What's New In The Community: January 2015

0
3812
views

justin hueneman-web.jpgJUSTIN HUENEMANN NAMED NEW NOTAH BEGAY

III FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Board of

Directors of the Notah Begay III Foundation announced on Jan. 6, it

selected Justin Kii Huenemann to be the Foundation’s next Executive

Director. Huenemann, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, brings 20 years

of experience providing executive leadership in the nonprofit,

government and higher education sectors.

His professional career has focused on

community economic development in low-income communities, Native

American communities and communities of color. He has spent his

career working to advance American Indian self-determination,

believing strongly in the strength, knowledge and resiliency of

Indigenous people.Mr. Huenemann replaces Crystal Echo Hawk, who

stepped down on Dec. 31 after heading the NB3 Foundation for nearly

six years.

“It is a privilege to welcome Justin

Huenemann to the NB3 Foundation team,” Notah Begay III, Foundation

Founder, said. “Justin brings with him a wealth of knowledge and

experience that will truly make an impact on the communities we

serve. I look forward to working closely with Justin to strengthen

and improve the wonderful platform established by his predecessor. It

is our hope that Mr. Huenemann’s leadership can enhance the quality

and effectiveness of the NB3 Foundation, staff and programs.”

“It is with great enthusiasm and

humility that I accept the Executive Director position of the Notah

Begay III Foundation,” Huenemann said. “There is no doubt in my

mind that sound health and wellness are essential to any thriving

future we desire for our tribal nations and the generations to come.

To realize this future, we must address together the epidemics of

childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes that plague our Native youth. I

look forward to working hand-in-hand with Native youth, tribal

leaders, and our allies in this fight to eliminate this reality.”

Prior to joining the NB3 Foundation,

Huenemann served as a Senior Program Officer for the Northwest Area

Foundation. With a mission to reduce poverty and build sustainable

prosperity, Huenemann supported champions of change who were building

assets, wealth and opportunity in rural, urban and Native American

communities across eight states and 75 tribal nations. He also served

as the founding President and CEO of the Native American Community

Development Institute (NACDI), an award-winning community development

organization located in Minneapolis, MN. Here he led numerous

community development projects, including establishing the American

Indian Cultural Corridor.

Huenemann currently serves on the

boards of Woodlands National Bank, Indian Health Board and the Tiwahe

Foundation. Over the years he has received several notable awards,

including the “Mayor’s Healthy City Award” from the City of

Minneapolis and Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation and the Bear

Award from the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Huenemann holds a bachelor of arts

degree in Architecture and a M.A. degree in Higher Education

Administration from the University of Minnesota.

“We are excited to have a

professional of Justin’s caliber join the Foundation as our

Executive Director,” Wilson Pipestem, Chairman of the NB3

Foundation Board of Directors said. “He has the right experience,

background, and passion to help win the fight against diabetes and

obesity in our Native young people.”

MINNESOTA AMERICAN INDIAN CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE HONORS TIWAHE FOUNDATION

MINNEAPOLIS – On Dec. 5, Tiwahe

Foundation was honored at the 27th Annual Minnesota American Indian

Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. Tiwahe President and CEO, Kelly

Drummer and Board Chair, Justin Huenemann took the stage to accept

the Spirit of the People Award.

The Spirit of the People Award is in

recognition of "People coming together to promote and utilize

the gifts of individuals and organizations to enhance, heal and

strengthen our Indian communities". It is an honor to receive

this award on behalf of the work of our grantees and the impact

Tiwahe has made in the American Indian community.

ADYC WINS COMMISSIONER’S CIRCLE OF

EXCELLENCE AWARD

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota

Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson honored Ain

Dah Yung Center for its outstanding contributions to human services

clients. Recipients of the 2014 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence

Awards were recognized at a ceremony at the Elmer L. Andersen Human

Services Building in St. Paul on Dec. 15, 2014.

Jesson said winners in the fourth

annual Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards share the

department’s commitment to supporting healthy people, stable families

and strong communities. "The work we do in human services has

real, profound impact – it’s a safe place to sleep, the chance for

better employment, the ability to remain independent. So what an

honor it is to recognize these organizations for being leaders and

innovators in this field," Jesson said. "Together we are

helping countless Minnesotans live more dignified and fulfilling

lives."

Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center is an

American Indian youth and family-focused social service organization

based in St. Paul that provides culturally relevant and

cost-effective services, including emergency shelter for youth five

to 17 years-old and a transitional living program for youth ages 16

to 21. With strong and proud cultural traditions as a foundation, Ain

Dah Yung Center guides youth in learning traditional ways, shelters

those struggling with homelessness, provides advocacy and case

management so families can build upon their strengths, ensures the

Indian Child Welfare Act is adhered to and assists older youth in

achieving the assets they need to be autonomous. Ain Dah Yung

Center’s work is holistic ensuring that the entire family heals,

grows and achieves.

Ain Dah Yung Center is one of the

oldest American Indian programs in existence – in the Twin Cities

and in the nation. By emphasizing traditional American Indian values,

ADYC helps homeless youth reconnect with their culture and community,

and find ways to transition back home or to another stable living

situation.

NEW VIDEO AND DISPLAY EXPLORES SHAKOPEE

MDEWAKANTON HISTORY

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. – A new display

showcasing the history, culture and values of the Shakopee

Mdewakanton Sioux Community is now open at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

This is a long-term, public display located near the hotel lobby that

also incorporates a new video about the SMSC.

“We hope people will come away with

a better understanding of the SMSC as a sovereign nation, good

neighbor, and proud community with a living culture,” SMSC Chairman

Charlie Vig said. “Whether people have two minutes or 20 minutes,

they will leave the display knowing more about who we are and what we

represent.”

A fundamental part of the new display

is a 20-minute video exploring the tribe’s past and present

featuring interviews with the SMSC Business Council, an additional 10

SMSC members, numerous employees, the mayors of Prior Lake and

Shakopee, and several other local business and civic leaders.

The video tells the story of the

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community as a people with a culture

deeply rooted in sharing and working together, who today are

committed to being good neighbors, employers, and stewards of the

earth.

The display is open 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. For more information and a link to the video,

visit www.shakopeedakota.org.