Senator Jeff Hayden and Representative Susan Allen recognized by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe for their leadership and dedication to Minnesota’s Native Americans during the 2013 legislative session.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 11, 2013 –

On December 11, 2013 the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) Tribal Executive Committee (TEC) honored Senator Jeff Hayden (D – 62, Minneapolis) and Representative Susan Allen ( D – 62B, Minneapolis) with a “Legislator of the Year” award, for their dedication and outstanding work during the 2013 Minnesota state legislative session.  

Senator Hayden and Representative Susan Allen were the Chief Authors of two Minnesota Chippewa Tribe bills – both of which were introduced and passed during the 2013 legislative session. Senate File 250/House File 252, provided a legislative fix to clarify and strengthen the current Indian Child Welfare language in state statute. The second bill, Senate File 136/House File 174, was a property tax exemption for a building that is owned by the Minnesota Chippewa tribe. In 2009, the MCT acquired the building at 1308 Franklin Ave. E. in Minneapolis, in the heart of the Phillips neighborhood and the state’s urban Indian community to further their mission and serve their urban population. The location provides access to resources for the purpose for economic development, housing and financial services to community members.

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is comprised of the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and White Earth reservations, and is a federally recognized tribal government that, through unified leadership, promotes and protects the member Bands while providing quality services and technical assistance to the reservation governments and tribal people.