MIGIZI

🦅 MIGIZI October 10 Fundraiser POSTPONED - https://mailchi.mp/migizi/newsletter-12728325

🦅 Our Water Sovereignty interns had an amazing last few weeks. Here's a look at our Long Lake trip from last week.

The interns spent their 4 day trip engaging in activities like canoeing, fishing, and even catching and studying bumblebees. They also had the chance to hold reptiles and snakes, and they got creative with some tie-dye shirt making.

A huge thank you to Long Lake Conservation Center for being such amazing hosts and making this experience possible 🙌

Save the date for backpack & school supply distribution with American Indian Education! Monday, August 12 & Tuesday, August 13th from 11:30am - 7pm at two locations (South High and Davis Center) Questions? Call 612-668-0610

🦅 MIGIZI August Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/migizi/june-newsletter-12724570

🦅 Yesterday our FFP interns had another session of learning the magic of Adobe apps such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Bridge. They're gaining valuable skills for a potential career in Media Production or Graphic Design!

🦅Today, our Water Sovereignty interns enjoyed their second day of canoeing with our amazing partners at Wilderness Inquiry. They spent the day learning various rowing techniques and learning how to portage canoes. The interns had fun while gaining valuable skills and deeper respect for water. Next time, they'll take on the challenge of learning how to recover from a tipped canoe! 🛶🌊

The PLUM Catalyst, in partnership with MIGIZI, welcomes our first-ever intern, Miles!

Miles will spend the summer helping us make the summer a great experience for MIGIZI Interns. He will capture photos and videos for social media content, as well as perform a variety of other tasks. Most importantly, Miles is assisting with the PLUM Mobility Labs Micro-internship: Robotics & STEM Experience, which takes place NOW, July 8 - July 18 at MIGIZI. We can’t wait to share the content Miles will create for us very soon. Please welcome Miles to the team!

🦅 Last week, our CLAW interns had an incredible overnight adventure at Campfire MN! The trip was full of fun activities like canoeing, group games, rock climbing, and tackling the high ropes course and even ended the night with s'mores. Huge thanks to Campfire MN for hosting us—our interns had an amazing time!

🌟We are so ecstatic to announce our new hire Ilsa Lee! Welcome to the MIGIZI Circle Ilsa!

Ilsa grew up in south Minneapolis and she cherishes the Twin Cities. She holds Bachelor's degrees in Family Social Science and Spanish from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Her background includes leadership roles at Day Camp Kici Yapi, where she developed programming and led youth trips in the boundary waters, as well as experience teaching elementary school abroad in Spain and supporting high school students with College Possible. Passionate about education access and community building, Ilsa enjoys outdoor activities, attending Minneapolis shows, road-tripping in her self-built camper, and spending time with her family, particularly her young nieces and nephews.

We're so excited to see the amazing things she will do for Migizi!🦅

🦅 MIGIZI June Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/migizi/june-newsletter. Check out our latest News and Updates

🛶🏁Last Saturday our Green Tech interns competed in a Boat Regatta with 12 teams racing various types of boats that were all powered by solar panels!

Our Green Tech interns were hard at work, together they researched and designed a solar panel system for a canoe. They installed a 100-watt solar panel, wired it to a trolling motor, and a 24-group battery to power it. Their canoe also proudly displayed a mural with messages reading "We are on Indigenous land" and "Protect the land and water," reflecting their commitment to sustainability.

But it wasn't just for the fun of competition. The project was apart of their study on sustainable energy solutions for transportation with the theme of transportation equity. ☀️🌱

🦅 Last Friday, Migizi hosted their Best Buy Teen Tech Center Open House! They showcased their innovative workspace and cutting-edge technology.

The event had delicious food, fun activities, and inspiring speeches from our Teen Tech Coordinator, Teklu, and a couple of Migizi students. The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is dedicated to empowering Native youth by providing easy access to modern technology and encouraging creativity! 🧠

Exciting events are coming up this month! Such as meditation sessions at Common Grounds and a Plant Walk with Hope Flanagan. Plus, we're making progress on our Migizi mural, which we'll unveil at the end of May. Also, don't miss the showcase of amazing projects by Migizi youth on May 23rd! See you then! 🌿🎨

🌟 Our CLAW students took a fun trip to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, where they observed fascinating wildlife and botanical displays and picked up some fun facts about them along they way!🦒🌼

🦅 MIGIZI May Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/30ceba2e9d4e/migizi-september-newsletter-12718786

🎥 Migizi Speaks students present three short videos at the Next Wave Youth Media event. Our Youth Lead Assistant Kija Deer shared insights on a panel about MMIR 🌟

We've also been busy at Full Cycle with Green Tech, diving into bike tinkering for the past few weeks. It's been an incredible journey delving into the mechanics and inner workings of bicycles! Huge thanks to Full Cycle for hosting us! 🚲🔧

MIGIZI youth had an amazing day exploring higher education opportunities! At UMD, we delved into educational and cultural opportunities with the American Indian Learning Resource Center and Center of American Indian & Minority Health.
Then, at UofMN Morris, they connected with the American Indian Student Association and learned about campus life for the students and invaluable academic and cultural support. Thanks to both campuses for an engaging experience!

📅 Mark your calendars for our exciting April CLAW After School Program events! Get ready for the creation and unveiling of our stunning new Mural Painting and Live it!

Live it! is culturally specific sexual health and education for Native American High Schoolers that will take place Monday through Thursday from 4 - 6PM.
Live it! will start on April 22 and end on April 30.

You can drop on by or email [email protected] to register!

*This curriculum is developed by our friends at Division of Indian Work.

Even if our youth age out of our programming, they are never outside of our MIGIZI circle. ⭕️🦅

Today we are excited to announce two new additions to our circle— Shawn Wakanabo (Red Lake Nation) and Kija Deer (Cherokee Nation & Red Lake Nation)!
Having actively engaged in multiple cohorts during their high school years and recently completing a 5-month internship through Indigenous Peoples Task Force this past year, we're delighted to announce the next phase of their journey: a year-long position with us! Get ready to see Shawn capturing moments behind the camera and managing our social media, while Kija dives into hands-on work in our Green Tech Internship.📸🌱

From alumni to staff, please join us in celebrating the achievements of these two amazing young leaders!

🎙️ Twin Cities Youth, join us for Radio Camp 2024 at

Are you a storyteller? Do you like writing? Do you like listening to the radio? MIGIZI and are in partnership with and founding partner to present Radio Camp 2024

Join us for this PAID opportunity! Apply today spots will fill up fast!

✨ Attention MIGIZI youth! Today is the start of another exciting cohort and we can’t wait to see you all back in the building!

A reminder to check your emails and bring all of your needed payroll paperwork if you are in First Person Productions or Green Tech. If you have any questions call our line at 612-721-6631 ext. 3

✨Have a passion for youth and culture? Join MIGIZI as our new Lead Program Manager!

✨The Program Lead position at MIGIZI is a dynamic role focused on creating and implementing educational, cultural, and career support activities for youth. Responsibilities include recruiting and advising youth, designing after school and summer programs, managing the Native Youth Leadership Council, and overseeing partner schools and staffing to meet organizational and student goals. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director, the Program Lead also manages post-secondary opportunities and contributes to project reports for funders.

This is a full-time, 40 hr/week in-person position | $55 - 60K | Generous PTO, Holidays, Health, Dental, and 104K.

Visit migizi.org to learn more and apply! Application deadline: April 15th

🌟Join us in extending a warm welcome to Teklu, our new Teen Tech Center Coordinator! Teklu was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska for the Crow / Frog Clan of the Tahltan Nation. He is of Tahltan, Deg Xit’an, Polish, and Irish descent.

In 2022, he graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, earning a BFA with a focus on Creative Writing and the Performing Arts.

He has worked variously as a Peer Mentor, Teaching Artist, Community and Event Organizer, poet, rapper, and actor, Interdisciplinary Writer, Multi-media Artist, and Indigenous Rights Activist.

Joining our team as the Teen Tech Center Coordinator, Teklu will spearhead workshops and engage with our youth in our newly launched Best Buy Teen Tech Center. From 3D printing and audio engineering to video production and community sewing projects, Teklu will create avenues for our youth to express themselves creatively, while learning valuable life skills and discovering new career pathways in tech!

“I strongly believe in the unique and inherent value of each individual as a community member and in the power of creativity as a healing means to learn about the worlds within and all around us, and the interrelationships that exist between them.
I am grateful to join the MIGIZI Circle and look forward to contributing to the organization’s rich legacy of Indigenous Youth Empowerment.”

We’re overjoyed to welcome Teklu to our community, and so are our youth!

Thanks to the Center for Irish Studies at Saint Thomas - proceeds go to supporting our upcoming youth and their trip to the Boundary Waters! 💧 🛶 🌱

Prepare for St. Patricks day and order your own GREEN St. Thomas shirt here: http://tommiebooks.stthomas.edu/tommiebooks1/MerchDetail?MerchID=1846406&CategoryName=Shirts&CatID=27880&Name=Shirts

🌿Calling all Native youth ages 13-15! Applications for MIGIZI’s Summer Water Sovereignty Program are now OPEN!

💧Dive into a summer of adventure, culture, connection and experience:

🏕️ A 5-day trip to the Boundary Waters
🛶 Canoeing and camping escapades
🌿Cultural teachings around land and water with elders and community members

Spaces will fill up fast, apply today at migizi.org/apply-programs!

🍁 Sugarbush Saturday’s🍁 our youth and staff had such a good time helping out at Porky's Sugarbush this weekend!

From collecting sap to jarring syrup and even chopping wood, we gained a deeper appreciation for the hard work behind every drop and all the gifts that the trees give us.

🌳Miigwech, Wopida, thank you to our spiritual leaders, community members, and elders for inviting our youth to Porky’s and passing on these traditions for generations to come.

⭐️Join us in celebrating our amazing youth! Last night was the final day of our winter cohorts and we were pleased to announce our February students of the month - Ksinya, Diamond, and Faith!

From being nominated as science educators of the month to creating amazing graphic designs and podcasts, we are so proud of all of our students for their remarkable achievements and can’t wait to watch them grow!

We are deeply saddened to hear the news of John Bobolink's passing. He was very passionate about American Indian Education and had a bright energy about him. We send our condolences to his family, friends, and relatives, Saint Paul Indian Education, and the American Indian Community for their loss.

"This is a great loss for our community. His presence will be deeply missed. He was such a strong advocate for Indian Education and ensuring bright futures for children. Heartfelt prayers go out to his family and may he have a beautiful journey back through the stars." - Maria Morin McCoy, AIFC's Family Empowerment Coach

John will be greatly missed.

✨We’re Hiring! MIGIZI is looking to hire a Program Lead & Academic Support Specialist to join our passionate team.

By joining MIGIZI, you become a part of a legacy dedicated to the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of American Indian youth, advocating for equitable education, and nurturing our young leaders for a brighter future.

Learn more on our website ✨ https://www.migizi.org/careers ✨