“You are the leaders we have been waiting for.” A group of 26 rural Minnesotans heard this phrase as part of their Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP) five-day training retreat earlier this month. Participating communities span much of the southern half of Minnesota – from Mille Lacs to Granite Falls to Red Wing – …
On a recent afternoon, about 65 people from reservation communities in northeast Minnesota came together to celebrate the commencement of the 25th cohort to complete the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program. In recognition of this milestone number, a drum was invited to join the celebration and honor the graduates. BRCLP is more than just a …
“For generations in the Redwood area, two very distinct world views have existed in the people who call it home.” — Troy Krause, Redwood Falls Gazette Last month, residents of the Lower Sioux and Redwood area communities came together to talk, listen and plan for a brighter future — one where collaboration and mutual respect …
By Tom Sippola
Today we welcome Tom Sippola, Multi-Media Leadership Assistant at Blandin Foundation. For over 25 years the Blandin Foundation has worked with rural leaders across the state of Minnesota to help build and sustain healthy communities. With over 6,000 Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) alumni, nearly 500 Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP) alumni, and countless …
45 – 10 – 31 This combination does not unlock the untapped potential found in textbooks piled high in a student’s locker. Instead, this string of digits stands in the way of many students’ success. 45 – the percent of American Indian students who graduate from high school 10 – the percent of American Indian …
For Michael Wade, every minute holds the possibility to change a community. “Give me a half-hour, I can help someone move into a new home. Give me an hour, and I can start a food shelf,” says this resident of Virginia, Minnesota, and driving force behind the new Virginia Indian Center, a drop-in center for …