Council celebrates Native American heritage

A booming drum ceremony filled the meeting room at Cloquet city hall Tuesday as the city council and mayor acknowledged National Native American Heritage Month. Council member Lyz Jaakola, who represents Ward 5, which overlaps part of the Fond du Lac reservation, said it's constructive to have a month to encourage reflection on indigenous people, although the community thinks about its culture and issues every day of the year. She said she's encouraged by "hopeful discussions" across the country signaling better relationships with native people.

Jaakola and fellow council member Sheila Lamb are both indigenous people, something Mayor Roger Maki said was remarkable in the historical makeup of the city body.

Lamb praised city leaders for speaking up and offering training on sex trafficking, and for displaying the tribal flag in the council chambers.

It's all part of shedding the "invisibility" native people have endured for centuries, said FDL chairman Kevin DuPuis. He said more issues are being put into public discourse across reservation lines, including the revelations about missing children from boarding schools.

"We celebrate every day," Dupuis said at the ceremony Tuesday. He said he believes that more recognition of the contributions of native people and more sensitivity in putting Indian voices at the decision-making table is "happening for a reason." He thanked the council for the opportunity to have the ceremony and invitation to speak.

Maki this month signed a city proclamation marking the national recognition and to "urge all our citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."