Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 5) - Laurie grew up on the Leech Lake Reservation, graduating from Cass Lake-Bena High School. After high school and after starting her family, she went on to graduate from Leech Lake Tribal College and
Minneapolis is an amazing place, but it’s a community that grapples with poverty and income inequality. Schools and nonprofit organizations struggle to offer engaging classroom experiences that teach children to love learning. My goal is for arts
Only four private attorneys and two nonprofits offer limited immigration-related services within a 600-mile radius of the Twin Cities. Without access to affordable services, all immigrants live with the ultimate fear of deportation. I want to
Native Nations Rebuilders Program (cohort 5) - Pamela currently serves as a member on the Red Lake Constitutional Reform Initiative Committee, which is conducting community outreach in an effort to revise the nation’s governing system. Pamela is
As an instructor at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, I see in my diverse students the potential for leadership even in the face of glaring economic and educational disparities. I will build my skill set to develop concrete ways for higher
Rural Minnesota includes numerous food deserts and has higher poverty levels than the state as a whole. In my central Minnesota community, there is not a sustainable supply network that can meet the demand for local food. With the support of my
The African American family unit is deteriorating in Minnesota. There are high numbers of fatherless homes, physical abuse, drug abuse, illiteracy, incarceration and increasing mental health issues. During my fellowship, I will promote and establish
Although the Bismarck-Mandan off-reservation American Indian population is significant, their socio-economic realities and negative community perceptions separate them from full participation in the community. My goal is to utilize comprehensive data
The Mississippi River and its community face many threats to health, ecology, economy and spirit. These include the threat of pollution, flooding, changes to the navigation system, short-sighted economic development, displacement and disconnection
My work links the diverse worlds I live in—hip hop, community organizing and racial justice—and creates a dynamic and interdependent intersection of music, art and democracy. I will engage, educate and equip a new generation of artists, organizers
Across Minnesota, the experience of young children from pre-K to third grade varies based on several factors including culture, ethnicity, socio-economic status and access. During my Fellowship, I will engage parents both in my community and
