WASHINGTON D.C –
U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN), sworn into office earlier this week as the newest member of the U.S. Senate, is also the newest member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Franken was named to the committee by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
“We welcome Senator Franken as a member of the committee, and look forward to having his help as the committee works to improve the lives of Native Americans, meet the federal government’s treaty obligations, and strengthen health care, law enforcement and economic development efforts in their communities,” Dorgan said.
There are nearly 40,000 Native Americans in Minnesota. Federally recognized tribes and reservations in the state include: the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians, Fund du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Prairie Island Indian Community, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Upper Sioux Community, and White Earth Band.
Franken becomes the ninth Democrat on the fifteen member committee.