Public Engagement & Equity Update: November is Native American Heritage Month Part 1
Governor Walz has proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Monthin Minnesota to honor and celebrate the vibrant and diverse tribal and urban Native American communities throughout Minnesota. Minnesota shares its geography with 11 sovereign tribal nations – four Dakota and seven Ojibwe. If you would like to learn more, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (https://mn.gov/indianaffairs/index.html) and the Minnesota History Center (https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/activities/museum/our-home) are great resources.
During the month of November, we encourage everyone to learn more about the rich history, diverse cultures, and the important contributions made by Minnesota’s first peoples and the Indigenous people who live here now.
MNsure Open Enrollment Started This Week
The 2023 open enrollment period runs November 1 through January 15, 2023. With MNsure, Minnesotans can enroll in medical and dental plans for 2023 and access savings that reduce health care costs for individuals and families. The savings work like an instant discount to lower the cost of monthly premiums and are only available through MNsure; consumers can’t access them anywhere else. Eligible Minnesotans are projected to save $560/month or $6,700/year, on average, when they purchase 2023 coverage through MNsure.
• Enroll by December 15 to have coverage start January 1, 2023.
• Enroll by January 15 to have coverage start February 1, 2023.
For more information and how to enroll, click here.
For videos about MNsure in English and Español/Spanish, click here.
Fire Safety and Prevention Video Chat
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division at DHS wants to help deaf and hard of hearing Minnesotans and their families safely communicate with the fire department and other emergency responders.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division invites everyone to join a fire safety and prevention video chat that will be held on a zoom video conference platform on Thursday, November 10 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
State of Minnesota Veterans Day Celebration returns to in-person event
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, November 11, at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs invites veterans, families, elected officials, and community members to celebrate and honor all veterans who have served our country. A free community breakfast will be served from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. prior to the start of the program at 10 a.m.
Metro Transit Staff are Taking Public Comments
Deadline: December 5
Metro Transit staff will be taking public comments on the Draft Corridor Plan on the planned METRO F Line until December 5.
The F Line is a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that will provide faster and more reliable transit service in the Route 10 corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Northtown Transit Center along Central Avenue, 53rd Avenue, and University Avenue. The F Line will be the sixth line within the Twin Cities region’s BRT system.
2023 Invasive Aquatic Plant Management Grant Applications Open
Deadline: December 12
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers grants to lake associations and other groups for invasive aquatic plant management projects.
Invasive aquatic plants are non-native plants that can potentially reduce native plant diversity and create recreational nuisance in lakes. The DNR’s invasive plant management goal is to minimize harmful effects caused by invasive plants while also protecting natural resources and their use.
Applications will be accepted starting midnight Thursday, November 10. The application deadline is 9 a.m. Monday, December 12. Application materials and details about the grant program will be made available on the DNR website on November 9.