Board of Directors
JOY PARKER, Chair
Joy Parker, The Jacobson Law Group – jparker@thejacobsonlawgroup.com
Joy Parker is an Indigenous midwife and attorney. Joy belongs to the Abenaki people and her family has called south Minneapolis home since the 1950’s.
Before attending law school in Arizona, Joy served communities across the state of Minnesota as a midwife. In addition to providing primary reproductive health care in largely rural settings, Joy served as president of the Minnesota Council of Professional Midwives for eight years, was appointed by the Attorney General to serve as chair of the Midwifery Advisory Council to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and served by Governor appointment on the Minnesota Executive Healthcare Reform Taskforce. Joy worked as a legal fellow with the National Council of Urban Indian Health in Washington, D.C. and has provided legislative testimony and worked collaboratively to shape policy at both the state and national level addressing healthcare disparities.
Joy joined the Jacobson Law Group as an attorney after serving as law clerk for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Joy’s law practice is focused on all manner of governance issues facing Tribal governments and Native organizations, with an emphasis on Tribal sovereignty and reproductive justice.
Summer Blaze Aubrey
Summer Blaze Aubrey, Water Protector Legal Collective – summerblazeaubrey@protonmail.com
Summer is a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Descendant of the Blackfeet Nation. Summer is an attorney barred in the State of Arizona that specializes in the international human rights and Indigenous Peoples. Currently, she is a staff attorney at Water Protector Legal Collective. Previously, Summer was the staff attorney at the International Indian Treaty Council. She received her J.D. and legal masters (LL.M.) from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, both with certificates in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy.
Charles Ferrell, Secretary
Charles Ferrell, Faegre, Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP – charles.ferrell@faegredrinker.com
Charlie is a retired lawyer after 43 years with Faegre Drinker Riddle Reath, where he served as a partner and in various leadership roles, including as a member of the Management Committee and as Diversity Partner. Some years before he joined the MIWRC Board he did a pro bono legal project for MIWRC. In the course of the project Charlie’s eyes were opened to the issues that are addressed by the essential services that MIWRC provides, and he is appreciating the opportunity to work with the talented and committed team at MIWRC. Charlie’s previous community service experience includes: Twin Cities Diversity in Practice —Co-Founder, Past Board Member, Chair, and Treasurer; Downtown Council of Minneapolis — Past Board Member and Chair; Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization — Past Board Member and Chair; Downtown Circulator Task Force — Past Chair; and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, fka Project Environment Foundation - Past Board Member.
Darin Engelby
Darin Engelby, PCL Construction – ddengelby@pcl.com
I work at PCL Construction in Minneapolis and lead PCL’s Native American, Hospitality, and Entertainment sectors in the Midwest region. I have personally been involved with MIWRC for over 12 years, through assisting in property planning and facility assessments, fundraising, in addition to leading my company PCL Construction’s annual involvement in MIWRC’s family Christmas Giving Tree program. I strongly believe in MIWRC’s mission, along with the impacts they provide for the local community and Indian Country throughout the region.
Deanna Beaulieu
Deanna Beaulieu, Member – odeimini@gmail.com
Mo MIKE
Mo Mike, Member – gqcreeboi@gmail.com