ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Senate has its first American Indian chaplain, who gave his first invocation in the Senate chamber.

Thomas j. Stillday, Jr., 58, is a spiritual elder and former member of the tribal council of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa.

He believes he is the first American Indian anywhere in the country to serve as chaplain of a legislative chamber. He was asked to serve by Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL-Erskine.

"We need to work together through our spiritual ways," Stillday said after the session.

Moe said he also will ask tribal leaders to give their own State of the State speeches to a legislative panel.