In Minneapolis, leaders struggle with a sudden homeless camp

MINNEAPOLIS – When a disturbed woman pulled a knife at the beginning of the month, Denise Deer quickly took her children to their tent. A close man intervened and the woman was arrested. A few minutes later, 8-year-old Shilo and 4-year-old Koda were back on the sidewalk, playing with a train and swallowing treats delivered by volunteers.

The sprawling homeless camp just south of downtown Minneapolis is not the place where Deer wanted his family to be six, but did not suspect his mother-in-law. "

City leaders have been reluctant to break what is believed to be the largest homeless camp ever seen in Minneapolis, where the ban climate has generally discouraged larger settlements seen elsewhere. However, two deaths in recent weeks and concerns about the disease, drugs and the coming winter have increased the pressure to find a solution.

"Housing is a right," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "We will continue to work as hard as possible to ensure that the people of our city are guaranteed."

Up to 300 people gathered in the camp that took root this summer next to an urban expressway. When a journalist visited at the beginning of the month, colorful tents and a few teepees were lined up in rows, sometimes centimeters apart and three deep tents. Bicycles, coolers or small toys were close to some tents and some people had put clothes in the air.

Most residents are Native Americans. The camp – called the "Forgotten Aboriginals Wall" because it stands against a highway wall – is in a part of the city where there is a high concentration of Amerindians and organizations helping them . Some noted that the tents were on what was once the land of Dakota.

The camp illuminates some of the issues facing American Indians in Minneapolis. They represent 1.1% of residents in Hennepin County, but 16% of unprotected homeless people, according to an April count. According to data from the state health department, opioids are harder hit by opioids, with Amerindians being five times more likely to die of overdose than whites.

For now, the service agencies have set up zones so that camp residents can receive medical care, antibiotics, hygiene kits or other supplies. There is a free advertising station for HIV testing, a place to request housing and temporary showers. Portable toilets and hand sanitation stations were also installed.