2025 Candidate Responses - Question 2

At Large

Meg Forney (At Large):

“through the task force created with the City, Minnehaha Watershed and the MPRB”

Tom Olsen (At Large):

“This is integrated into our very planning process, and I will only support final plans that embrace this history. My hope is that the restored natural areas will provide opportunities for interpretive signage and learning. I would also consider renaming the lake or including adding Bdé Psíŋ to our signs and plans. I also think this is a great opportunity to advance our ‘Indigenous Action Plan’ by integrating those principles into our planning process and directly soliciting Native input.”

Michael Wilson (At Large):

“Honoring the lake’s original name and its significance to the Dakota people requires more than symbolic gestures. It requires structural commitments to indigenous visibility, leadership, and access. The most recent MPRB budget reduced funding for an Indigenous parks liaison position, and from what I understand, it has been a hard position to fill. I think cutting funding for this position is the wrong direction because it is clear that our park system has a long road ahead when it comes to truth and reconciliation. As your park commissioner, I will work in partnership with Dakota leaders to ensure enduring structures are in place, including indigenous parks liaisons, that the restoration of this land supports Native lifeways, cultural practices, and historical truth-telling. This could include measures like formal consultation on topics such as design and use of the restored parkland, as well as culturally informed interpretative signage and other forms of public education that center Dakota people and their relationship to the land. Most importantly, it requires a firm rejection of any parkland use that erases or commodifies indigenous history.“

Amber Frederick (At Large):

“Honoring Bdé Psíŋ means centering Dakota voices and leadership in every stage of the project—from design to programming to stewardship. As commissioner, I’ll advocate for partnerships with Dakota organizations, artists, and knowledge keepers to shape interpretive features, cultural spaces, and land use that reflect Indigenous relationships with the lake. Ensuring safe and meaningful access for Native ceremonies, gatherings, and lifeways will be a priority, including through clear policy and co-stewardship agreements.”

Mary McKelvey (At Large):

“I look forward to being an ally in this work. The Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan that the MPRB has initiated in 2024 is a great step in the right direction. I will continue to ask what the next steps are in stewardship of shared public lands with our Indigenous relatives who had an original tie to Bdé Psíŋ. There are several members of an Indigenous Action Board, and I look forward to getting to know and learn from each of them. I look forward to learning about Native lifeways and relearning histories. I will consider re-naming the lake and other sites if that is what the Indigenous communities bring to the table.”

Averi M. Turner (At Large):

No response provided

Adam Schneider (At Large):

“I would like to work with the MPRB’s Native American Parks Council to engage and consult Minneapolis’ indigenous communities, as well as those across the state of Minnesota. Their input is vital to the project's design and implementation, as well as to the creation of any policies necessary to allow indigenous people to practice their culture and traditions on MPRB properties.”

Matthew Dowgwillo (At Large):

“I recognize that many people value this land the native Americans Should be valued. However, I don’t really understand this question.

My belief of what would make up the best park board is one that is made up of people that really understand their subject matter and are willing to listen to experts and unbiased data to try to come up with the most equitable solution for things that they must vote on.

For me, my lane is technology and children. I understand what it’s like to be a parent raising kids right now and no other park board candidate has that experience. I know for a fact that I can fix the calendars and registration systems and that I understand how parents schedules work and the challenges they face with registering for things and getting their kids where they need to go, and I believe that I can solve many of those problems for them.

By making life better optimizing our budget budgets and getting more people to the parks I feel that I can build community and we can use that momentum to educate people about the important issues that they face every day, including cultural and environmental issues.”