Amelia Schafer
ICT
RAPID CITY, S.D. – News of the murder of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, Democrat, shook the nation on June 14, after the Minnesota Speaker of the House was the victim of a politically motivated assassination in her own home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman and their dog were allegedly shot and killed by Vance Boelter, 57, in the early morning on June 14. Another Minnesota Democratic legislator, John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette Hoffman were shot and wounded, but are in recovery.
Police said Boelter, a staunch anti-abortion advocate, was politically motivated and possessed a “hit list” naming other Minnesota politicians. Boelter was apprehended and arrested by police on June 15 and is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, stalking and is accused of impersonating a police officer to gain access to the victim’s homes.
Leaders from the 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota shared their thoughts on social media over the weekend and Monday morning.
“Speaker Hortman was a fierce ally for Tribal Nations within the State of Minnesota,” said leaders from the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in a June 15 statement. “She was a true friend for all of Indian Country.”
Hortman was invited to the Bois Forte Reservation in northern Minnesota several times throughout her time in office, leaders said.
“She zealously advocated for the advancement of tribal sovereignty in the halls of the State Capitol, and the people of Bois Forte will forever be grateful for her leadership, friendship, commitment, and loyalty,” the tribe said.
Hortman was a longtime advocate for tribal nations. Hortman and Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Ojibwe, first launched Minnesota’s Tribal Relations Day in 2019, which was hosted by the Bois Forte Nation.
“Represenatative Hortman was a steadfast advocate for justice, equity and inclusion,” said Darrell Seki, Chairman of the Red Lake Nation in a June 14 statement. “She was a true friend and ally to the Red Lake Nation and to Tribal Nations across Minnesota.”
Hortman spoke out in support of the Indian Child Welfare Act, historical trauma and police violence against Indigenous people in Minnesota, among other issues.
“May the memory of Representative Hortman and her husband be a blessing, and may we honor their legacy by continuing the work they so passionately believed in – building a better, safer, and more compassionate world for all,” Seki said.
The Red Lake Nation will be flying all flags at half mast for the remainder of the week in memory of the Hortman family.
“Melissa and John (Hortman) stood with the Mille Lacs Band and all Native communities with unwavering commitment and compassion,” the Mille Lacs Band said in a statement on June 14. “May their courage continue to guide us, and may we all find strength in the love we share as a community.”
