Little Earth of United Tribes' presentation from One Minneapolis: A Call to Action! conference December 2, 2011 hosted by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights

1. Little Earth
Investing in Solutions

2. Little Earth
Investing in
Solutions

3. Expanding Educational Horizons
o Youth Development Center the hub of youth work performed in our community. Under
the direction of Frank Downwind, we have seen an increase in our attendance numbers,
decrease in school tardiness, and an expansion of programs and community
partnerships
o Education is the key to providing a successful future and within Little Earth, there are
various programs and resources to provide education enrichment to youth from
preschool to college. We offer homework help and reward youth that have completed
homework and receive good grades with computer time, field trips and other enriching
opportunities
o Education is a crucial aspect in deterring crime and is a gang prevention component as
well, because educated people have a greater capacity to engage critical thinking and
problem solving skills. When faced with adverse conditions, an educated person is
better equipped to draw from these skills and experiences to make healthier decisions.
When dealing with a financial crisis, an educated person is more likely to explore
legitimate avenues of attaining income
o When confronted by an adversary an educated person is much more likely to use
interpersonal skills to resolve issues rather than becoming physical. In this way,
promoting academic success is promoting a healthy community. We work hard every
day to teach our youth the importance of family, culture and education through each of
our activities and programs with the goal of inspiring a child to reach higher and to better
themselves as well as their families

4. College Success and Employment
Navigator Program
o Targeting residents who have or are about to receive their high school diploma or
GED. Residents are encouraged to see what post-secondary opportunities are
available to them whether it be the armed services, vocational and technical school
or pursuing their associates/bachelor’s degrees.
o The College Navigator assists potential students in choosing the right school,
applying for entrance, applying for financial aid and whatever scholarships and
grants are available to the student based on establishment and each student profile.
o The program also provides transportation to tours, testing, open houses and college
fairs. In the near future Little Earth Residents Association intends on having a
College Fair where several of the surrounding schools and armed forces
representatives will be tabling to recruit residents.
o This program also has a job placement option. Local jobs, typically specific to the
native community, are kept in a data-base in the College Navigator’s office for
residents seeking a job to reference. The residents that choose to apply to a job are
assisted in putting together a resume and cover letter. It is obvious that this program
provides a productive outlet for our adult/young adult residents and will further assist
in the crime prevention in our community.

5. The Wiconí Wasté Mentoring
Program and College PREP
o
Program
Works one-on-one to coordinate resources from Little Earth and our students’
school and community.
o The Wiconí Wasté program’s purpose is to build positive relationships, trust,
and assist Little Earth High School students’ educational progress and success
in high school.
o This is done by monitoring school attendance, providing assistance in
overcoming obstacles that arise and combine that with creating a sense of
purpose, connectedness to others and income through Life skills classes and
an optional summer internship placement program.
o All these elements are braided together to support, create and encourage our
students and community to successfully complete high school and engage in
the possibility of a higher education.
o Allicia Waukau, Wiconí Wasté’s Program Coordinator is also involved in the
Phillips Indian Educators Coalition, Native American Mentoring Initiative in
Minneapolis and has partnered with a variety of organizations and agencies
within the Phillips Neighborhood to facilitate youth programming at Little Earth,
such as Division of Indian Work, Waite House, Hope Community, The Family
Partnership and Main Street Media

6. Dakota and Ojibwe Language
Immersion Program
The Little Earth Dakota and Ojibwe
Language Immersion Program aims to:
o Create fluent speakers in either native
language
o Create individuals who are knowledgeable of
traditions, culture and healthy ways
o Reinforce a sense of pride in being native
people who will play an integral role in future
generations retaining our culture and heritage
through the retention of language

7. Expanding Physical Horizons
o TRAIL is a diabetes prevention program through the Boys
and Girls Club, educating youth about healthy lifestyle choices
and physical activities.
o The President’s Challenge helps people of all ages, and
abilities, increase their physical activity and improve their
fitness, giving youth the opportunity to express their stress
and frustration through simple work outs.
o Little Earth Lacrosse Program (in partnership with the
Minnesota Swarm) aims to inspire our youth to have fun
playing lacrosse, so they can share their experience and what
the game of lacrosse means to native people and why it is so
important to bring this game and it’s cultural, spiritual and
camaraderie aspects back to our community
o Some of the upcoming opportunities include: Boxing,
Basketball, Cross Country, Archery, Baseball, Softball and
Football

8. Expanding Community
Horizons
Mentorship Program
o We recognize that Mentors play an important role
in youth development and have an established
program that matches positive/healthy adult role-
models with our youth in the Little Earth Youth
Development Center
o Mentors must make a minimum one year
commitment to their mentee and check-in weekly
so as to provide a stable adult role-model in our
children’s lives
o Mentors also have the opportunity to take their
mentee on unique field trips

9. Expanding Community
Horizons
o Arts and Crafts provides the opportunity to be creative, to share
and express emotions and ideas, with or without words.
Discovering that there is more than one right answer, there are
multiple points of view. The arts build confidence; every child can
feel pride in his or her artistic creations.
o The High-Yield Learning Program builds skills and behaviors
needed for school success, providing opportunities to practice
reading, writing, verbal communication, problem solving and
decision making

10. Expanding Community
Horizons
o Juvenile Detention Alternative initiative (JDAI): Little Earth
Youth Services is an approved provider for JDAI. We provide
juveniles across all of south Minneapolis with assistance in
completing orders of the court as well as support with their initial
and subsequent court proceedings. Juveniles are linked to
positive resources in their respective communities during this
process.
o Community Court: we currently host a Community Court at the
Little Earth Residents Association office. This collaboration was
brought together with assistance from a Hennepin County
Judge, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Minneapolis Police
Department, City Attorney’s Office, Adult and Juvenile
Probation, Little Earth Residents and Staff members. Our goal
with this program is to take adults that have been placed on
Little Earth trespass a chance to earn access back into the Little
Earth Community through self improvement and restorative
practices. This is also the mechanism for monitoring individuals
who may pose a safety risk to our communities.

11. Little Earth Youth Staff
•Frank Downwind-Youth Services Director
•Allicia Waukau-Program Coordinator
•Joseph Spears-Boys and Girls Club Lead
•Victoria Johnson-Program Coordinator
•Ryan Broden-Academic Enrichment Coordinator
•Nicole Koenig-Roy-Academic Enrichment
Coordinator
•Andrea Cornelius-Academic Enrichment
Coordinator
•Raphael Peralez-Mentorship Coordinator
•Wahbon Spears-College Navigator