Letters to the Editor

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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​Letter to the editor: Native women oppose Judge Kavanaugh for U.S. Supreme Court

August 15th, 2018

Judge Kavanaugh’s views on voting rights and racial justice in America are extremely troubling- in light of the fact that right now Native voters in North Dakota are fighting for their voting rights in Brakebill v. Jaeger, which is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

As Native women leaders of North Dakota who understand fully the decisions we make today will not only affect us, but seven generations ahead of us, we urge Senators Heitkamp and Hoeven to closely examine Supreme Court…

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North Dakota needs to take leadership position on healthcare issues

July 14th, 2018

Ruth Anna BuffaloLetter to the editor,

I am running to represent the people of District-27 in Fargo for the North Dakota Legislature. In 2016, I ran for Insurance Commissioner, and received over 85,000 votes. Although that race was ultimately won by Jon Godfread, I want to share my thoughts about his recently issued insurance bulletin supporting treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He took a positive step which I applaud.

This bulletin means children diagnosed with autism in North Dakota will now…

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‘A rising tide lifts all boats’

July 11th, 2018

Dear editor,

President Kennedy was fond of using the phrase, “A rising tide lifts all boats”. It is a phrase worth remembering as we look toward the November election and a new Congress.

There have been repeated attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. While complete repeal has been unsuccessful, one effort, to do away with the ‘individual mandate,’ succeeded. As a result, insurance premiums are on the rise and insurance companies are now complaining they can no longer…

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Letter to the editor: ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’

July 5th, 2018

Rick WeilandDear Editor,

President Kennedy was fond of using the phrase, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” It is a phrase worth remembering as we look toward the November election and a new Congress.

There have been repeated attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. While complete repeal has been unsuccessful, one effort, to do away with the ‘individual mandate,’ succeeded. As a result, insurance premiums are on the rise and insurance companies are now complaining they can no longer afford…

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Letter on special assessments

May 16th, 2018

Letter to the Editor

For nearly 20 years I’ve been fighting the city of Fargo special assessment abuse. I ran for the city commission twice and have written dozens of letters to the editors over the years explaining numerous faults, including over charges in interest and fees added on by the city. What if Fargo spends the special assessment “revenue" for the benefit of a few. Maybe the biggest benefactor is the Home Builder Association. Did you ever wonder why the HBA hosts a…

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UND and old Wesley College ​- ‘For labor and learning’

May 8th, 2018

Old Wesley College at UND - photograph provided by UNDLetter to the editor

UND wants to tear down buildings. Why can’t UND use the buildings to teach people that want to learn how to restore old buildings?

They could use students from college university majors that are relevant. Work with trade school type schools. For labor and learning. High schools build houses to learn.

Maybe I should just believe that President Kane is showing so much ignorance (lack of intelligence) that he should be fired. What do you think?
- Susan I. Roman,…

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North Dakotans Deserve More from our Tax Commissioner

April 25th, 2018

To the editor:

I was completely dismayed to see Governor Burgum’s proposed budget guidelines for the 2019-2021 biennium. In short, he is asking each department to cut 5-10 percent of their budget, in addition to setting aside an additional three percent of the budget “just in case.” Further, most agencies were asked to cut employees by five percent. 

After hearing plenty of concern from friends and colleagues, I thought I’d see if the Tax Commissioner had any reaction to this…

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​An Open Letter to North Dakota Trans Youth

April 18th, 2018

My name is Faye Seidler and I was a trans youth who grew up mostly in rural North Dakota and Minnesota. My parents seemed to move every year, which meant every year was a new school system, and new people. It was hard to really keep any friends, because I knew every year it’d be different people.

I wasn’t openly trans or even knew what being trans meant at that age. I didn’t have anyone I ever trusted to have that conversation with. I also didn’t know anyone who could really help…

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