Office of Civil Rights
In May and June 2023, MnDOT delivered a new training series on tribal lands in cement masonry. Participants from Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and Bois Forte Band of Chippewa learned how to build sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and inspect them. In the process, they improved tribal land accessibility. It’s noteworthy that all training took place on tribal lands and that training resulted in upgraded tribal infrastructure.
 Training for both small businesses and tribal members builds relationships
The offices of Civil Rights, Advancing Equity and Tribal Affairs partnered with tribal nations, contractors and cement masons. Together, they provided contracting and training opportunities for both small businesses and tribal members. This is the first time that small business training and workforce training was combined – these are usually held separately.
The training series, in three stages, facilitated relationship-building among tribal government, tribal members, small business consultants and subcontractors, prime contractors, and MnDOT offices. Other MnDOT offices that supported the training include Consultant Services, Purchasing, Minnesota Management and Budget, and Districts 1,
2 and 3.
“Government to government coordination between the state and tribes is essential to improving employment opportunities for folks across our state. MnDOT is committed to strengthening and developing our relationships with tribal nations on transportation projects and programs, including access to trainings, employment and contracting opportunities,” Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said.
Advancing Equity used smaller-dollar contracts to hire three small businesses, MN Best, Hawk Construction, and Professional Engineering Services. MN Best surveyed, designed, and drew up plans, working on tribal lands with tribal partners and MnDOT. Throughout the series, MN Best increased their knowledge, capacity and scopes of work in design, plans, inspection and compliance.
MnDOT and consultants worked with the tribal partners to identify a native-owned small business. In the train-the-trainer part of the series, Hawk Construction, Jim King Construction and Ed Gehlert Construction learned how to construct to MnDOT’s ADA standard specifications for construction. They put that knowledge into action by making sidewalks and pedestrian ramps ADA-compliant. All three contractors earned ADA certification and are now well-placed for future ADA contracting opportunities.
Program also improves accessibility of tribal land
Each tribe recruited up to 16 members per training to participate for a total of 31 tribal members from Leech Lake, Red Lake, and Boise Forte. Professional Engineering Services and MnDOT staff provided classroom and hands-on training in the field. During these three-and-a-half days, trainees learned to construct and inspect to ADA standards and compliance.
Tristen Villebrun participated in the training with Bois Forte. He said, “Being able to practice every day what we learned in the morning really helped.”
Next, trainees toured MnDOT headquarters and additional work areas. Maintenance and construction gave presentations. Trainees learned from Human Resources how to network and apply for jobs. Toward the end of each training, participants were prepared to test for the MnDOT ADA Construction Certificate. To date, trainees have a 100% completion rate.
The program concluded with a graduation ceremony. Representatives from the tribes and MnDOT joined the trainers, consultants, contractors, families, and friends to celebrate the trainees and their accomplishments. Trainees gained experience working with tribal partners, contractors, consultants and MnDOT, which increases their employment opportunities.
Villebrun agrees. “The program opened up a ton of opportunities for me, and I now have a job in road construction.”
Looking ahead
MnDOT and Lower Sioux Community are currently working together on plans for an ADA hands-on training in Lower Sioux Community in the summer of 2023. For more information, contact Mindy Heinkel or Adam Marks.
Photo: At the Cass Lake Rest Area, MnDOT training participants improve sidewalks to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Rich Haavisto, Advancing Equity, confers with a consultant from Mn Best Inc. Hawk Construction employees are in the background. Photo by Lee Zutz
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