By Maryann Marino
On a crisp November day, community leaders, partners, and residents came together to celebrate the grand opening of Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center’s Oshki-Gakeyaa, a 24-home permanent supportive housing community that represents hope and new beginnings for Native families in the East Phillips and Ventura Village neighborhoods of Minneapolis.
The community room was filled with pride and optimism as attendees participated in a traditional prayer, blessing, and song before cutting the ribbon on this transformative project. Elected officials and community partners praised the collaborative spirit that made this milestone possible, recognizing the impact it will have in addressing housing stability for Native Americans in Minneapolis.
“For too long, Native families have faced some of the greatest barriers to safe, stable housing. Projects like this change that story — they create space for healing, opportunity, and hope,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Ruth Buffalo, CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC), spoke with heartfelt conviction about the project’s impact on families beginning a new chapter. “Today marks an important milestone for our community and for the families beginning a new chapter,” Buffalo said. “Every individual deserves the dignity of a safe home and the opportunity to live with purpose. Stable housing provides the foundation for families to grow stronger and more self-reliant.”
The development, Oshki-Gakeyaa whose name means “New Way”, offers safe, renovated homes paired with compassionate, trauma-informed support services designed to help individuals and families achieve lasting independence and wellness.
For Anthony LaBatte, one of the newly moved-in residents who proudly helped cut the ribbon during the ceremony, the impact is deeply personal and life-changing. “MIWRC has changed my life for the better,” LaBatte said with gratitude. “Thank you all so much for giving me a life.”
His words resonated throughout the gathering, underscoring the profound difference that stable housing makes in people’s lives.
The $14.1 million development was made possible through a coalition of public and private partners, including the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota Housing, UnitedHealth Group, Minnesota Equity Fund (MEF), Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF), and Cinnaire. UnitedHealth Group was the largest private investor, contributing $9.4 million in tax credit equity.
“At UnitedHealth Group, we understand the importance of connecting housing and health to improve lives,” said Dr. Lisa Saul, chief medical officer for women’s health at UnitedHealthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group, which has invested nearly $88.1 million in Minnesota and more than $1.2 billion across the country to create and preserve affordable housing.
Following the ribbon cutting, UnitedHealth Group donated welcome baskets brimming with household essentials and healthy foods for each newly moved-in resident. Employees from UnitedHealth Group joined MIWRC staff in a heartwarming display of community care, assembling and delivering the donated baskets to welcome families into their new homes. The gesture symbolized the spirit of the day — new beginnings, stability, and the power of people coming together to support one another.
Founded in 1984, MIWRC has served Native women and families for more than 40 years. For more information, see: https://www.miwrc.org.
