Lions Gift of Sight acknowledges that the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and University Enterprise Laboratories (our physical home) are built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Resources on Land Acknowledgements:

• Why Treaties Matter — a comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of treaties and land theft in Minnesota.
• University of Minnesota Native American Promise Tuition program
• Where We Stand: The University of Minnesota and Dakhóta Treaty Lands — a discussion on land acknowledgments by Čhaŋtémaza (Neil McKay) and Monica Siems McKay, published in Open Rivers
• The On Being Project Land Acknowledgment Resources —  resources dedicated to Native American culture and history in Minnesota, as well as on the practice of land acknowledgment   
• Local Dakota Land Map — downloadable visual and audio Dakota land maps of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas by local artist Marlena Myles
• Tribal Nations in Minnesota - a comprehensive list of the seven Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and four Dakota (Sioux) communities with web links to those communities where available.
  • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa is located in northern Minnesota, approximately sixty miles south and west of International Falls, MN.
  • Fond Du Lac Reservation. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation lies in Northeastern Minnesota adjacent to the city of Cloquet, MN, approximately 20 miles west of Duluth, MN. 
  • Gichi-Onigaming / Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The Grand Portage Reservation is located in Cook County in the extreme northeast corner of Minnesota, approximately 150 miles from Duluth. It is bordered on the north by Canada, on the south and east by Lake Superior and on the west by Grand Portage State Forest.
  • Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The Leech Lake Reservation, located in the forests of north-central Minnesota.
  • Lower Sioux Indian Community. The Lower Sioux Indian Community is located on the south side of the Minnesota River in Redwood County, two miles south of Morton and six miles east of Redwood Falls.
  • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. History, tribal government, and educational material.
  • Prairie Island Indian Community. Prairie Island Indian Community is located in southeastern Minnesota, north of Red Wing, between Highway 61 and the Mississippi River.
  • Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Historical information, tribal planning, employment and training, Pow-wow pages, gaming, telephone directory and more.
  • Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community. The Shakopee-Mdewakanton Reservation is located entirely within the city limits of Prior Lake, in Scott County, Minnesota.
  • Upper Sioux Community. The Upper Sioux Community is located in Yellow Medicine County.
  • White Earth Reservation. The White Earth Reservation is located in the northwestern Minnesota counties of Mahnomen, Becker, and Clearwater.

Thank you to the University of Minnesota Medical School's Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for this list of resources.