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Founding Members

Our Leadership

Founders

 

Visionary, Dedicated Leadership

A man in a black hat and jacket speaks into a microphone, holding a feather in his hand.

 

Nathaniel Taylor

 

Co-Founder

 

Nathaniel Taylor is a Red Lake Band member from the Ponemah and Red Lake communities. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in American Indian Studies from Haskell Indian Nations University and his Master’s Degree in Tribal Administration and Governance from University of Minnesota Duluth. He co-founder and current Director of the Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program in Red Lake. He played an instrumental role in developing the Red Lake Elder Advisory Committee and it is his dream to see the next seven generations of leaders fluent in the Ojibwe language practicing ancient traditions and ceremonies.

A woman with a microphone speaks to an audience, wearing a black jacket over an orange shirt and a beaded necklace.

 

Sylvia Fred

 

Co-Founder

 

Sylvia is a member of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and from the Yokayo and Guidiville Pomo Indians of California. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in American Indian Studies from Haskell Indian Nations University and her Master’s Degree in Tribal Administration and Governance from University of Minnesota Duluth. She works for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Grant Writing Department and provides support to the Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program in Red Lake.

A man smiles warmly for the camera, wearing a red shirt with traditional beadwork.

 

Sam Strong

 

Co-Founder

 

Sam is a Red Lake Band member from the Little Rock Community.  His father and grandmother are from Red Lake and Little Rock, MN on the Red Lake Nation. He graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY with Urban and Regional Studies and a minor in American Indians Studies. He is co-founder of the Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program and Red Lake Entrepreneur Program. He is the current Red Lake Nation Tribal Secretary.

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Wesley Jourdain

 

Co-Founder

 

Wesley is a Red Lake Band member and from the Little Rock community. He obtained his Associates of Arts in Liberal Education from the Red Lake Nation College. He’s worked with the Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program as the English Literacy Specialist and is currently working for the Red Lake School District as the Ojibwe Language and Culture Teacher. His language and culture work extends throughout the Red Lake community.

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Linda Bedeau

 

Co-Founder

 

Linda is a member of Red Lake Band of Chippewa, a mother and grandmother.  She received her Master Business Administration (M.B.A.) Health Care Administration - Magna Cum Laude from University of Mary - Bismarck, ND. She served in the Military: Naval Reserve (Intelligence w/high level security clearance). She is the Deputy Health Systems Administrator, GS-670-14 as the acting CEO capacity & Administrative Officer. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Red Lake Nation Tribal College teaching Business.

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Elizabeth White

 

Co-Founder

 

Elizabeth White is from the Red Lake community and has family ties throughout all four Red Lake communities. She is a Red Lake Band member and is Co-Founder of Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program in Red Lake. She is currently the Communications Specialist for Oshkiimaajitahdah. She completed her coursework towards Early Childhood Education from Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, MN. She has been serving the Red Lake community in many capacities surrounding language and culture, and community outreach for several Red Lake projects. 

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sahkahtay@redlakecharterschool.com

1-218-368-6209

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Alex Kmett

 

Co-Founder

 

Alex is a Red Lake Band member whose grandmother was originally from Ponemah, MN on Red Lake Nation. He holds a Master of Arts in Indigenous Education at Arizona State University, where he was awarded the Eagle Spirit Award from the Heard Museum. He has taught at University of Minnesota Morris and Fond du Lac Tribal Community College. He is a longtime collaborator at Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang Immersion Academy, and is a co-founding parent of the Gookonaanig Endaawaad language nest. As a father, he raises his children to be first language speakers of Ojibwe.

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Naomi Long

 

Co-Founder

 

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.

A man wearing a red shirt with the logo 'Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Club' smiles in front of a colorful graffiti wall.

 

Thomas Barrett Jr.

 

Co-Founder

 

Thomas Barrett Jr. is a Red Lake Band member and is the current Executive Director of Red Lake Boys and Girls Club and provides after school programming that focuses on youth expression. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies. He is a Hip-Hop artist and founder of Motherland Block Party, Hip-Hop festival. His work in Red Lake has always centered around the youth, Anishinaabe language, culture and positive change.

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Jeffery Lagou

 

Co-Founder

 

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.

A woman with a warm smile sits on a porch step, wearing a gray shirt and colorful earrings.

 

Elizabeth Strong

 

Co-Founder

 

Elizabeth Strong is a Red Lake Band member from the Little Rock Community. Her father and grandmother are from Red Lake and Little Rock, MN on the Red Lake Nation. She is the founder of the Waasabiik Ojibwemotaadiwin Immersion Program. She holds a Master of Arts in Intercultural Youth and Family Development from University of Montana and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, NC. She is the Training Coordinator for Ombinindwaa Gidinawemaaganinaadog (formerly Red Lake Family & Children Services). She is a Certified Indigenous Vinyasa Yoga Teacher certified through Native Strength Revolution.