Skip to main content

Board of Directors Home

Board of Directors


Schedule of Board of Director Meetings
2024-2025 School Year

Board meetings will be held the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30pm in person and via Zoom

(Board Meeting for January has been moved to February Monday the 3rd)

Meeting Location:
Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School

2065 HWY 1 West

Red Lake MN 56671

Zoom link for meeting 

Zoom link click here

 

 

Next Special Board Meeting Announcement

Annual Board Meeting

When: Aprin 28, 2025 at 5:30pm

Location: Endazhi-Nitaawiging

Gichi-aya’aa-wigamig (Elders Room)

 

 

Our Leadership


Board of Directors


Visionary, Dedicated Leadersh

A woman with a warm smile stands in front of a colorful barn, wearing sunglasses and a plaid shirt.

Michele Reynolds

Board of Director / 

Community Member

Michelle Reynolds is the MIAAA (Minnesota Indian Area Agency on Aging) Director. Michelle has an educational background in Social and Behavioral Science as well as certification in Tribal Administration and Governance. Throughout her career with Red Lake Nation she has collaborated with Federal, Tribal and State agencies. She is a recipient of 2007 Bronze Smokey Bear Award (Red Lake was the first to create a fire prevention program throughout Indian Country) and also a recipient of 2009 Earle R. Wilcox Memorial Award (which honors individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of Indian forestry and natural resources.) Michelle actively participates in the community whether it is volunteering on a board, being part of a parent committee or attending ceremonies. Her family are the caretakers’ of five horses and of the five; three are Nokota® horses that are available to anyone in the community for equine medicine. She loves spending time with her partner of 17 years, six children, eight grandchildren and her fur baby Michewa.

michelle.r@redlakecharterschool.com

(218)407-7685

 

Portrait of a smiling young woman with long, dark hair in a classroom.

Chelsey Jourdain

Board of Director / 

Teacher Rep

 

Chelsey is an award-winning educator and advocate for Ojibwe language and culture. She currently teaches 5th grade at Endazhi-Nitaawiging, where she integrates Indigenous teachings into her curriculum. A proud member of the Red Lake Nation, Chelsey is dedicated to fostering academic and cultural success for Native students.  Chelsey previously served as the Indian Education Coordinator and American Indian language and culture teacher at TrekNorth Junior and Senior High School. She has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to education, earning the Outstanding American Indian Post-Secondary Student of the Year Award from the Minnesota Indian Education Association and Bemidji State’s Roger Aitken Leadership Award. In 2023, she was named K-12 Liaison of the Year by the Minnesota Indian Education Association for her work supporting Indigenous students and families.  Chelsey finds fulfillment in exploring the natural world with her two children, enjoys activities such as fishing and foraging, engaging a connection to the land and its teachings.

c.jourdain@redlakecharterschool.com

1-2118-368-7346

A woman with dark hair and a warm smile looks directly at the camera.

Naomi Long
Co-Founder/

Board of Director / 

Treasurer

Naomi Long is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Naomi holds an A.A.S in Child Development, Care, and Guidance from the Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN.  In addition, she holds 19+ certifications in relation to Child Development and advocating for families striving to live a positive traditional Ojibwe lifestyle. She is an active participant in traditional ceremonies both in Red Lake and in neighboring Ojibwe communities. 

kwadook@redlakecharterschool.com

1-320-364-3355

A man with a goatee smiles while wearing a black bowler hat.


Jeffery
Lagou

Co-Founder/

Board of Director/Parent

Jeffery Lagou is from the Littlerock community in Red Lake. He is an advocate for children with disabilities both locally and statewide. He is the Co-founder of Red Lake Jiu-Jitzu and has invested his time for positive community youth initiatives and is active in language and cultural lifeways: fishing Camp, Maple Sugar Camp, gathering medicines, ceremonies, sweat lodge, beading and regalia making for summer pow wow dances. 

miskomakwalagou@redlakecharterschool.com

 

1-218-407-5312

A woman with long dark hair smiles brightly, wearing glasses and a green sweater.

Leslie Bellanger

Board of Director / 

Teacher Rep

Leslie Bellanger is currently the 4th grade teacher for the Endazhi-Nitaawiging. She is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Whapeton Oyate Tribe, from the Long Hollow District. Leslie used to dance competitively for the summer pow wows in White Earth every year when in her youth. She has lived most of her life on White Earth Reservation until moving to Red Lake in summer of 2024. She graduated from Bemidji State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Addictions in 2023. She began teaching in September of 2024 as a temporary 2nd grade teacher and 5th grade teacher until being placed with 4th grade for the remainder of the year. She is active in her beadwork and is passionate about cultural arts. She is striving to share the cultural arts with her students and members of the community.

leslie.b@redlakecharterschool.com

218-4015105

 

   

Board Candidate Bios

 

Parent Representative:

 

Victoria Fineday 

Is a community member, a grandmother and a mother to 10 children and 13 grandchildren.  Along with living in the community, she continues to help our community through her work.   Her goal is to become a school board member to ensure our children of our Great Nation receive our Red Lake language, culture and traditions to keep our existence intact.

 

Mark Kingbird

Mark is originally from Ponemah and currently resides in Red Lake.  He has worked with children in many aspects of life from ceremonial, to teaching language and culture.  He has years of experience coaching youth  from elementary to college levels. He is a true believer in our culture, ceremonies and language.  His goal is to see all children flourish with knowledge to be able to carry themselves with dignity and strength of their education.  He would like to become a board member in order to share his knowledge and experience of  both our culture and to help our younger generations be able to have the best education possible.

 

AnnMarie English Defoe 

Received her AA degree and is currently a student at Bemidji State University in the Indigenous Studies program. AnnMarie has years of experience working with children helping her husband coach basketball.  She is involved in cultural activities, attends pow wows, sporting and community events.  Her Goal is to bring knowledge and ideas to help improve our school academically, socially, and spiritually.  She would like to become a board member to be a voice for students, staff and parents, to keep our school safe and make sure our students are getting the best education learning about our culture and language in a safe and secure environment.

 

Bianca Mendoza

Is a member of the Red Lake Nation and the Bear Clan.  Her family does their best to practice language and culture in their home.  Over the years she has learned more through her children as they attend school at both Waasabiik and Endazhi-nitaawiging Charter school.  Her goal is to continue learning and growing alongside the community and to help wherever she can. She carries a strong sense of responsibility to show up, contribute, and to support others.  She would like to become a school board member to be a more active parent and community member.

 

 

Teacher Representative:

 

Chelsey Jourdain

Is an Red Lake Ojibwe educator with a strong background in culturally responsive teaching, Indigenous leadership, and community-centered education. She holds a bachelor's degree from Bemidji State University.  She has vast experience teaching American Indian language and culture and brings a deep understanding of how to integrate Indigenous knowledge with academic standards. She is  passionate about supporting the whole child: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and academically. Her goal is to help shape an educational environment where cultural identity, academic rigor, and student wellness are prioritized.  She would like to become a board member because she believes educator perspectives, especially those grounded in Indigenous knowledge which are essential at the decision-making table and wants to ensure our policies reflect the values and lived experiences of our students, families, and communities.

 

Leslie Bellanger

Comes from the White Earth community and is a Red Lake Resident.  She is currently our 4th grade teacher who holds a license in Elementary Education.  She also has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  Her goal is to become more involved in our school community and help break the cycle of Generational trauma, starting with our youth. She would like to become a board member in hope of learning and helping the inner workings of our school.



 

Community Representative:

 

Nokomis Paiz

Has a history of teaching and working in mental health.  She has a strong belief in what this school can bring to our community.  She would like to become a school board member because of her belief that a school like this is needed for our community and our future.