Linda Brown had the years from 1996 -2004 on another sheet of paper.
Things the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community, accomplish, or participated in. I will help
Linda fill in these years.
1996- 2004
2004
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4th Wacipi
2005
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5th Wacipi
Elections
2006
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6th Wacipi
2007
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7th Wacipi
Lisa Elbert left language class to teach elsewhere.
Diane Elliott will teach class.
In March Faith Bad Moccasin came to teach class she talked about her mother living in Mendota.
Bear did sugar bush again.
Chis Leigh came to language class a couple of times.
Earth Day April 22, we went to the 4 sacred trees for ceremony.
Wedding at the trees.
We did a ceremony with a medicine man from Brazil his name is Sthan Xannis.
Barbara Marshak came to culture class to talk about her book Hidden Heritage a bio of Pau Laroche.
Held Oceti Sakowin meeting also known as 7 fires here in Mendota what an honor.
Jim Anderson, Chris Mato Nunpa and SuSu Jeffrey all went to count about Coldwater. They went to
court 3 times before it was dismissed Sharon was there.
We had another garage sale.
In July we did the Mendota Days event.
Diana Wilson was here in Aug to talk about her book (Spirit Car) Lilly Felix name is in that book Lilly is
grandmother to Sharon ‘and her family members.
Toro Donation again for Wacipi.
2008
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8th Wacipi.
2008
Language Class
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Curt LaClaire won the Beaver award for Boy Scouts
Jim Anderson did a DVD of Cold Water.
Oceti Meeting 1-25 to 1-29-2008.
Bradley Sumpter started working on website 1-08
We got the Regalia grant from Two Feathers
HECUA gave us a grant, from Augsburg's
Waziyatawin came to talk about Sesquicentennial
8000 Drum Ceremony at the trees
Jim and Claudia got married on March 29th, 2008
Game Feast Dinner
Bruce White was nominated for his book
Pam Zeller did 15 grants, we did not get one grant
Work on getting a grant for Sustainable Agricultural
Connie Blaisdell has us on Ebay now
Tribal Elections coming up in May
We received 500 year old tobacco plants
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Nupa naming ceremony
We have had over 3,200,000 hits to our website since Sep 28,2008.
Toro made a donations snow blower.
Ben Yahota came here for the sacred run men10 & 7woman.
Many sweats.
Sugar Bush Camp.
We got a Copy Machine, donated $1,200.
Charter School they are still working on it.
Radio Station they are still working on that.
Red Lake Sun Dance.
Dakota Woman’s Society had a sweat.
Paul Lauer is working on getting us in the State Fair.
Jim Anderson was on a radio talk show.
Joe Anderson Jr got straight A in school.
Regalia Class started with Gerty.
Chris Leith was here to talk about being Dakota.
Paul Lauer became a Sun Dancer this year.
Treaty of 1805 meeting.
Sami where here, for a feast, and culture night.
Mike Skinner donated a tarp for the Inipi.
Green River Greening.
University Conference, sweat after at Chris Leiths home.
Someone from Mendota, go to Santee.
Tom Albrecht made us some signs.
Jim Anderson in Morton for conference.
We had 8 people pass into the spirit world.
Chaske Pow Wow Wally Ripplinger.
Pond Houses event.
Mendota Days second weekend in July.
A&A grant is done by Linda Brown.
Martha Fast Horse came here with two medicine men in June.
World Peace and prayers day
Earth Day.
Augsburg College Studies program.
Jim Anderson on KFAI.
Donation for refrigerator.
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Donation for freezer.
MMDC belongs to the Restaurant Depot.
Diamond Pet Foods.
Put up a display at St Peters church by June LeClaire.
Becky Wiggins is on the new Membership Committee
Chris Leith turns 73.
Kevin Martineau got 100 lb of Buffalo for Mendota Days, July.
Art from Doris Linch: Donation of 3 pictures
Bob Brown pasted away 5 years ago.
Our 9th PowWow.
Wedding at our Pow Wow, Nick and Brenda Anderson Aug 9.
Jim Albrecht has a water donation for language.
Bob Snitger had Harriet at the Pow Wow.
Cultural Wellness Center.
Pilot Knob ceremony.
Elli King book Listen.
Waziyatawin donated a case of her books.
Mazomani Camp.
Walkie Talkie donation from Cold Water.
Cold Water ceremony.
Lori Lynch donated some gourds.
Commemorative March.
Fools Crow came to Mendota.
Baby Shower Claudia Anderson.
Will have Tribal meeting on Sundays 4 times a year.
MMDC paid Sharon Lennartson & Sean Monahan back on the loan of $ 9,000
We got our D&B D-U-N-S number in Sept
Paul Lauer is doing MMDC I.D
Rhonda movie, some of it was made at the MMDC office.
( come and get your love )
Otto Bremer grant 2rd part. $20,000.
Oceti Sakowin meetings, they met 4 times in 2008
Debi McConnell donated a poster
Christmas Party
Brochures for MMDC
Manage Web site helpers Sharon & Joe Lennartson
Designed Website Brad Sumpter
Premium Water donated for the Wacipi.
Still looking for the family in the Sibley Home
Leonard Pelters Letter
Added many interesting post on our site
Business License due
MMDTC Policy’s.
Many Tribal Meetings one a month
Thousands of People have visited our website
Earth Day
National Native Indian Heritage Month
Intertribal Elder Service Inc
Migizi
Jim Anderson DVD on Rum River
Pike Island / Bob Brown / Started
Ebay thank you Connie Blaisdell for helping Sharon with EBay
CROW CREEK Faith Bad Moccasin
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May Day Parade
Tribal Sexual Violence Training Registration and Hotel Registration Deadlines have both been
extended to September 15, 2008.
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Elections.
9th Wacipi.
Indian Boarding Schools.
The Martha Fast Horse Show.
URGENT! Leonard Peltier’s Safety in Jeopardy!
Native Artist: Tiffany Eggenberg Contemporary Portraits.
Dakota Reclaim Coldwater – Day One.
Mendota’s Pledge Form 2009.
Celebrate Your Birthday With Us.
Wasna.
2009
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Gave eagle feather to member Dan Veesenmeyer at voting Membership meeting.
LIVE CAM Dakota 38+2 Wokiksuye Memorial Ride and Annual Mankato Run 2009 December 13 – 26,
2009.
DEFINITION: Mdewakanton.
No Indian history at Coldwater Spring, says Park Service.
Indian Chiefs.
September 23, 1805 TREATY WITH THE SIOUX.
Help restore native oak savanna on Grey Cloud Island.
Margaret Stewart Designs.
Lisa Elberts has passed into the spirit world on August 4, 2009.
Happy Birthday to Marie Winona LaCroix Nordin turns 97.
Makato Wacipi 37 Years.
Trial begins at 9:00 at the Hennepin County Courthouse Downtown. Please come and show your
support.
DREAM OF WILD HEALTH GARDEN MARKET.
Seldom seen headdress transfer ceremony Conducted by Bruce Wolf Child
The Gideon and Agnes Pond House.
Reclaiming Our Heritage.
Oheyawahi “a hill much visited” Historic Pilot Knob Markers 11:30 on 6-25-09.
World Peace and Prayer Day June 21, at Coldwater.
Spirit Tree after it burned, now it is gone.
Sofia’s Story.
We are so proud of You Sofia. CONGRATULATION’S for making the honor roll at your school.
Illegal for Dakota Indians to enter Minnesota or Dakota?!?
5th Annual Ceremonia Chalchiutlicue & Environmental Justice Summit
Mitch will be putting on various shows around the Twin Cities over the next month so watch for
updates!!
The Sacred Cha Nu Pa (Tobacco) Once told by Amos Owen
Chris Spotted Eagle / Do Indians Shave?
MMDC LOGO WATER BOTTLES.
CULTURE CLASS WITH JIM ANDERSON.
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CROW CREEK LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.
Apology for Abuses at US Indian Schools.
Gombold, Clarice J. (Nordin).
The Rev. Gary C. ‘Sungi’ Cavender Dec. 23, 1939 – April 17, 2009.
Rebuilding our Inipi on May 6th.
May is American Indian Month.
Honoring Wiyaka Sinte Win / Tail Feather Woman and her vision.
Jim Anderson from Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community is in this book
www.compassionaterebel.org.
LISTEN BOOK: By Eli King.
Florence Cruz has passed in to the Spirit World.
Happy Happy Joy Joy…Deksi Bob Brown is smiling down on his new Grandson
Becky Wiggins Jewelry!
“Stop The Reroute: taking a stand on sacred land”
Great River Greening.
Trail Of Tears Ride 2009.
Sugar Bush Camp.
A Special Event Fundraiser for The Circle.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ STRUGGLES TO DEFEND SACRED PLACES:
Augsburg College 1st Traditional Powwow.
Mdewakanton court case history: A fight over tribal identity.
Congratulations To Claudia And Jim Anderson They Have A Beautiful Baby Girl.
Congratulations To Dan And Angelia Monahan.
DAKOTA LANGUAGE CLASS IN MENDOTA FREE.
Jim Anderson: Day Three – Dakota Reclaiming Coldwater.
Voting Membership Meeting / Alameda Rocha will be at MMDC to talk about Federal Recognition.
BOB Opening Radio.
Pike Island ceremony for, Jim and Claudia Anderson baby.
Sweat at Chris Leith.
Wabasha, unearthing the pass.
Bears Party Jan 17th.
Chris Mato Nunpa class April 1st.
Melvin Greg Owl Fort Peck Healing.
Father Two Bull Christmas party.
Dakota Ceremony naming for Mary Jo.
Today it has been 10 years since our beloved brother, father, husband and friend Robert Brown passed
into the spirit world on Aug 8, 2003.
Sundance at Red Lake.
Thank you Bruce for writing this story. March 15th, 2009 by Bruce White.
2010
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Wacipi.
Nick Coleman – Harm done in the making of Minnesota.
Garrett Wilson Memorial Sevice Dec 29, 2010.
Becky Wiggins is selling some of her jewelry.
Dakota 38+2 Wokiksuye Memorial Ride and Annual Mankato Run 2010.
No Christmas Party this year.
KQRS, Tom Barnard will issue a public apology.
Thank you to Allianz Life Insurance Co, for their generous donation.
Minneapolis American Indian Center / Thanksgiving Powwow.
E-Bay Coming Soon.
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Mendota Dakota may lose center, News Article + photo.
The Endangered Language Fund.
Peter T. LaPointe Obituary.
Pitcher Jessalyn Weaver started 66 games in her three-year career with the Hamline University softball
team. Jessalyn is also in medical school to become a doctor, she is also I wonderful artist.
Essays on Reorganization Act.
Carlisle Indian Industrial School History.
The Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934.
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
NAGPRA.
PINE RIDGE: Running out of water, electricity shut off.
Bruce White / EIS.
Pidamaya Brad Sumpter for all the news letters.
The MMDTC invites you to become a member.
What is in the final environmental impact statement for the Coldwater/ Bureau of Mines property near
Fort Snelling
Sharon made new ID’s. Mendota Members.
2011
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Election.
World Peace and Prayer Day Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo
Calf Pipe Bundle
2011 Wacipi
Stared to use the DuPuis House for meetings
Eddie Benton Benais testimony from March 19,1999, about sacred sites
Albert LeClaire (LaClaire) Pipstone Indian School.
Mni Sota Exhibit Extended at All My Relations Gallery.
No Language class for two weeks at the DuPuis House.
Russell Means, Indian activist, actor, dies at 72.
Welcome to our newest Members 2011.
Dues Again.
Pow Wow Grounds will be hosting a movie on Monday, Dec 5, 2011 called the Dakota 38. For more
information, please follow the link.
TOYS FOR KIDS BEFORE DEC 19, 2011.
Holiday Party was very successful!
Mendota’s Holiday Party Dec 3, 2011.
The gate will be open at Coldwater Saturday Nov 19, 2011 for one hour.
Beginning December 7, 2011, the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community will be using the DuPuis
House to host Dakota language classes.
Native-Daughter’s.
Presidential Proclamation — National Native American Heritage Month, 2011.
Treaties with the Indians, signed in Mendota.
Fundraiser Ideas? if you have anything you would like to donated to Mendota.
Diane Sawyer goes to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. MUST READ!
Fundraiser for Mendota, we have a cabin cruiser a 1981 Sea-Ray 22ft.
Closing Coldwater for a year say NO, we need our sacred water.
Non Recognized Tribes in MN.
f you have any old pictures.
My grandmother Lillian Felix at Carlisle Indian School.
The Dakota Language Intergenerational Family Immersion Camp.
Another Successful Wacipi in 2011!
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Mendota Dakota and the Rebirth of a Community, video documentary.
Be a Mentor!
Lavanah asked me to add these pictures of Hiawatha Indian Insane Asylum gathering.
A women from the Yankon Sioux Tribe sent this.
Who is this little boy? I love this picture he is so cute.
We have moved!
This came out of one of the newspaper articles about Mendota.
These are the Video’s Brian Gilbert made for Mendota.
David Wilson has passed into the Spirit World.
Hiawatha Indian Insane Asylum.
Mendota’s New Tribal Council Members.
Darlene Jackson White Eagle began her journey into the Spirit World Thursday April 15, 2011.
We need Blankets for the new sweat lodge.
Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community Brochure.
Mendota’s Dakota community may get new place to gather.
Do you have an iim number? Doi.gov
Indian Trust Settlement.
Albert, Lilly and Albert Jr LeClaire.
Our mother Selisha LeClaire would have been 100 today Sharon Lennartson.
Please listen to Donald Whitehorn Navarre Flute Music.
Marriage between White Men and Indian Women August 9, 1888.
Live webcam of a bald eagles nest. Watch every day to see the baby’s hatch and growup.
Chris Leith passed into the Spirit World today 3-3-2011.
1805 Treaty Of Mendota, please read.
Irene Favel witness to murder.
Russell Means: Welcome to the Reservation.
Kill the Indian save the man, this is crazy.
Two new articles from the Star Tribune about our struggles.
This is the saddest story I have ever read. Who let this happen to our people?
Dennis Banks “A Good Day to Die”
Tanner A. Albers has passed into the spirit world.
Dakota War of 1862.
First Nations Orphan Association.
150-year-old letters give voice to Dakota prisoners.
Lineal descendant lawsuit nearing a final ruling.
Eugene Red Day has passed into the spirit world on Jan 23, 2011.
Dakota Women’s Society.
Leonard Cohen Lithograph ( First Snow ) SOLD
2012
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13th Wacip
Why Treaties Matter: A Professional Development Opportunity for Minnesota Educators.
The Secrets of the Medicine Wheel by Jackie Red Woman Lindow & Michael Monroe. Jan 21 at
1:00pm.
Estimated 160,000 Native Americans held by universities, museums and federal government agencies,
Support Mendota the First People, by Lon Navarre. Double Click the text to make bigger.
Dan Reisdorfer has finished his book!
The Augsburg Native American Film Series: Where Condor Meets Eagle.
Seven Feathers Construction 612-715-3037
The US Dakota War of 1862 Explore the War That Changed Minnesota.
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Jim Rock will be at the Mendota culture class on Jan 25, 2012 at the DuPuis House in Mendota at
6:30pm.
The Gideon’s 202nd Birthday Bash. Also some other events taking place to go to.
Sheldon Wolfchild / Star Dreamer (The Indian System)
(The Indian System) by Sheldon Wolfchild.
Memory of Chris Leith, Saturday March 3, 2012. Wiping of the tears ceremony.
Gifford Ilene “Napanee” Bergstrom, 69 passed into the Spirit World on Monday, February 6, 2012.
Honoring new honorary people, at St Peter’s Church at 7:00pm, 3-26-2012.
US DAKOTA WAR OF 1862, AN EXHIBIT. OPENS JUNE 30, 2012.
Moon Dance June 30 – July 4- 2012.
Winona Dakota Unity Alliance Sept 14 – 16 – 2012.
Chaske Cikala Wacipi, (Little Dance In Chaska) August 18 & 19, 2012
Luncheon Benefit for Frances Fairbanks at the Indian Center from 12-3 Aug 3, 2012.
Please come and support the Canoe Flotilla at Barbara Nimis house at 5:00 today Oct 21, 2012.
Howling For Wolves heads North this Saturday November 3rd, 2012 to mark the opening day of wolf
hunting.
History of Coldwater Springs by Bruce White & Dean Lindberg.
Mendota’s Cake for the Mendota 13 Wacipi, Sept 7-9-2012
Nice article on Coldwater in the Southside Pride Newspaper Sept 2012
2012 Overcoming Racism conference description & information Decolonizing Minnesota & Beyond:
Historical & Current Struggles November 16-17, 2012 at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.
Dakota 38+2 Wokiksuye Memorial Horse Ride 2012.
Kare 11 News talks about Dakota War of 1862.
2013
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14 Wacipi
Sharon got the grant from Dakota Indian Foundation for $1,000.
The Martha Fast Horse Show.
ACH Easy Direct Payment Plan for Members.
Please come and join us for Mendota’s Culture Class 1-30-1013.
Pidamaya to the person who returned the White Buffalo Calf Woman picture.
Membership is now reopened as of Oct 28, 2013.
Mendota is looking for Native American Veterans to be our honor guards at the Mendota’s 14th Wacipi
on Sept 13-15-2013.
2014
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Mahto BEAR Ron Cronick passed away around 8:36pm on Dec 1, 2014.
As Truth and Reconciliation Commission ends, hard facts about residential schools remain chilling The
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
To all members who are current with their contributions.
PHOTOS: Lighting the Sacred Fire and potluck dinner.
Pilot Knob / Oheyawahi, Sharon Lennartson, Villager newspaper.
Fred LeClaire son & Celina Robinette & Mom photo on our website.
We had our elections in May. Sharon Lennartson Tribal Chairwoman, Chris Antell Vice Chair, Marlene
Dixon Secretory – Treasurer, Perry Altendorfer Historian, John LeClaire Member at large, Lon Navarre
Member at large
Doctrine of Discovery: Taking A Hard Look At Our History and Theology
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Diane J. Humetewa she would be the first active member of a Native American reservation, and first
Native American woman to serve as a federal judge.
St. Pete woman Marilyn Cisek was picked to pitch a pudding company’s product.
Sharon got the grant from Dakota Indian Foundation again for $1,000.
Correction on Beverly Scott book, Beverly’s book will not be completed by the Wacipi it will be the first
editson only.
Changed our name to Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community.
2014 our 15th Wacipi.
Thank you to Cherokee Park Untied Church for helping at the feast each year.
Sharon Lennartson was on the The Martha Fast Horse Show to talk about our upcoming Wacipi.
Joe lennartson got the $10,000 grant from MARC.
Show at KQ.
First Inipi in Mendota at the DuPuis House in Sept after our 15th Wacipi
Christmas party on Dec 7th.
Jim Anderson moved to Mexico he put Lon Navarre in charge of the Inipi. I can’t think of a better choice
then Lon Navarre.
Updated our Bylaws & Constitution.
No Voting Membership Meeting in Dec.
2015
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We honored our ancestor on Feb 7th. I think this is our 19 year of honoring them.
John LeClaire is working hard on Mendota Days. Sharon is helping were she can.
We had our 3rd Inipi in April, will have an Inipi once a month on the second Sunday.
Joe applied for Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) for the Wacipi grant again, but did not get it
this year 2015. Joe did get it last year 2014.
Joe & Sharon are working on 4 other grants.
Sharon will apply for this grant from Dakota Indian Foundation again for $1,000
We are working on Federal Recognition again for about 4 months now. We are working closely with the
BFE. We have an attorney named Brian Gilbert, Brian is working pro bono. Joy Sorenson is heading
that committee, others on that committee are Greg Strandmark, Lon Navarre, Claudia Windal, Chris
Antiel, Sharon Lennartson, John LeClaire, and Perry Altendorfer. Carl Leith has joined us in the Federal
Recognition process.
Our 16th Wacipi was Sept 11-13-2015 was very successful. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped
at the Wacipi this year. Thank you Joy for heading the kitchen you did a wonderful job hope to have you
help next years.
Linda Brown, Pat Stark, Sylvia Swanson, Sharon Lennartson, and Connie Quinn are working hard to
make our 20 cerebration successful. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped.
We start to work on the Wacipi in March, people on the committee last year are Barbara Pietig, Joe
Lennartson, Sharon Lennartson, Lon Navarre, Tommy Tiokasin, Sylvia Swanson, Pat Stark, Nancy
Davis Ortiz, Duba Cisek, Joan Jackson, Joy Sorenson Navarre, Marlene Dixon, Maria McNamara, John
LeClaire, Bob Dufour, Jessica Strand, and Loreen Grostyan, Erick Strand.
Sharon called Linda Young about getting gaming going again with her help. We are moving again we
were at the Post office for 1 year. We will be moving to 1351 Sibley Memorial Hwy in November.
Land patents in Minnesota and the Laws Relating to Indian Affairs: If you know of any of your ancestor
who owned land before Minnesota became a state please let us know asap.
Important Message and legal disclosure for Inactive Members. We are sending out letters to inactive
members to be removed from membership.
Thank you Pamela Fagan and Gary Shull for buying and donating the popcorn machine.
Secretary of State paper work is done each year.
Attorney General paperwork is done each year.
Ceremony for Wounded Knee in January.
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We will have our Christmas party and toy drive on Dec 5th at the DuPuis House.
Working with the MNHS on programs, they are going to help us with telling our Mendota History finally
our story will be told.
We are working with Carl Leith on Federal Recognition. Perry Altendorfer, Greg Strandmark, Sharon
Lennartson, Pastor Tim, Lon Navarre & Joy Sorensen Navarre, Claudia Windal. We are all working
hard to makes this happen. We are working with the Bureau of Federal Acknowledgment.
2016:
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Honoring Our Ancestors on February 6th, 2016
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Removing members who are not active they had 90 days’ notice.
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We got a $10,000 for the Wacipi thanks to Joe and Sharon Lennartson Joe is Sharon son.
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Membership is still closed we closed membership in February of 2015. We are working on our active
members.
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Language class & Culture & Beading classes will be starting in March.
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Anita Gates will be teaching language class.
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Sheldon Wolfchild will be coming to culture class about his 3rd The Doctrine of Discovery.
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This is only some of the things the Mendota Community Members have done, this is just a rough cut of
my list. Just wanted to show our active members that the Tribal Council is working hard for the
Community. There is so much more but this will give you an idea of what we have year after year. I will
be adding to this list. If you know of something I forgot send me an email I will add it. Sharon
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Your Tribal Council
Sharon Lennartson Tribal Chairwoman
Chris Antiel Vice Chairman
Marlene Dixon Treasurer / Secretary
Perry Altendorfer Historian
Jim Anderson Cultural Advisor
John LeClaire Member at Large
Lon Navarre Member at Large
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