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FARGO — One of Fargo's own, Prairie Rose Seminole, has just come back from a trip to the White House for its inaugural celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Seminole was invited by first lady Jill Biden to join the celebration along with other Indigenous leaders throughout the country.
Over the last year, Seminole has worked as the inaugural Indigenous fellow with the National Parks Conservation Association. She says events like the Native American Heritage Month celebration at the White House are building a greater bond with Indigenous people throughout the country.
"This is mending relationships with an infrastructure, institution really, the governance as an institution to a uniquely political class of people. That's who we are as Indigenous people in this country," she said.
She says the invite came over email. She could not believe it was a real invitation, and had to call the White House to confirm if it was real or not. She says the event is monumental for tribal communities across the country.
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"It may seem trivial to some, but to step into the people's house, and to have Indigenous people stepping into the people's house, that's ground breaking," she said.
She says she is excited about the progress being made on the government level to bring more equality back to Native Americans across the country.
"It isn't about race or class or all of these pieces. It's about that federal accountability to these relationships with tribal nations and tribal people across the country," Seminole said.
She hopes to continue growing an Indigenous footprint in North Dakota parks and historical sites by working with tribal communities.
