran Smith, the PhD student who has been in charge of taking care of the fish said their plans are to “use the Yellow Perch to help support and build the capacity of aquaculture-based food-fish production in Minnesota.”

Chapter III: The Obstacles

The omnipresent, lasting effects of the past

Serving as a microcosm of the broader Indigenous community, the Native Community in Little Earth grapples with a range of profound historical challenges, including poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, absenteeism among parents, mental and physical health issues, chronic school absenteeism and dropouts, domestic abuse, substance abuse, crime, and generational trauma.

Despite regulations prohibiting firearms on Little Earth property, gun violence persists, largely stemming from nonresidents, according to Little Earth leaders. From June to August 2024, LERA transportation vans were targeted in two separate shootings, with one bullet hitting a YDC classroom window. No one was killed in either incident. 

“Historical trauma is the cumulative, multigenerational, collective experience of emotional and psychological injury in communities and in descendants.” 

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

The community also faces severe challenges related to drug use. As a result of businesses fearing usage in their restrooms, only two public restrooms are available in East Phillips: at the Minneapolis American Indian Center and the East Phillips Park Recreation Center, known by some in the area as the “Cockroach” Center. 

Despite Minnesota’s participation in needle exchange programs designed to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases, residents say they must remain vigilant to avoid discarded needles.

On June 24, the city began renovations on the Cedar Avenue Bridge, a known hotspot for drug use. In East Phillips, needle disposal boxes are tied to telephone poles and bridges to discourage needle littering. At Little Earth, some homes have purple ribbons tied to the door handles, indicating that a Narcan-trained person lives there. Little Earth Management (LEM) is also on a 24/7 standby for wellness checks, in case there’s concern of overdose or danger.

People in the Little Earth community say there is a complex relationship with the Christian groups that come into their neighborhood. While community member say they know the intention is often to offer support and aid, they also feel a sense of imposition on their spiritual identity. As Naomi Bullchild articulates, “I don’t know how much they take into account that we already have our own teachers, our own religion. We’re all spiritualists.” 

Naomi further explains, “They’ve always tried to push that on us. And you kind of just push it off in a way like let them talk, let them say their thing.” She feels a persistent imposition that creates a barrier, making it difficult for some in the community to fully embrace the help offered by these groups, as it often feels like an attempt to convert rather than simply assist. 

“I feel like our biggest problem is the press,” Jolene Jones said. “The only time they come is when something negative happens. Time and time again, they only want to show up to air our dirty laundry, our bad things that happen, and I think that’s the biggest obstacle.” 

Throughout the summer, only two other members of the media walked onto property. One was a reporter doing a story on the use of biochar for the Star Tribune, who mistakenly thought the LE Urban Farm was using it, and the other was a Youtuber by the name of Tommy G., who spent half a day on the property making a video centered around how dangerous Little Earth is. 

“You know, and just like everybody else, we have our issues, but we’re really good people,” Joleene Jones said. “What people don’t see is how this community rallies together” 

Chapter IV: The Perseverance

The power of culture and community

“We’ve been through so much. It’s in our DNA and our everyday lives. This perseverance and resilience are about staying alive, no matter what we do to our bodies and minds.” – Kelly Morgan, East Phillips Improvement Coalition Board Member 

The Protectors 

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Little Earth saw the birth of a new community safety initiative known as the “Little Earth Protectors.” This grassroots group emerged during a period of widespread unrest. Members of the group say they formed out of necessity during the absence of police presence in the early days of the protests. The Protectors, composed of dozens of dedicated members, say they stepped up to ensure their predominantly Native American community remained safe amidst chaos. 

The initiative was spurred by citywide curfew alerts, which triggered a deep sense of urgency and fear among residents. The Protectors Say their efforts included setting curfews, disrupting drug trafficking, and mediating disputes, showcasing a proactive and community-centered approach to safety. This model of community-led intervention resonated with many residents who had long felt that traditional policing was inadequate for their specific needs. Supports say the Protectors’ ability to address local issues directly and effectively furthers the argument for exploring alternative models of public safety. 

Years later, the Protectors continue to gather under the Cedar Avenue Bridge on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. On the last Sunday of every month, they also provide meals for the neighborhood. Joleene and Marci, two elders, monitor the radios. Marci records the radio updates in a journal, marking which “clusters” of homes are clear, while Joleene helps communicate with those out on patrol, overseeing Cedar Avenue and the parking lot in front of the Little Earth Offices. Recently, Many Shields, an organization that helps Indigenous men protect their community, has begun to assist the Protectors, forming the Indigenous Protectors Movement. 

However, the Protectors’ journey is not without hurdles. Incidents of violence, including the shooting of a member, underscore the dangers associated with community-led safety initiatives. Nevertheless, the Little Earth Protectors’ experience illustrates a significant shift towards localized, community-driven approaches to safety. Their story highlights the potential benefits of blending community engagement with formal law enforcement, aiming for a more nuanced and responsive model of public safety that addresses the unique needs of neighborhoods in transition.

Sobriety Warriors

When Nicole Mason was working at LERA in March 2022, she started a sobriety group. During a Sweat Lodge ceremony, Ojibwe language holder Joseph Sutherland gave the group the name “Sobriety Warriors,” symbolizing their commitment to sobriety and recovery. Initially, the group held local meetings and quickly expanded their activities. Early initiatives included attending events like the NA Pig Roast at Apple River, which provided a sense of community and healing. These experiences highlighted the need for similar opportunities within their community. 

“Our goal is to get as many people that want to go to ceremony or powwows to be able to go, without having to struggle financially in their recovery,” Mason said. “We’re trying to make sure that our people don’t have to struggle, especially when they already struggled with their addiction.” 

Operating as a grassroots organization, Sobriety Warriors rely on community fundraising and direct support, eschewing grant money. The group’s approach emphasizes community generosity to meet needs such as gas, food, and travel expenses. With over 50 active members, Sobriety Warriors provide a robust support network, ensuring that no one faces recovery alone. Personal experiences with addiction and recovery continue to shape the group’s approach. 

“We’re out here to get every single Native person in addiction into recovery as well,” Mason said. “We have this solid group, so as our Native people come into recovery, they know where to come.” 

Looking ahead, the Sobriety Warriors aim to continue fostering community, healing, and cultural pride among members, turning personal struggles into positive community contributions. Their journey exemplifies the power of community, tradition, and resilience in the path to recovery, offering hope and support to those seeking a better future. 

Success Stories

Rodger Roan Eagle used to bounce between Denver, Seattle, and Minneapolis as a drug dealer. After seeing his three siblings pass away from alcoholism and drug addictions, he realized he wanted to change. “When my sister died, I saw something that I didn’t want to get back into,” Roan Eagle said.

“At the time, I was a bad person,” Roan Eagle continued. “I was [on] drugs and alcohol. I was a gangster, a drug dealer. I was doing all that bad stuff, and I wanted to change my ways.” 

Upon moving back to Minneapolis, he began working at the Minneapolis American Indian Center and making dreamcatchers as an outlet. While working there as security, he met his now fiancée, Melanie. When not working, both take time daily to work on their art. While Rodger completes dreamcatchers in the living room, Melanie sews skirts and jackets in the next room over. 

This spirit of creativity and dedication is echoed throughout the Little Earth community, where many residents find unique ways to contribute and support each other.

Another resident, Derek Beauchamp, channels his energy into a different kind of craft. While the Little Earth Sewing Group is a haven for many crafting and mending textiles, Beauchamp works on his own unique projects. Among the room full of sewing machines, Derek spends his time modifying toy car batteries and parts. One week, he was working on the battery circuitry for a miniature toy Corvette for his grandson. “I didn’t have a father growing up, so I want to be there for him,” he shared. 

Beauchamp’s grandson has a collection of toy cars, including a Corvette, a Bronco, and a Lamborghini. Beauchamp dedicates his time to modifying them, ensuring they are as exciting as possible for his grandson. Whether it is preparing a higher voltage battery to make the toy Corvette go faster or adding a new Bluetooth stereo system, his dedication to these projects highlight his desire to provide his grandson with the joy and support he lacked in his own childhood. Beauchamp says the lack of support in his youth set him down on path of addiction and violence – landing him in jail on several occasions. 

“I want to make sure he has a father there for him because I never did,” Beauchamp said.

One day, while working on another part for another car, he exclaimed, “Yes! Another sale. More money for a new car.” He had sold a beading piece that he had spent the previous week making to get money for a new toy car. Over the course of the summer, he bought several new cars for his grandson, making modifications to them all. 

Just as Beauchamp channels his creativity to build a better future for his grandson, another resident, James Demo, has faced his own struggles and is now focused on creating a positive life for his family. James grew up in Little Earth, where he was exposed to illicit substances from a young age. After his father’s death, he moved in with his grandmother, who struggled with mental health issues and addiction. 

“My grandma was really abusive,” James recalled. “She struggled with mental health problems, and her behavior pushed me towards drugs. She introduced us to smoking weed and drinking.” 

When James turned 18, he dropped out of high school and received a large sum of money from a civil suit. “It went really bad,” he admitted. “I got heavily into pills, and when the money ran out, I turned to heroin.”

Demo says his early exposure to drugs was largely shaped by his grandmother. She struggled with mental health issues and was bad with pills. That’s where my drug use started,” he said. From that point, drugs consumed his life. 

His lifestyle soon became a cycle of acquiring drugs and engaging in criminal activities to support his habit. He found himself stealing cars, shoplifting, and even participating in robberies. Despite moral dilemmas and dangerous situations, addiction overshadowed any feelings of guilt or remorse. 

Throughout these years, James’s family played a significant role. His grandmother, a former addict herself, and his mother made repeated efforts to steer him towards sobriety. Despite multiple rehab stints and incarcerations, James struggled to break free from addiction. His family’s attempts often seemed in vain, as the compulsion to use overshadowed any desire to stay clean. 

The birth of his twins marked a turning point. Living in a tent, his partner went into premature labor while James was out procuring drugs. The twins were born addicted, a painful reality that hit James hard. Seeing his bruised and fragile newborns in the hospital was a profound moment of reckoning for him. 

Throughout these trials, James credits his family for remaining a steadfast support system. His aunt, actively involved in the community, and his mother provided a network of care and intervention. Their efforts, combined with James’s growing realization of the need to change for his children’s sake, gradually influenced his journey towards recovery. As of 2024, James is over three years sober, and he serves his community by working at Powwow Grounds Coffee Shop on Franklin Avenue. 

Native Education

Dakhóta iápi Okhódakičhiye (DIO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Dakota community members, language learners, and speakers. Founded in 2014, DIO addresses the need for accessible Dakota language learning materials, promoting language revitalization through resources for home, community, and classroom use.

DIO members have extensive experience in Dakota language education and collaborate on various projects. They host weekend language immersion camps, along with many other educational, community, and family events. LERA Teen Recovery Coach Eileen Bass brought part of her Little Earth Wellbriety team to one of these weekends. 

Wellbriety is an Indigenous movement with the mission of “disseminating culturally based principles, values, and teachings to support healthy community development and servant leadership, and to support healing from alcohol, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and intergenerational trauma.”

During the camp, the teens learned about native plants, traditional foods, and bison upkeep while expanding their Dakota vocabulary. The camp, led by Šišóka Dúta and his team, incorporated conversational exercises throughout the weekend, as well as physical activities like hikes and a Bison Safari. 

“A lot of times, language instruction happens in the classroom, and people are reluctant to use it outside the classroom,” said Šišóka Dúta. “We’re trying to have events outside the classroom to show that language learning isn’t just something you do at school.”

 Meanwhile, teens attend other schools and programs during the school year that incorporate Native culture and tradition into the curriculum. Nawayee Center School is an alternative urban high school in Minneapolis serving American Indian youth in grades 7 through 12. The school provides a transformative education grounded in Indigenous lifeways, to help students stay connected to their cultural roots while receiving a robust academic education. 

With small classes and a culturally focused curriculum, Nawayee offers a supportive environment for students who have faced challenges in traditional public schools, aligning with its mission to foster a love of learning and promote excellence in Indigenous education.

The school’s curriculum blends accredited junior and senior high school classes with Indigenous knowledge and practices. Its Medicine Wheel health program addresses mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health, embodying a holistic approach to education. Students engage in various culturally relevant activities, such as beadwork, drum group, and Indigenous language classes, to instill pride and identity. Leadership development and enrichment opportunities, including field trips, outdoor learning, and paid internships, are integral to the student experience. 

Located in the heart of the Native American community, the school’s facilities include classrooms, administrative offices, a common room, and a garden for outdoor education. The environment reflects Native American culture, with murals created by students and spaces for cultural activities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Nawayee Center School relies on community donations and volunteers to support its mission. Over its 40-year history, the school has exemplified excellence in Indigenous education, providing a nurturing environment for students to thrive academically and culturally. 

Chapter V: The next step together

The people’s unwritten and unwavering need to heal

Acknowledgements

To all of those who helped me learn, who welcomed me… 

To Abron Walking Eagle, Adrian, Al, Daniel and Nathan Albert, Alexandra Shohn, Almendariz Moreno Raymundo, American Indian Movement, Angela Two Stars, Ann Roy, Bell Frank, Ben Cahill, Bill Fullerton, Bob, Bob Rice, Carmen, Chad Hebert, Cheryl Goodman, Chucky, Coach Muckwa, Corrina Kingberd-Lussier, Cyndy Mountain, Daniella, Daniel Vittera, Donnie, Eddy, Eileen Bass, Ellen, Evan Sanchez, Ezeriah, Forrest Hunt, Frank Pero, Fred, Garth, Gary Spears, Gerry Auginash, Gracee, Isa, Izzy, Jace, Jason, JD, Jeffery Vandenbosch, Jess Grams, Joe Beaulieu, Joe Bigbear, Joe Vital, Joleene Jones, Jon Robertson & Rushman Colin, Joseph Regguinti, Julie, Keiko Lussier, Kieran Smith, Kirk, Kobe Gourneau, Latisha Icemen, Layla, Leroy Shabaiash, Linus, Littlecrow Bellecourt, Little Earth Residents Association, Lorenzo Niiwin, Luis, Mabel, Madison Bell, Malin Anderson, Marcee, Margaret, Mario, Mary LaGarde, Nicole Mason, Mattias, Melanie Hawkins, Michelle White, Mike, Mike Forcia, Minneapolis American Indian Center, Miziway Desjarlait, Nikki, Powwow Grounds Coffee, Priscilla, Rachael King, Ralph, Red Lake College, Rianna Acevedo Downwind, Rodger Roan Eagle, Samantha, Smurf, Sophia, Steve, Summer May, Sydney Ockenga, T, Tamalti Taken Care Of, Thali, The Little Earth Protectors, The Sobriety Warriors, Thomas, Trace, Vernon DeFoe, Wagoosh, William Lyons & Xitlali, 

Chi Miigwech & Wopida 

MINNEAPOLIS — A man who is accused of killing five young women in a south Minneapolis car crash in June of last year has been offered a plea deal, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Derrick Thompson, 28, was offered a plea agreement where he would plead guilty to five counts of criminal vehicular homicide while causing the accident and fleeing the scene. In return, the five other charges of criminal vehicular homicide while operating a motor vehicle in a gross or negligent manner would be dismissed.

The attorney’s office says the dropped charges are alternative charges of the same conduct, so if the case were to go to trial, Thompson would still only face sentencing on a maximum of five counts.

If Thompson accepts the plea deal, he would serve between 32 and 38 years in prison.

The offer remains open until Thompson’s next court date, which is scheduled for Nov. 4.

In December 2023, Thompson pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges stemming from the crash.

Details of the crash

Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sahra Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Adam, 19, were in a vehicle going through the intersection of Lake Street and Second Avenue on June 16, 2023, when a speeding driver, later identified as Thompson, slammed into them. All five were killed.

According to a criminal complaint, shortly before the crash, a state trooper on Interstate 35W near 46th Street saw a driver in a black Cadillac Escalade speeding and “weaving in and out of traffic lanes in a reckless manner.” The trooper clocked the vehicle’s speed at 95 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Before the trooper could activate their emergency lights or sirens, the driver “abruptly cut across all four lanes of traffic,” exiting I-35W at the Lake Street exit, still allegedly speeding down the ramp.

The driver of the Escalade sped through a red light and slammed into a Honda Civic traveling through a green light, the complaint states. The cars “collided violently” causing “catastrophic damage” to both of them, per the complaint.

Officers at the scene found a Hertz rental car receipt listing Derrick Thompson as the renter outside of the Escalade. The receipt showed the vehicle was rented at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport just 24 minutes before the fatal crash.

Thompson ran away from the scene of the crash but was arrested nearby. He was hospitalized after the crash but has been discharged and taken into custody, per the complaint.

While searching Thompson’s rental car, police found a loaded semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, more than 2,000 fentanyl pills, 13 MDMA pills and about 35 grams of cocaine, according to the complaint. Thompson also faces federal charges of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Investigators said Thompson’s “driving record includes numerous charges and convictions for driving after suspension and driving after revocation,” and that his Minnesota driver’s license was revoked in 2018 and reinstated in 2023.

In September 2018, Thompson crashed his car in California, striking a woman from North Carolina who was on vacation, putting her in a coma for 20 days. She survived and partially recovered.

Inside the car, police found $20,000 in cash and more than 17 pounds of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to multiple felonies and received an eight-year prison sentence, but was released a few months before the fatal Minneapolis crash.

Thompson is the son of former state Rep. John Thompson, DFL-St. Paul.

MINNEAPOLIS — Two Minnesota women are charged with organizing thefts of several thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise from a Lululemon store in Minneapolis and then funneling the stolen goods through a suburban nail salon.

My Hoang Thi Van, 56, and Kathy Nguyen, 24, are each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft. Minneapolis police tracked down the roommates from suburban Crystal after getting tipped by corporate investigators for the high-end athletic retailer, the Star Tribune reported.

The criminal complaints filed Thursday say Lululemon investigators found high shoplifting losses at their store in downtown Minneapolis, then identified a suspect through surveillance videos and interviews with store employees. That suspect, who has not been charged, would steal bags off a merchandise rack, fill them with goods and leave without paying.

Investigators placed GPS tracking tags in several bags, and when the individual stole them, tracked her movements. The woman would take the stolen merchandise to Diamond Nails Salon in Crystal, then leave the salon without the bags but holding a “large sum of money in her hand,” the complaint alleged.

When police arrested the shoplifter, she told them she had been directed to steal the clothes by a woman who worked at the salon, who she identified as Van. She said Van would pay her $400 for the clothes and remove the theft sensors, then place the stolen merchandise in a plastic bag and resell it. She estimated she had made at least 100 transactions with Van.

Police later found “numerous white plastic bags of stolen Lululemon merchandise” throughout the defendants’ home, along with anti-theft tags that had been removed, the complaint alleged.

The total value of merchandise stolen from the store was still being tallied, but the complaint said it was “well in excess of $5,000.”

Nguyen’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Friday. Court records did not list an attorney for Van, and she did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.