A Story Filled With Contradictions

ON JAN. 7, I was in St. Paul, Minn., where Peggy Flanagan was sworn in as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor. Peggy has been a close friend and ally of Sojourners for many years, serving as a member of our board executive committee, and she has been like a daughter to me and my family.

What I saw and heard from Peggy could be a glimpse of the future of American politics. It felt so different from the divisive political situation I had just come from in Washington, D.C. It was a historical moment as Peggy Flanagan was sworn in as the highest-ranking Indigenous woman ever elected to a state’s executive office. I would like to give my space to present her words, adapted from her inaugural speech:

“MY STORY IS a One Minnesota story. It’s about community. We didn’t have much growing up. What little we had, my mom used to make sure we got ahead. But it didn’t always add up. We needed help. I was the kid with the different-colored lunch ticket. We needed those free meals at school. Medicaid saved my life. As a kid with asthma, it’s the reason I’m alive today.

Growing up wasn’t always easy, but it made me strong. I stand before you today because of a loving family, a supportive community, and a great state. My vocation is to create community across Minnesota—a community like mine that lifts people up and provides them a little help when they need it.

I am where I am today because of people who believed in me—my parents, my teachers, my speech coach, my college professors. And I’m here because of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, whose last campaign was my first. Their belief in me made it possible for me to believe in myself. Their support created pathways for me. My mission is to help create pathways for every Minnesotan—whether they live with a single mom in Section 8 housing, they are a farm kid struggling to figure out whether they can stay on the land they love, or an Iron Ranger who lost her job in the mine and is desperately searching for another way to support her family.

Tim Walz chose me as a governing partner because he believes in creating space for new voices. I’m proud to open the door. And now my job is to hold that door wide open for others.

My story is filled with contradictions. A few moments ago, I was sworn in on a Bible from 1854. It’s written in the Ojibwe language. I chose this Bible because it has deep spiritual meaning to me as a Catholic—but this Bible also was a tool used to erase Native people’s culture and traditions.

These contradictions are present throughout our history. I stand before you now as a leader of the executive office of Minnesota—an office that oversaw horrific treatment of my ancestors. An office whose governor once declared that our Dakota brothers and sisters ‘must be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of Minnesota.’ And yet this is the same office that in 2012 repudiated those hateful words and actions of a previous administration. I’m happy the Dakota people are still here.

My people talk about walking in two worlds. But one of my most treasured mentors encouraged me to reject that idea. I am an Ojibwe woman, and I am an Ojibwe woman all the time. I have a responsibility, especially because of those who came before me and cleared a path, to do good for my people. All the time. I am an Ojibwe woman. I am a mother. I am a Minnesotan. This is the lens through which I see the world, and the lens through which I will do my work as lieutenant governor. Our past informs who we are, but we build our future together.

I have a 5-year-old daughter. Her name is Siobhan. She is a funny, energetic, opinionated little Anishinaabkwe who recently lost her first tooth and attended her first Native American Affinity Group meeting at her school. My job is to show young people like her what is possible. To all young Indigenous people, young people of color, and young people in rural communities who feel forgotten: You deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. There is a place for you in this work. Your own story and experiences are valid. You deserve to have a voice within your own community and your own future.

Our future is bright. One Minnesota is grounded in the fact that people directly affected by decisions have a seat at the table. One Minnesota does not mean we are all the same. One Minnesota means we work together across lines of differences to find our shared values and improve people’s lives. Let’s get to work. Chi miigwech.”