FULL-WIDTH BANNER WEBSITE AD - American Indian OIC

Whats new

Share :
Facebook
X
The Circle- Primary

Sharon Romano New Director of the DIW

Sharon Romano has been selected as the new director of the Department of Indian Work (DIW), a program of Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. Romano has worked within the Twin Cities and American Indian communities since 1972. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a commitment to education as a way for students to overcome poverty and become self-reliant in pursuit of their goals.

Before coming to the Department of Indian Work as DIW’s interim director in January, Romano served as the interim Director for the American Indian Family Center in Saint Paul for one year. Before that Romano was Admissions Counselor  for Enrollment and Student Services and American Indian Liaison at Metropolitan State University.

Before Romano, Jennie Lightfoot served as interim director shortly after the passing of Sheila WhiteEagle last June. Romano, who holds degrees from Metropolitan State University and Augsburg College, is an enrolled member of the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota and a member of the Mississippi Band.

New Red Lake Urban Committee

The Red Lake Urban  Committe elected new officers on Feb. 9. The new officers are (left to right) Gerald Auginash, CoChair; John Hanson, Chair; Bette Bailey, Secretary; and Murphy (Joe) Parkhurst, tresaurer. Past officers were Mike Loud, Ron Head, Murphy (Joe) Parkhurst, and Amber Parkhurst.

This reporting is made possible by readers like you.

The Circle is a nonprofit newsroom with no tribal affiliation, no corporate ownership, and no paywall. Independent Native journalism depends on reader support.

Advertisement

TOWER_SKYSCRAPER WEBSITE AD - MN DHS - The Circle SUD Campaign DIGITAL (160x550 px) Dad and Son

Recent Stories

Advertisement

CUBE_BUTTON WEBSITE AD - Montessori AICC Dual Trainee Circle (1)

More From Community NewsNews

Cover of The Circle Summer 2026 issue featuring a sepia-toned portrait illustration of Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull, surrounded by Indigenous-inspired floral and geometric artwork and a buffalo skull. The background includes faint historical text, and the cover highlights the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Original cover art by Willard Malebear Jr.

The Summer 2026 Issue of The Circle Is Here!

We’re excited to announce the release of the Summer 2026 issue of The Circle! This issue explores the theme of Resilience & Resistance – two ideas deeply rooted in Indigenous history and reflected in our communities every day. Resilience is found in preserving our languages, cultures, traditions, and ways of life. Resistance takes many forms, from […]

Robert Pilot

The Circle News Names Robert Pilot as Chief Editor

Veteran broadcaster and Ho-Chunk Nation member to lead publication’s next chapter MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Circle News, one of the longest-running independent Native American newspapers in the United States, has named Robert Pilot as its new Chief Editor, the organization announced in April 2026. Pilot, a St. Paul resident and enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk […]

EPA wants to eliminate one of the few ways tribes protect their water

By Miacel Spotted Elk/Grist This story was originally published by Grist.  In January, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal to revise the Clean Water Act, specifically a section of the law that regulates water quality and limits states’ and tribes’ authority over federal projects, as well as how tribes can gain the authority to conduct those […]

FULL-WIDTH BANNER WEBSITE AD - American Indian OIC

Search The Circle

Find stories, columns, events, and magazine features.