Minnesota Agencies

The board appoints the Indian American community's Ombudsperson for Families. It then advises and assists the ombudsperson for its community in selecting matters for attention; developing policies, plans, and programs to carry out the ombudspersons' functions and powers; establishing protocols for working with the communities of color; developing procedures for the ombudspersons' use of the subpoena power to compel testimony and evidence from nonagency individuals; and making reports and recommendations for changes designed to improve standards of competence, efficiency, justice, and protection of rights.

In 1991, this group began as an Ombudsman's Advisory Committee. It consisted of 17 members appointed by the four minority councils. In 1994, four separate five-member boards were created, each responsible for appointing an ombudsperson on behalf of their respective minority council. These councils are currently known as the Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.

The board meets regularly at the request of the appointing chair or the ombudsperson. In addition, all members of the four community-specific boards (Ombudsperson Board for African American Families, Ombudsperson Board for Asian-Pacific Families, Ombudsperson Board for Chicano/Latino People, and Ombudsperson Board for Indian Families) shall meet jointly at least four times each year to advise the ombudspersons on overall policies, plans, protocols, and programs for the office.

This board was eliminated in 2021 and replaced by the American Indian Community-Specific Board (see Laws of Minn. 2021 1st Sp. Sess. Chap. 7 Art. 14 Sec. 1-2, 8-13)

5 members, appointed by the chair of the Indian Affairs Council. In making appointments, the chair must consult with other members of the council. The membership terms, compensation, and removal of members of each board and the filling of membership vacancies are governed by Minnesota Statutes 15.0575. The board meets regularly at the request of the appointing chair or the ombudsperson. In addition, all members of the four community-specific boards (Ombudsperson Board for African American Families, Ombudsperson Board for Asian-Pacific Families, Ombudsperson Board for Chicano/Latino People, and Ombudsperson Board for Indian Families) shall meet jointly at least four times each year to advise the ombudspersons on overall policies, plans, protocols, and programs for the office.