Shelley Buck is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 47A . She is an enrolled member of the Prairie Island Indian Community and a nonprofit executive serving as president of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi , a Dakota-led organization restoring sacred lands at St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. Buck was elected in a January 2026 special election, winning the DFL primary with 87% of the vote and no general election opponent, and was sworn in on February 3, 2026. Her priorities include affordability, environmental protection, and gun safety. Notable achievements include 12 years on the Prairie Island Tribal Council , the Minnesota Lynx Inspiring Women’s Award , Minnesota Indian Education Association’s Tribal Leader of the Year Award , and service on boards such as the Minnesota Wild Foundation and Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- Bachelor of Science in business accounting, Indiana University

- Master of Arts in sports management, Concordia University, St. Paul

- Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law , University of Tulsa

Political Experience:

- Elected to Minnesota House District 47A , 2026

- Prairie Island Tribal Council, 12 years

- Alternate Regional VP, National Congress of American Indians

- Minnesota DFL CD4 State Delegate

- Current roles: Boards/councils including Great River Passage Conservancy, Meet Minneapolis, Metropolitan Council Regional American Indian Advisory Council, and University of Minnesota Indigenous Education for All Community Advisory Council