Kalle Benallie
ICT
During Shelley Buck’s run for Minnesota House of Representatives, she learned she’s resilient. But it’s something she already assumed from the resiliency of Native people.
“I learned that I’m able to go into a new and different situation like moving to the area and being relatively new to people who have been here for 20 plus years, “ Buck said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the support I’ve had. It’s exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. I know that. I’m excited for the challenge.”
Buck, Dakota, ran unopposed for District 47A as Democratic Farmer Labor Party. She was seated on Feb. 17.
She is filling the vacated seat from Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger who won a special election for the District 47 Senate seat.
“As a Dakota woman, living in my homelands, now representing my homelands, at the state level, it’s really important to have that Dakota perspective and that Dakota view up there at the Capitol helping to make those decisions,” she said.
Buck is not unfamiliar in being in leadership positions. She served 12 years on the Prairie Island Tribal Council, including six years as president. She is also president of a Dakota-led organization called Owámniyomni Okhódayapi which is working to transform five acres of land at Owámniyomni or St. Anthony Falls into a place of restoration, education, healing and connection.
“It’s not an easy job and I’m having to work with the federal and local, the city community, the city leaders on that level. So it’s also giving me that perspective of working with the federal government, through the Army Corps of Engineers and then the city of Minneapolis,” Buck said.
Buck also said there needs to be more Native representation in politics, especially those who understand tribal politics.
“It’s important to have representation from a member of a Dakota tribe here in Minnesota, that’s federally recognized here in Minnesota. We don’t have that and I’m not sure that we’ve ever had that in Minnesota,” she said.
Some of her goals are based on the federal administration like ICE activity in the state. She said she watched someone be taken by ICE in court for a minor infraction case.
“It’s so inhumane. If the federal government’s not going to do anything to stop this, then it’s up to the state to take care of our people and to do what we can to try to get ICE out of this state,” Buck said.
Buck is also committed to uphold tribal sovereignty.
“Treaties are the most supreme law of the land. So I will most definitely be doing whatever I can to support and make sure and ensure that tribal sovereignty stays as strong, if not stronger. I also think for the state level, states have their own sovereignty too,” she said.
As of 2026, the Minnesota House has even representations between the DFL and Republican parties. The Democratic Farmer Labor Party has a majority by one in the State Senate.
“I know when I was in tribal leadership, we had to work with both parties on our issues, our bills that we took to the legislature. So I’ve done that before. I know how to do that. I don’t have to agree with another person’s viewpoints on everything to be able to come to an agreement on a common common issue,” Buck said.
Four other Indigenous women are in Minnesota political leadership: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Rep. Heather Keeler, Rep. Liish Kozlowski and State Senator Mary Kunesh.
“I just want to help people. I have what it takes to do the job. I do what’s right or do what I feel is right, which is based off of evidence and what I feel is just basic human decency. I’m not afraid to say what needs to be said,” Buck said.
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