Dream of Wild Health Awards First Native Youth Scholarship
The Dream of Wild Health farm awarded the inaugural Sally Auger Rising Star Youth Scholarship at their annual Community Feast on August 25th. Wicahpi Cavanaugh was honored for his exemplary performance and commitment to education.
The scholarship, which provides a $1,000 cash award, was established to help a Garden Warrior, past or present, continue their post-secondary education. In 2011, when founder and Executive Director Sally Auger chose to retire, the scholarship was created to honor her commitment to helping Native youth thrive and succeed.
Wicahpi was selected because of his maturity, his ability to provide a positive role model for young people in the Garden Warrior program, and his commitment to getting a college education. He participates in Sundance and powwows, belongs to a drum group, and maintains a healthy lifestyle. Wicahpi recently started as a freshman at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Cold Flows 4 Warm Clothes Concert To Benefit Homeless Natives
I Self Devine will headline a showcase of local hip hop talent, MCs, and graffiti artists for Cold Flows 4 Warm Clothes, a concert to address homelessness and substance abuse in the Native American community. Performers include: I Self Devine, Chase Manhattan, Point of Contact, Maria Isa, 100 Souls, Knox, Haphduzn, Mike the Martyr, Mundo Libre, TNT with Double Helix, NPC3, Manny Phesto & Alex Foley, The Anchormen, Tony Bones, Rob 1, Drifter, Ant Loc, ADMC, Born Hated, Hot, Big Boob DJs, DJ Kool Akiem and DJ Divewire.
The benefit is free to attend. Instead, organizers are asking everyone who comes to bring warm clothes and non-perishable food for those who are living on the street due.
"The purpose of this show is to increase awareness of homelessness and substance abuse in our community and generate support for those in need by collecting food and winter clothing donations," said Paul Wenell of Point of Contact, who is taking a lead in organizing the event. "We encourage community involvement and individual participation as a means to strengthen our neighborhoods."
Along with live performancers, there will also be a graffitti competition. This is an all-ages event. The show begins at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 6 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis. For more information, email: coldflows4warmclothes@gmail.com.
Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program recieves DOJ grant
On September 14 the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women notified the Minneapolis American Indian Center of a two-year grant award of $297,000 to the Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program. The grant award will support the Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program’s culturally-specific services that are tailored to meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native women who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking at higher rates than other groups of U.S. women.
The grant award will enable the Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program to provide culturally specific advocacy and activities through direct services and case management to 175 or more American Indian and Alaska Native women who experience victimization. Additionally, several hundred people will be reached through educational and cultural workshops for victims, community, service providers, and the criminal justice system. The Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program will coordinate and conduct education workshops on Children Exposed to Violence with area communities, victims, and service providers.
Indigenous Women’s Life Net Program services are provided in the Minneapolis-St. Paul eleven-county urban area. The project will work in collaboration with the Dream Weavers Alliance through memorandums of understanding and community partnerships, bringing area agency resources together to serve the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native women.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Elect New Secretary/Treasurer
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community General Council has filled a vacancy on its Business Council with the election of a new Secretary/Treasurer. Lori K. Watso was elected to the position and sworn in on September 10. Watso served as the SMSC’s Secretary/Treasurer from January 2000-2004.
The vacancy was created by the sudden death of longtime Chairman Stanley R. Crooks on August 25. Vice-Chairman Charlie Vig succeeded Chairman Crooks and Secretary/Treasurer Keith B. Anderson assumed the office of Vice-Chairman.
