Larry Knudsen, Member of Ho Chunk Nations, Black River Falls, Wisconsin

Dave Chittenden, VP, Education, Science Museum of Minnesota and Larry at the CBSO workshop

Larry and Doug Raney, Project Director, Science Museum of Minnesota

Annette Whitner and Wade Fernandez at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College  

JoLynn Shoptease and Larry at the Two Feathers Fund Reception 

Welcome back to the Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce (IICOC).

I remember when I was growing up in South Minneapolis as a kid, I knew I was in the Indian neighborhood.  There were alot of Indians living in the Phillips neighborhood. 

This was back, way back, not that far, but in 70's.  I always felt good seeing my color.  But then, in the 80's times were changing in South Minneapolis.

Minneapolis was suffering like the rest of the country.  We had boarded up houses everywhere.  Minneapolis was selling houses for one dollar.  They couldn't give them away.  Minneapolis it self was in trouble.  Everyone left for the Suburbs.

In 1995  I started my company Two Buffalo Roofing Systems.

Then, Minneapolis was hit by two major hail storms.   They were two big storms.  Before you know it,  we had thousands of Mexicans and Indigenous roofers coming.

Lake Street the main hub in the 50's was 40% vacant and now with the Indians back.  We filled all the boarded up houses in South Minneapolis.  We filled and bought all the vacant store fronts on Lake Street.  

Minneapolis was now on the rebound after these two major storms.  "You never heard about this story in the news.

LONG STORY SHORT:  Indian's saved the City of Minnepolis and know one knows this but you and me.   And the Indian count now stands at 45,000 American Indains and 75,000 Mexicans.  I feel so much better.  The INDIANS are back and alive in Minneapolis!   Yes!