- Details
- By Darren Thompson
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan was recently targeted by a GOP opponent for lieutenant governor, Matt Birk. Birk referred to her as “savage.” Flanagan is a citizen of White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Last month, Birk was recorded at a National Right to Life Council event in Georgia, expressing that he doesn’t believe there should be an exception in abortion bans for rape victims. “Rape is obviously a horrible thing,” Kirk said at the event. “But an abortion is not going to heal the wounds of that. Two wrongs, it’s not going to make it right.”
Addressing the issue at a press conference held on Tuesday with Minn. Governor Tim Walz, Flanagan said, “These disturbing remarks are disrespectful toward survivors and the policy is even worse. The Jensen-Birk abortion ban deny survivors the choice to end their pregnancy and force them to live the lives their rapists chose for them rather than ones they wanted for themselves.”
Birk then responded in a video posted on Twitter, saying that Flanagan tried to “savage” him for his remarks.
“Using the word ‘savage’ in this way is a direct, racist attack against Lt. Gov. @peggyflanagan, the highest ranking elected #Native woman in history,” said Illuminative on Instagram yesterday. “Comments like this demean #Native women, Native peoples, & the people of MN & cannot stand. We call on #mattbirk to apologize immediately.”
Flanagan hasn’t provided a comment as of press time due to other demands, according to her press secretary.
Yesterday, WCCO interviewed Birk in regards to his comments and he said, “Savage is a word I used all the time. If someone is gonna get offended by that due to their Indigenous culture—you know, look, I guess I apologize.”
Flanagan is up for re-election with Walz on the Democrat Farm and Labor line.
“We can’t afford to elect anti-choice leaders who do not trust or respect survivors of rape and who think that we should discourage women from having careers,” she said at the Tuesday event. “A woman’s choice to have a career – much like her decision on when and whether to have a child – is none of Matt Birk’s business.”
Birk is running with Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen.
This story has been updated to remove a quote from Suzan Shown Harjo.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
'More Than Just Food' | Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace Offers Native Ingredients, Meal Kits for Every Table
Navajo Nation Agriculture Dept. Warns Farmers and Ranchers to Disregard Communications from CKP Insurance
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Forwards Patrice Kunesh's Nomination to Chair The National Indian Gaming Commission to Senate for a Vote
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.