THIS IS OUR HOME
THE 8TH FIRE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
We are at a crossroads, but not lost. We can choose hope and preservation, ensuring future generations have clean water and sacred places.
It's time to listen to the land and each other.
The 8th Congressional District boundary includes the following complete or partial tribal nations:
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Red Lake Indian Reservation: The 2022 redistricting panel explicitly expanded the 8th district westward to include all of Red Lake.
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Leech Lake Indian Reservation: Encompasses large portions of Cass, Itasca, and Beltrami counties.
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White Earth Indian Reservation: The district encompasses the eastern portion of White Earth, including townships such as Ogema, Round Lake, and Pine Point.
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Bois Forte Indian Reservation (Nett Lake): Located heavily within Itasca and St. Louis counties.
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Fond du Lac Indian Reservation: Located entirely within Carlton and St. Louis counties.
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Grand Portage Indian Reservation: Located at the extreme northeastern tip of Cook County.
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Mille Lacs Indian Reservation: Covers areas surrounding Mille Lacs Lake in Mille Lacs and Aitkin counties.
WE ARE AT THE CROSSROADS
WE HAVE A CHOICE
Action Against Extraction
Debra Topping (Nookomis) is a dedicated Anishinaabe mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Water Protector running for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. A lifelong resident of Fond du Lac Reservation, she brings decades of community advocacy and spiritual leadership to her campaign for a sustainable and just future.
Debra's call for community sovereignty over our natural resources:
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Defending Our Water: As a co-founder of the R.I.S.E. Coalition (Resilient Indigenous Sisters Engaging), she has been a leading voice in the movement to stop Line 3.
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Advocating for Our Neighbors: With a decade of experience as her Band’s Elder Advocate, she understands the importance of putting residents’ needs first.
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Investing in People: Debra supports healthcare for all, affordable housing, and strengthening public education to ensure every family has the tools to thrive.
The Choice Path: The 8th Fire Prophecy:
Debra’s platform is rooted in the 8th Fire Prophecy, a traditional Anishinaabe teaching that describes a critical turning point for humanity. According to this prophecy, we are currently at a crossroads with two distinct paths:
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The Road of Destruction: A path of greed, materialism, and technological development without regard for the Earth, leading to scorched land and "poisoned rivers".
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The Green Path: A path of spirituality, respect for all living things, and a return to ancestral wisdom.
Debra believes that by choosing the "Green Path," we can light the 8th Fire—an eternal flame of peace, justice, and harmony for all people.
Her campaign is a call to action for the "New People" to retrace their steps, consult with Elders, and reclaim a way of life that protects our water and land for the next seven generations.
Meet
Debra Topping
for 8th Fire
Congressional District
Interview with Debra Topping
WHY VOTE FOR DEBRA TOPPING FOR THE 8TH FIRE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?
A Proven Leader and Advocate
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Water Protector: Co-founder of the R.I.S.E. Coalition (Resilient Indigenous Sisters Engaging), a leading voice in the movement to stop Line 3.
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Elder Advocate: Served as the Fond du Lac Band’s Elder Advocate from 2007–2017, ensuring the voices of our most respected members were heard.
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Educator: Former Teaching Fellow at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where she shared Indigenous knowledge and spiritual values.
Community Care
Advocating for national healthcare, affordable housing, public education, and support for small farmers.
A Voice for
Our Elders
From 2007 to 2017, I served as the Elder Advocate for the Fond du Lac Band. I learned firsthand that a community is only as strong as the care it provides to its most respected members. I will bring that same spirit of compassionate advocacy to Washington.
Finances for
Everyone
I am running for an economy that works for every neighbor.
This means:
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Supporting a National Health Care Plan so no family is one illness away from ruin.
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Fighting for Affordable Housing and strengthening our Public Schools.
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Protecting Small Farmers and Union Rights to build a resilient local economy.
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Ensuring our seniors and caregivers have the support they need to age with dignity in their own homes.
Action Against
Extraction
My motto is a promise to reject corporate economic oppression. I will advocate for policies that end the reckless stripping of our natural resources and instead invest in clean energy production that creates sustainable, local jobs.
Environmental Protection
Defending the Boundary Waters & Our Great Lakes:
Despite the recent U.S. Senate vote to lift mining protections in the Superior National Forest, I stand as an unwavering wall against the relaxation of these regulations. We must protect the Boundary Waters from toxic sulfide-ore mining that threatens our life-giving waters for the next seven generations.
The Homeland Focus
Key Issues
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
My relatives and communities hold the power to decide our future. While the U.S. Senate relaxed mining regulations in the Superior National Forest, a law can't replace our duty to the land. I oppose this shortcut to extraction because I won't stand by while the Boundary Waters—our lifeblood—is at risk.