Dear Governor Tim Pawlenty,

Greetings from the small town of Wahkon, located on Mille Lacs Lake.

I am an Indigenous peoples' rights activist. I correspond with internationally renowned Indigenous activists. I'm working with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. Leonard Wabasha, a hereditary chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota people, is my advisor. I am requesting that you establish a Minnesota Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

1) reference - Winona Daily News - letter State looks to settle up with past

2) reference - letter in Indian Country Today newpaper, the world's leading Indian news source: Sparking change in Minnesota

To view and read the March 17, 2010 "...house concurrent resolution expressing regret for conflicts between Native Americans and European settlers", a resolution made up of mostly wording from the draft resolution that Rep. Dean Urdahl asked me to write during a meeting with him and Dakota tribal leaders, click resolution.

The resolution was sent back to its author, revised and re-introduced. To view and read the revised resolution click revised resolution.

I am hoping that the resolution of regret will be passed and that you will establish a Minnesota Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

An article of mine titled, "U.S. and states should establish Truth and Reconciliation Commissions" is located at: http://www.aaanativearts.com/printout1611.html

Best wishes,

Thomas Ivan Dahlheimer
Director of Rum River Name Change Organization, Inc.
http://www.towahkon.org