Letters to the Editor

New Americans Vital to ND Long Term Facilities

May 24th, 2020

Nyamal Dei, Board Member
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
(701) 318-5167

Friday, May 22, 2020

Dear Editor,
An unfortunate situation arose this past week when a news story developed around COVID-19 cases in Fargo-area nursing homes and noted that past federal inspections indicated there were failures to sufficiently address infection control procedures at these facilities.

Comments to Valley News Live from North Dakota Long Term Care President Shelly Peterson gave a false…

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Your Gift Matters, No Matter the Amount!

December 23rd, 2019

To the editor:

The holiday season is one of the very best times of the year to energize your spirit of generosity, thanksgiving and giving back. For the countless nonprofits serving our community, it is also a critical time of year for their financial stability.

The phrase “any amount will help” is certainly used a great deal throughout the year, but when it comes to gifts during the holiday season, it is so unbelievably true.

According to a new study from the Lilly School of…

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Letter to the Editor: ‘A husband defending my wife’s accomplishments’

May 22nd, 2019

On Tuesday, May 21, the Grand Forks Herald published a story about the search for a new CEO for the Grand Forks United Way. That story quoted Phyllis Johnson, United Way’s interim CEO and current board chair to the effect that someone from either coast or from a city would be a poor choice as the agency’s new leader.

The Johnson quotation the Herald published argued that “people who come from one coast or another, or some distance, its harder for them to kind of settle into…

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Letter to the Editor: Summer Traffic Warning

May 22nd, 2019

To the editor:

Summer will be here soon and when the temperatures rise outside, so do the number of travelers on our state’s roadways. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) wants everyone to enjoy the few precious warm months we North Dakotan’s love, but to do so in a way that allows everyone to arrive at their destination safely. NDDOT is asking every driver and vehicle occupant to help meet the Vision Zero goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries…

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​To: North Dakota Senators and Representatives

April 3rd, 2019

The North Dakota Student Association (NDSA) is a student-funded and student-led advocacy organization representing North Dakota’s 45,000 public college and university students. We have been very active this legislative session promoting the voice of students in state policymaking, and one major focus of ours has been lessening the financial burden of college.

Perhaps one of the best ways you can make college more affordable for students is by supporting the Challenge Fund Grant…

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​The consequences of SB 2044

March 20th, 2019

To the editor:

Senate Bill 2044 was introduced in the North Dakota Senate in January, sponsored by Senator Janne Myrdal (R-10), from Edinburg, outlining criminal punishments regarding “interfering”, “impeding”, or “inhibiting” (to name just a few of the many descriptive words) critical infrastructure.

At face value this bill seems reasonable and sound. It seems the intention of this bill is to keep the people of North Dakota safe and their services protected. Unfortunately,…

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​Letter to the editor:

January 29th, 2019

We can’t thank enough the great number of colleagues, neighbors and good friends who reached out to Pat during a very personal, difficult time. She never expected this to happen, nor did we think it would become such a public story. Your support has meant the world to Pat!

She still believes strongly in United Way’s mission to work to reduce poverty in society and to help people now living in poverty in our community. As part of this critical effort, United Way is participating in…

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Letter to the Editor: Measure 1 a win for transparency

January 4th, 2019


To the Editor:

North Dakotans came together across the spectrum last year to make a significant decision. East or west, regardless of party or ideology, we voted to improve transparency and accountability in state government. It was called Measure 1 before the election; now it is Article XIV of the state Constitution.

Implementing Article XIV begins with the Ethics Commission bill in the current legislative session. The bill primarily establishes and funds the Ethics Commission and calls…

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Thank You Letter

October 17th, 2018

October 4, 2018

Dear Senator Heitkamp,

As a follow up to our Op-Ed respectfully signed and submitted to both you and Senator Hoeven on August 16, 2018 by 41 North Dakota Native Women Leaders, we thank you for voting no on the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. We also want to thank you again for taking time to visit with us last month while our delegation traveled to Washington, D.C.

We know there is much work to be done moving forward but not one of us can do it alone. We hope…

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‘Mockery of Indigenous peoples’ pain’

October 15th, 2018


Savanna Lafontaine-Greywind - Facebook

Injustice is an unsettling yet common reality for the families of Indigenous women who've gone missing. Those who've been found and brought home are still gone; their murderers are vanished and no one is held to account. There is a seething hate for my Indigenous kin here in the Dakotas and friendly Minnesota. It is a wanton loathing, unashamed when revealed: the only good Indian is a dead Indian. It is abundantly clear that there is no expectation for justice on behalf of any…

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