As we enter the holiday season and the season of giving, I wanted to reach out to our families and friends in Minneapolis. The best gift that a child can receive is your support in his or her pursuit of a high-quality education experience.
There is nothing more important than preparing students to be successful. I see the future leaders of Minneapolis and our world in the bright eyes and intelligence of our students.

Dec. 5, 12, 19
Foster Care Info Meetings
Volunteers of America is looking for skilled parents to provide care for troubled youth in one of their three foster care programs. They will be holding information meetings to talk about what foster care is, the 3 different VOA foster care programs, and requirements. Meetings give potential foster parents time to ask questions. There are many native foster children that want to stay/grow up in a native home (ICWA - Indian Child Welfare Act). We are specifically recruiting for native foster parents. Provide training, 24-hour support, and monthly stipend. 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Event takes place at: 7625 Metro Blvd. Edina, MN. For more info, contact Heather Thornton at 952-945-4064 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Aquila Tapio (Oglala Lakota)   will be the first student to recieve her master's degree from Augsburg College's new Naadamaadiwin, "Helping One Another" Tribal Special Education program.   
Tapio began her studies after moving to the Twin Cities when she was 18. Her initial two-year degree led to a four-year degree from the University of Minnesota, then a paralegal certificate from Hamline University and finally a teaching certificate and a forthcoming master's degree from Augsburg College. Tapio is currently enrolled in her final course. 

The Indian dating website "E-Snag.com" sent me an email notification saying they had two new matches for me. Since I gave up on that long ago I just had to open it (actually I forgot all about it, I only signed up so I had a topic for my column). The message was brief; rather curt really, they want me to expand my snag-wish list. Sheez! But I think I know one reason why I haven't received many responses. I put 'honest' down for one of my potential buck's qualities. Hai! Oh well, I don't understand why any man wouldn't want to snag up a woman with four geriatric cats, a spoiled little foofy dog, crushing debt and whom can beat your flat butt in Scrabble anytime, anywhere. I'm such a catch, ennit?