Kids Night Out
July 30th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Partnership Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2025
CONTACT: Ruth Buffalo
rbuffalo@miwrc.org
(612) 728-2008
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center and Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Announce New Partnership to Expand Mental Health Services for Native Communities
Minneapolis, MN — The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (RLN) are proud to announce a new partnership, launched on July 14, 2025, to expand culturally responsive mental health services and improve access for Native clients throughout Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro area, home to one of the largest, most diverse urban Native populations in the U.S.
This collaboration pairs MIWRC’s long-standing commitment to healing and advocacy for Native women and families with the Red Lake Band’s deep community roots and health service leadership. The goal: to create pathways for more Native individuals to receive the care and support they deserve, free from stigma and grounded in cultural understanding.
The partnership will focus on reaching historically underserved Native populations, increasing service capacity, and integrating traditional and contemporary mental health practices. By working together, MIWRC and the Red Lake Band aim to close persistent gaps in care and build systems rooted in cultural respect, relational healing, and community resilience.
“Access to mental health care should reflect the unique strengths and experiences of our Native communities. We are proud to partner with Red Lake Nation in creating more opportunities for healing by centering Native voices and cultural practices,” said Ruth Buffalo, CEO and President of MIWRC. “Through this partnership, our client relatives will have access to more providers from Red Lake Nation’s Mino- Bimaadiziwin Wellness Clinic (Mino-B), making it more accessible to get the care they need. In addition, to serving our relatives, we also found alignment via our passion to reduce health disparities and health care inequities through education and training. Mino-B develops and provides trainings for providers serving Native Americans, which has been successful in reducing provider bias toward Native American clients, using tools like the Indigenous Health Toolkit. We look forward to making strides toward stronger, healthier communities.”
“The short half mile distance between Mino-B and MIWRC is prohibitive because it’s plagued with drug trafficking and posed safety risks. It was clear that services needed to be at MIRWC where individuals felt safe and secure, and that providers be available when our client relatives were ready to engage, however we didn't have enough providers to go around,” said Dr. Laurelle Myhra, a Red Lake member and Director of Red
Lake’s Mino Bimaadiziwin (“Good Life”) Wellness Clinic in Minneapolis. “We started our partnership informally in mid-February 2025 in response to the needs of our unhoused relatives, filling 35-50 cots per night. Many of our Native American relatives are unhoused due to a combination of challenges related to lack of affordable housing, and unmet mental health and substance use disorder needs. Mino-B has a successful track record with culturally responsive mental health programing and the recruitment and retention of Native American providers - over 90% of our providers are Native American. Our passion and commitment to serving the Native community led to this important partnership and by merging our strengths and offerings, we are better equipped to serve in a bigger way.”
Programs developed through this partnership will roll out in the coming months, with a focus on accessibility, outreach, and cultural relevance.
About the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center:
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that empowers Native women and families to exercise their cultural values, navigate systems, and heal from trauma through culturally grounded services, advocacy, and community-based programming. To learn more about MIWRC, please visit: www.miwrc.org.
About the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians:
The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized sovereign tribal nation located in northern Minnesota.The Band provides a range of services to its citizens, including education, healthcare, housing, and economic development, guided by a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community well-being. To learn more about the Red Lake Band visit www.redlakenation.org.
About Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center:
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that empowers Native women and families to exercise their cultural values, navigate systems, and heal from trauma through culturally grounded services, advocacy, and community-based programming. To learn more about MIWRC, please visit: www.miwrc.org.
About the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians:
The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized sovereign tribal nation located in northern Minnesota. The Band provides a range of services to its citizens, including education, health care, housing, and economic development, guided by a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community well-being. To learn more about the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, please visit: https://www.redlakenation.org/
Community Talking Circle
Thursday, July 17 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Summer Market
Friday, July 11 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Kids Night Out
Monday June 30, 5:00 pm to 8:00pm
Kids Night Out
May 28 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
This event has limited availability, please call or text Anecia to confirm a spot: 612-919-2802.
Open House
Thursday, May 22 Noon - 4:00 pm
The Shoe Bus Is Coming!
Monday May 5 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Ningodoode Fasting Camp
May 13 through May 17, 2025 at Leech Lake Reservation
Easter Fun Day!
Saturday April 19 from 10:00 am to Noon (12:00 pm)
Kids Night Out
April 30th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Take Back the Night
Thursday, April 17th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Eni-noojimojig Maada'ookiing
We share with our relatives who seek healing
April 11, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Ledger Art Training
James “Bud” Day will present about ledger art.
Thanks for the great response! Session is full, no more registrations are available.
Spring Market
April 25th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
All vendor and artist tables have been reserved. We are no longer accepting RSVPs for tables.
Protect Medicaid in Minnesota- Act Now!
Link to Minnesota Social Service Association website
https://mnssa.quorum.us/campaign/111545/thanks/
Native Survivors Empowerment Group
Every other Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Weekly Resource Connection
Every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Family Night
February 28th 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Kids Night Out
March 12th 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Medicine Bag Making
This event is fully booked. Keep checking our website for other events.
Screen Printing Event
February 12, 2025 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
MMIR March
February 14, 2025 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Empowering Moms Support Group
Every other Friday starting February 21st
Eagle Feather Carrier Case Workshop
Thursday February 27 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This event is fully booked. No more registrations are available.
Family Night
January 31st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Mino-odinaadiziwin
January 19th from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
National Trafficking Prevention Month
January 11th, wear blue!
Domestic Abuse Support Group
For Native Women. January 3rd from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Winter Storytelling
January 8 at 6:00pm
Domestic Violence Support Group for Native Women
Friday December 6th 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Sexual Assault Empowerment Group
Friday December 20th 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Give To The Max Day
November 21, 2024
Community Meeting
November 26 from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm
Winter Market
December 13, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fall Feast
November 25th from 5:00 pm, to 9:00 pm
Traditional Healing
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
November 22nd 6:00 until finished
Winter Clothes Drive
Friday November 1 2024 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Ningodoode “One Heart” Fasting Camp
October 19 - 21, 2024
Fall Market
November 1st 2024 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sexual Assault Empowerment Group for Native Women
Friday, September 27th - 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Maawandoonan Anishinaabe:
Our Plant Relatives
Friday October 18, 2024
Rattle Making Class
October 4th and 7th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
40th Anniversary Celebration
September 16th, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Domesic Violence Support Group
For Native Women, September 13th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Indian Taco and Wild Rice Egg Rolls!
Friday, Sepember 6 10:30 am until sold out.
Community Meeting
Wednesday August 28th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Baby Star Quilt Making
August 19 and 20 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
With Mary Abraham
Legal Information with Bill Niemann
Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sexual Assault Empowerment Group for Native Women
August 30th 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
August 30th 2024 5:00 pm until finished
Traditional Healing
Call for an appointment or with questions: Ombaazhii 612-728-2037 or George 612-728-2031.
Domestic Violence Support Group for Native Women
August 16th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Women’s Luncheon
August 8th and 22nd 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
Bring your lunch and join us! MIWRC will host a women’s luncheon to share time and space with community.
Aabizhiishin
MIWRC’s traditional birthing/healing program
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
July 26 at 5:00 pm
Traditional Healing
contact George for an appointment or questions at 612-723-2031
Community Meeting
July 23 from 5:30 - 7:30
Ashoodenim-zazegaaikewag
“women gathering in good intention”
July 22, 7:00 pm
Mother Wellness is Community Wellness
Visiting Session June 21st at 5:00 pm
Medicine Bag Making
Substance Use Disorder Workshop
June 20th, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Eye Clinic at MIWRC
Eye care services on August 28, 2024 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. There is no charge for services.
Keeping Our Children Sacred
Caregivers Parenting Circle, heal and connect with community through the sharing of knowledge, ideas, tools, and resources.
Healing Circle
For Indian Boarding School Survivors and Descendants
MIWRC and DIW Picnic In The Park
Celebrate Indian Month with us!
Substance Use Disorder Workshop
On June 5, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, we are hosting a workshop on treating and understanding Substance Use Disorder. Contact Zhawin Gonzalez for more information.
Open House at MIWRC
Thursday, May 16 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm we will be hosting an open house.
Native American Curriculum Training
This training is for non-native professionals who work with the at-risk Native American population. Registration form is below the flyer:
NAC Training Flier
We Need Your Support
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Spring Market
Friday, April 5, 2024
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Come join us on Friday for our annual Spring Market. Twenty five vendors have signed up. There will be plenty to see!
