Alissa Rose Skipintheday, a young citizen of the
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, died over the weekend at an encampment that's being called home of the "Forgotten Natives."
Skipintheday, who had just turned 26, suffered a medical incident at the
Franklin/Hiawatha Encampment in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday, September 8. The official cause of death has not yet been determined.
"The cause and manner of death for this individual is pending further investigation by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner," a
press release on Tuesday stated.
The encampment, located near Franklin and Hiawatha Avenues in south Minneapolis, is home to at least 300 people, according to news reports. Most of them are Native.
"Centuries of genocide and forced assimilation have created a range of challenges for 21st century American Indians," advocates for Native residents say on a website that was established to help people at the encampment. "Native people make up a disproportionate number of the homeless population in Minneapolis. Causes of homelessness are related to economics, domestic violence, addiction, mental illness, and many other causes."
Native organizations, Native leaders and local officials have been working together to provide assistance and services to residents. There are three health centers nearby -- including the
Native American Community Clinic -- but it can be difficult for people to leave the camp and seek treatment.
"Everything that is near and dear to them in their life is in that tent and if you had to leave and go get critical health care, would you want to do it knowing you would risk the likelihood that somebody would take your things?" Dr. Antony Stately, the chief executive officer of the clinic, told KSTP.
According to news reports, Skipintheday's death is the second one at the camp. A man, unidentified in the local media, passed away there in August.
Skipintheday, whose birthday was August 30, is being laid to rest on the Mille Lacs Reservation on Thursday morning. She was a young mother, according to
her obituary.
"She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, she was a bright and vibrant woman with a wicked sense of humor, she was a beacon of light in many people’s lives," her obituary reads. "Her strength and love for everyone was fierce. She had a fighting spirit. She loved music and reading and many other interests. She especially enjoyed spending time with her Mide’wewin family at the ceremony."
Read More on the Story
Young woman's death heightens medical concerns at Minneapolis homeless encampment
(The Minneapolis Star Tribune September 11, 2018)
2nd Death at Minneapolis Homeless Encampment Under Investigation
(KSTP September 12, 2018)
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