JUSTIN 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.