Adrienne Benjamin named one of the National Center’s 2018 Native American 40 Under 40 Award Recipients
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development announced its 2018 class of “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients. Nominated by members of their communities, the award is bestowed to individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and have made significant contributions in business and their community.
Adrienne Benjamin (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) was named one of the 40 Under 40 recipients. She is Assistant to the District 2 Representative for the Mille Lacs Tribe. Benjamin is an alum of the Bush Foundation’s Native Nation Rebuilder Program and the Blandin Foundation’s Reservation Community Leadership Program. She co-created Ge-niigaanizijig (The Ones Who Will Lead), a program that teachs youth their native language, introduces base knowledge of tribal law and governance, promotes higher education, and works to shape successful future leaders by sharpening leadership skills.
“The 2018 40 Under 40 award recipients are made up of a diverse group of young women and men cultivated from across American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” said Chris James, President and CEO of the National Center. “Each of these individuals has devoted their skills and resources to enhancing their communities. From business, academia, healthcare, tribal government, politics, non-profits, journalism, the law, finance, and marketing, 40 under 40 winners are shining examples for all of us to follow. For the 10th year in a row, it is an honor to recognize these individuals and leaders who will continue to define success for the future of Native American business.”
Award winners will be honored at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 29-30. To see a list of the other winners, see: www.ncaied.org.
Native Governance Center selected as finalist for second RaiseMN Campaign Institute
The Native Governance Center (one of fourteen nonprofits) has been selected as a finalist for the 2018-19 RaiseMN Campaign Institute. Over the next three months, Native Governance Center and the nonprofits will be working closely with their RaiseMN fundraising coaches to assess their strategy and work to strengthen plans for their next fundraising campaigns.
From there, a total of seven organizations will be selected to take part in the full RaiseMN Campaign Institute, benefiting from a full year of coaching and a $10,000 challenge grant opportunity for a future fundraising campaign. To see a list of all the finalists, see: www.raisemn.org.
The Native Governance Center is a Native American-led nonprofit organization that assists Tribal nations in strengthening their systems of governance and capacity to exercise sovereignty. The organization was created in response to a need identified by Tribal leaders representing the 23 Native nations in our region. These leaders expressed the need for an organization that would meet the expanding demand for Tribal governance-related resources and sustain this work into the long-term future.
Minnesota tribes to receive $8.6 million in public safety grants
More than $113 million in grants will be awarded to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Six tribes within the District of Minnesota have received grants totaling more than $8.6 million.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $1,921,228, the Lower Sioux Indian Community will receive a total of $3,261,780, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $1,187,669, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will receive a total of $1,310,299, the Prairie Island Indian Community will receive a total of $598,976, and the White Earth Reservation Tribal Council will receive a total of $337,426.
“Violent crime disproportionately affects many of our Native American communities,” Erica H. MacDonald said in a news release. “These grants will directly support efforts to address some of the toughest challenges – such as domestic violence and opioid and substance abuse.”
Nationwide, grants were awarded to 133 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $113 million, just over $53 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women, and more than $24.7 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
In addition, the Department is in the process of allocating up to $133 million in a first-ever set aside program to serve victims of crime in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime by providing funding, programming and technical assistance.
