October 29, 2010 - Bemidji State University officials say American Indian enrollment is up about 15 percent from just a few years ago. Some credit BSU's American Indian Resource Center with helping Indian students succeed on campus. Anton Treuer is an Ojibwe language professor at BSU. Treuer says the center provides Indian students a supportive and culturally familiar place to network with others.
March 26, 2010 - On this Midday program, a collection of reports in which MPR News explores how changing our food culture could help cure obesity.
January 15, 2010 - MPR’s Tom Robertson reports on DFL candidates for Minnesota governor participating in Bemidji forum on Native American issues. Report includes comments from Peggy Flanagan, director of Wellstone Action’s Native American Leadership program.
November 3, 2009 - As part of MPR News series “Stress-Testing the Recovery,” MPR’s Tom Roberston profiles Bemidji, a city with the state’s third highest peak in unemployment.
October 12, 2006 - An obscure 1960s rock group, the Monks, is rehearsing in northern Minnesota this week. It's the latest chapter in one of the stranger tales in rock and roll history. MPR’s Tom Robertson profiles the band, and interviews Gary Burger, Monk’s lead singer; Eddie Shaw, Monk’s bassist; David Fricke, Rolling Stone music critic; Dietmar Post, German film documentarian; and musical artist Genesis P-Orridge.
July 1, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that the Minnesota Legislature passed a $686 million dollar funding bill that averts a state park shutdown over the busy holiday weekend. Environmentalists are angry over one of the bill's provisions, which loosens restrictions on riding all-terrain vehicles in state forests north of Highway 2.
March 15, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty wants the state to partner with three northern Minnesota Indian tribes on a $550 million dollar Twin Cities casino. Profits would be split between the state and the White Earth, Leech Lake and Red Lake Ojibwe bands. The plan has launched a high-profile debate in the Legislature. It's also sparked a growing debate among northern tribal members. Some don't trust the state; they worry the plan is a bad deal for the tribes. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, members of the Red Lake band may get a chance to vote the deal up or down.
March 8, 2005 - White Earth has become the first reservation in the country to ban the introduction or growth of genetically modified wild rice seeds. Now, some White Earth Band members want to take it one step further. They want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide. Wild rice experts with the University of Minnesota, however, say the tribe's worries are unwarranted. The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are an ideal habitat for wild rice, and an important cultural food to the Ojibwe people.
February 24, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that three northern Minnesota Indian tribes are closing in on an agreement with the state to build a Twin Cities area casino. The proposed half-billion dollar entertainment and hotel complex would be operated by the tribes through the Minnesota State Lottery.
February 9, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports on a plan to build an interpretive center in the Big Bog State Recreation Area in northern Minnesota. The idea is making its way through the Legislature as the Senate has earmarked $1.4 million for the project. Supporters are hoping to get the project added to the House bonding bill in the coming weeks. The 9,000-acre Big Bog State Recreation Area was created by the Legislature five years ago.