BOIS FORTE — Heightened concern over federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities has prompted the Bois Forte Tribal Council to issue a public advisory urging band members to remain vigilant and carry tribal identification, following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week.
In a public information bulletin posted to social media on Friday, the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council tied its advisory directly to the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, offering condolences and expressing concern about ICE activity in Minnesota.
“The Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family of the slain individual in Wednesday’s tragic event in the Minneapolis community,” the bulletin states.
“We stand in solidarity with the Twin Cities and communities across Minnesota as we grieve the loss of a life taken and hold close all those impacted by this violence,” the statement continues. “In this moment of mourning, we also affirm our commitment to dignity, safety, and justice for all and we oppose the ongoing, unjust actions of ICE that harm and destabilize our communities.”
The Minneapolis shooting has elevated concerns in Native communities across Minnesota about the increased possibility of tribal members getting swept up in enforcement activities, and reports have surfaced of Native people being questioned or detained during recent ICE operations in the Twin Cities.
Federal officials have said the ICE agent involved in the Good shooting acted in self-defense, claiming fear of being struck by her vehicle. Similar claims have been made in a series of ICE-related shootings nationwide. According to reporting by the New York Times, immigration officers have fired on at least nine people in five states and Washington, D.C. over the past four months, all involving people in vehicles. At least one other person died in those incidents.
Bois Forte joined other tribal governments responding to the increased tension in the Twin Cities, all of whom have issued statements urging members to carry tribal identification and to remain aware of their rights during encounters with federal law enforcement.
Reporting by numerous news outlets, including Indian Country Today, has documented multiple encounters between ICE agents and Native people in the Minneapolis area in recent days, including several detentions in which questions arose about documentation. Among the incidents reported, four unhoused members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe were detained, and another individual identified as a Red Lake Nation descendant was detained and later released.
At the same time, tribal leaders have publicly addressed the situation and urged protection of their communities. At a recent press conference, Red Lake Nation Secretary Sam Strong emphasized a protective stance toward tribal citizens.
“We’ll protect our people at all costs,” Strong said.
The Lower Sioux Indian Community issued a statement last week echoing similar themes of unity and resilience.
“We are Dakota. We have endured, protected our people, and led strength through difficult moments before. We are doing so again — together,” the statement reads.
Little Crow Belcourt, director of the Indigenous Peoples’ Movement and a citizen of the White Earth Nation, said racial profiling has been a serious concern during recent ICE operations.
“They’re just pulling people over at random, if you’re Brown,” Belcourt told ICT. “Some of our Native people get mistaken for our relatives south of the border.”
Advocates and tribal officials have said having tribal identification can make a critical difference during such encounters, particularly for unhoused individuals or those who do not have ready access to other forms of identification.
Against that backdrop, the Bois Forte advisory urges members to carry their tribal identification at all times and to be aware of their rights when interacting with law enforcement.
“Band members should always remember that they have the right to remain silent when questioned by law enforcement, including ICE, and can demand a valid judicial warrant before law enforcement enters their home,” the statement reads.
As part of the response, the Bois Forte Human Resources and Tribal Enrollment offices have scheduled visits to the band’s urban offices to issue new or replacement tribal identification cards. The Minneapolis Urban Office will host ID issuance on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 1-6 p.m., followed by the Duluth Urban Office on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 1-6 p.m. Additional dates are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Minneapolis and Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Duluth, both from 1-6 p.m.
The Tribal Council is also waiving fees for duplicate tribal identification cards through July 31. Members seeking an ID are asked to bring one form of identification, such as an original certified birth certificate, a valid state-issued driver’s license or identification card, or a valid passport.
Band members are also encouraged to report any instances of ICE targeting to tribal leadership so the council can stay informed and respond as needed.