Ernest Oppegaard-Peltier

Ernest Oppegaard-Peltier was born in Grafton, North Dakota. His professional experience includes working as a community organizer and a caregiver.[1]Oppegaard-Peltier has been affiliated with Our Revolution Bemidji, Project For Change, Beltrami Country DFL, Native Peoples Caucus of the DFL, The Eagles, and Honor The Earth.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Ernest Joseph Oppegaard-Peltier III (Joey), comes from a union and generational farming family out of Grafton, North Dakota. His professional experience includes being a caregiver, low level management, and public speaking.

Ernest and his husband Tyler moved to Bemidji, Minnesota from Grand Forks, North Dakota in September 2018 and have made Bemidji their home. Ernest honors his commitment to community and for seventeen years has served in different capacities in community building, volunteering his time to projects, events, campaigns and organizations.

Ernest is/has affiliated with: Co-Founding member of Our Revolution Minnesota, Our Revolution Bemidji, Project For Change. Member of Beltrami County DFL, Native Peoples Caucus of the DFL(co-Director), StoneWall DFL, DFL Environmental Caucus and Nonpartisan League of North Dakota. Formerly with Rock The Vote, Native Style, North Dakota Foster care and Adoption Task Force, 4NDYouth, ND Youth, ND Youth Advisory Council, Honor The Earth and the North Dakota Democrat NPL.

Life is about making those good, long-lasting memories with your family and loved ones.

- EJOP3

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We champion three key table-top issues that our families support, Medicare-For-All, Legalize Cannabis, Expanding Social Security.We need that corporation across the Eight to build each other up. We need to be good nieghbors to each other. We need to unite not just the seven Anishinaabe tribes, we need to unite as friends, allies and community!.Unbought, prairie populist fighter, who will get things done for Minnesota.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a hardworking member of our community, I am focused on our local communities and families building our labor class up and creating long-term individual wealth here locally.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I learned at a very young age not to elevate a person. I do look around myself to my friends, family, neighbors and community members, doing what they have to do to survive in rural America. The poverty, low wages, lack of opportunities that desperation that can be seen across America as our leaders allowed the extortion of our families' wealth, time, labor and lands. Even so struggling, still raising a family, creating lives for themselves and making great long term memories.

If I were to look up to something, it would be the words of my elder Leonard Peltier. “I don’t know how to save the world. I don’t have the answers or The Answer. I hold no secret knowledge as to how to fix the mistakes of generations past and present. I only know that without compassion and respect for all of Earth’s inhabitants, none of us will survive—nor will we deserve to.” I am not running to reinvent the wheel, there are a good deal of legislation out there that address the major issues that plague the American Labor Class, that the majority of American support. What I will do is use every tool in my toolkit to push us to get the job done as I carry myself in a good way with a good heart.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People? by Thomas Frank The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism by Thomas Frank

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Attitude Motivation Excellence Respect Integrity Courage Attentiveness

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am not new to politics, engaged over most of my life, to the extent of being appointed to a North Dakota Task Force. I am a community organizer and leader, utilizing and building that grassroots political infrastructure outside the party. Minnesota Congressional District 8 after redistricting hold all the Minnesota Anishinaabe tribes, it is important that our representative reflects those communities.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Rural community support Small Business aid Education Our aging rural citizens Tribal Nations Healthcare and medication costs Agriculture

What legacy would you like to leave?

Candidates that are dedicated to people centered policies.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1992, I was turning 4 years old in a informed Democratic household that the nightly news was a regular routine. I remember listening to the reporting of the Los Angeles riots after a trail jury acquitted four offices for police brutality against Rodney King. As soon to be President Clinton and his family started to get probed on the Whitewater scandal. Almost thirty years later, being that generation to see the massive police state and incarceration rate. While our leadership get wealthier and avoid accountability. It is time for the labor class voice to be at the table.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paper boy, couple of years through middle school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

A command officer on a star ship in the StarTrek universes.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The AIM Song.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The extortion and exploitation of the labor class of America.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Two year terms, with the intentions that those leaders whom hold those seats will be close to the communities they represent.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that our representatives should come from our communities that represent those communities. I've been civically engaged for most of my life, I am accessible, I am close to our communities across Congressional District 8 serving them as a faithful custodian of our lands and community leader.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The corporate establishment that owns and dominates the both parties and the political landscape. We have many great pieces of policy and legislation that the majority of Americans, Democrat and GOP bases' support and demand to pass. The Democrats currently control the three branches of our national government, with their major piece of legislation barely touch our communities issues and are filled with pro-Big Business support and policies. It is time to support the labor class of America, to build back better and let us be competitive.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Agriculture, Budget, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Natural Resources

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I feel a good leader, is always looking for their replacement. I believe term limits will help our leaders to cultivate more leaders and engagement if they are looking for the future leaders to carry on their legacy. Term limits are a must.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

no

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, a local man bought his father's home. His father a hard worker, tradesmen great insurance got hurt working on his home. Resulting in the loss of his job, insurance means to afford his way of life. His son, a struggle local business owner, single parent with two adult boys now and grand children, having to do what was best for his family and relieve his dad of that payment as he moved him next door to help care for him. There are policies that are supported by my communities and Americans at-large that would help the labor class stay in their homes, have health care and not struggle so hard. We need our leaders to represent those needs to our community.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Hey Victor!

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I believe in using all the tools in our kits to get the job done.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

This is a pivotal tactic to my priority in the house, using our congressional seat to negotiation between the White House and Senate to push our community needs. Forcing votes on legislation that are important to the labor class of Minnesota Congressional District 8.

Note: Oppegaard-Peltier submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on March 23, 2022.

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April 1 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Ernest Joseph Oppegaard-Peltier III (Joey). I am running for Minnesota Congressional District 7. For far too long an corporate establishment candidate has represented ​the labor class here in one Minnesota’s largest congressional districts. Minnesota Congressional District 7 needs a politician that is going to represent the farmers, landowners, tribal nations, labor class, and the people! Our populace demands for a populist of the people candidate and I am just that person.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Medicare-For-AllJobs ProgramCampaign Fiancance Reforms/Anti Political Corruption

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a hard working member of our community, I am focused on our local communities and families building our labor class up and creating long-term individual wealth here locally.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I learned at a very young age not to elevate a person. I do look around myself to my friends, family, neighbors and community members, doing what they have to do to survive in rural America. The poverty, low wages, lack of opportunities that desperation that can be seen across America as our leaders allowed the extortion of our families wealth, time, labor and lands. Even so struggling, still raising a family, creating lives for themselves and making great long term memories.

If I were to look up to something, it would be the words of my elder Leonard Peltier. “I don’t know how to save the world. I don’t have the answers or The Answer. I hold no secret knowledge as to how to fix the mistakes of generations past and present. I only know that without compassion and respect for all of Earth’s inhabitants, none of us will survive—nor will we deserve to.” I am not running to reinvent the wheel, there are many legislation out there that address the major issues that plague the American Labor Class, that the majority of American support. What I will do is use every tool in my toolkit to push us to get the job done as I carry myself in a good way with a good heart.

Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People? by Thomas Frank

The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism by Thomas Frank

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Attitude

Motivation

Excellence

Respect

Integrity

Courage

Attentiveness

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am not new to politics, engaged over most of my life, to the extent of being appointed to a North Dakota Task Force. I am a community organizer and leader, utilizing and building that grass roots political infrastructure outside of the party. Minnesota Congressional District 7 after redistricting is expected to hold all of the Minnesota Anishinaabe tribes, it is important that our representative reflects those communities.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Rural community support

Small Business aid

Education

Our aging rural citizens

Tribal Nations

Healthcare and medication costs

Agriculture

What legacy would you like to leave?

Candidates that are dedicated to people centered policies.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1992, I was turning 4 years old in a informed Democratic household that the nightly news was a regular routine. I remember listening to the reporting of the Los Angeles riots after a trail jury acquitted four offices for police brutality against Rodney King. As soon to be President Clinton and his family started to get probed on the Whitewater scandal. Almost thirty years later, being that generation to see the massive police state and incarceration rate. While our leadership get wealthier and avoid accountability. It is time for the labor class voice to be at the table.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paper boy, couple of years through middle school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

A command officer on a star ship in the StarTrek universes.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The extortion and exploitation of the labor class of America.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Two year terms, with the intentions that those leaders whom hold those seats will be close to the communities they represent.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that our representatives should come from our communities that represent those communities. I've been civically engaged for most of my life, I am accessible, I am close to our communities across Congressional District 7 serving them as a faithful custodian of our lands and community leader.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The corporate establishment that owns and dominates the both parties and the political landscape. We have many great pieces of policy and legislation that the majority of Americans, Democrat and GOP bases' support and demand to pass. The Democrats currently control the three branches of our national government, with their major piece of legislation barely touch our communities issues and are filled with pro-Big Business support and policies. It is time to support the labor class of America, to build back better and let us be competitive.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Agriculture

Budget

Energy and Commerce

Ways and Means

Natural Resources

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, a local man bought his father's home. His father a hard worker, tradesmen great insurance got hurt working on his home. Resulting in the loss of his job, insurance means to afford his way of life. His son, a struggle local business owner, single parent with two adult boys now and grand children, having to do what was best for his family and relieve his dad of that payment as he moved him next door to help care for him. There are policies that are supported by my communities and Americans at-large that would help the labor class stay in their homes, have health care and not struggle so hard. We need our leaders to represent those needs to our community.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Hey Victor!

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

This is a pivotal tactic to my priority in the house, using our congressional seat to negotiation between the White House and Senate to push our community needs. Forcing votes on legislation that are important to the labor class of Minnesota Congressional District 7.

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