in the news

U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Indian Child Welfare Act: Tadd Johnson interview with Robin Washington, Simply Superior, Wisconsin Public Radio, July 7, 2023

New regent Tadd Johnson makes Minnesota, university history - MinnPost, August 5, 2022.   The University of Minnesota, founded on tribal land with a history of injustices against Native Americans, is now finding ways to reckon with that past. 

Native American voters across Minnesota turned out to oust Trump. Vote totals were up around Red Lake, and 90% for Biden. Star Tribune, November 21, 2020

UMD medical students mull autopsy controversy, Duluth News Tribune, February 19, 2015

The body of a Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe spiritual leader was released to family members on Monday, a day after they gathered on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus to protest a planned autopsy. Duluth News Tribune, February 09, 2015

Land seizures, 'unethical' research: University of Minnesota confronts troubled history with tribal nations. Indigenous nations want reparations, understanding over land seizure with U . Star Tribune, April 3, 2021

Lifetime Achievement Award for Tadd Johnson, UMD News , October 14, 2021

Process begins to fill four openings on the U's Board of Regents. Some students have called for change after Regent Steve Sviggum questioned whether the Morris campus had become "too diverse." Star Tribune, December 09, 2022

Star Tribune Editorial Board: Seek truth about Indian boarding schools in Minnesota. Effort to see if the state may have unmarked graves like those found in Canada should be led by tribes themselves. Star Tribune, July 17, 2021

Only 18 freshmen benefit in first year of U's Native American Promise Tuition Program. Some tribal leaders say the program is a promising first step, but they hope it will eventually include far more Native students. Star Tribune, December 02, 2022

Sovereignty Day at the Minnesota Legislature. Pictured with Tadd are Ed Fairbanks (Leech Lake), Secretary-Treasurer Rebecca Stratton Crooks (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community) and Levi Brown (Leech Lake).

Mary Toutloff Anderson (Bois Forte Chippewa and Tadd’s grandmother), second from the right, with the bread they baked at the Indian Boarding School in Tower, MN. Photo from Norma Johnson collection

Tadd Johnson: Building Relationships From the Ground Up, UMN News

Judge affirms that 61,000-acre Mille Lacs Reservation still exists. What does that mean? Minnesota Public Radio, March 10, 2022

University of Minnesota initiative to examine school's history with tribes, teach residents about racial justice. Minnesota Transform was born out of unrest after George Floyd's death. Star Tribune, January 13, 2021

Redistricting creates new 'powerhouse' districts for Minnesota tribes. The courts united all seven of Minnesota's Anishinaabe tribes into the Eighth Congressional District and created a new opportunity in the state Senate. Star Tribune, February 24, 2022

Regent Tadd Johnson discusses new role, UMN improvement with Indigenous communities. Johnson said he wants to prioritize Indigenous education amidst his campaign for reelection. Minnesota Daily, September 30, 2022

First Native American appointed to University of Minnesota Board of Regents, Minnesota Public Radio, July 13, 2022

“I am proud to appoint Regent Tadd Johnson – the first Native person ever appointed to this board,” said Governor Walz. “With a background in leadership, education, and deep understanding of government on all levels, he brings a wealth of higher education expertise to this group.”, Press Release, Governor Tim Walz, July 13, 2022

Native Lights: Tadd Johnson’s Gift for Teaching and Advocating, Minnesota Native News, AMPERS