Native Nation Rebuilders Program

A two-year, cohort-based leadership training experience for Indigenous changemakers designed to strengthen Native leadership and equip participants with Indigenized tools and frameworks to help rebuild their nations.

Geographic Scope:

• Enrolled citizens of one of the 23 Native nations sharing geography with Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota), North Dakota, or South Dakota
• OR Enrolled citizens of any federally-recognized Native nation currently living and working in Mni Sota Makoce, North Dakota, or South Dakota

Focus Areas:

• Community engagement
• Movement building
• Wellness
• Indigenized governance practices
• Native nation rebuilding framework
• Leadership skill development

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum age: 21 years old
• Enrolled citizen of eligible Native nation(s)
• Currently living and working in specified geographic area (for non-23-nation citizens)

Program Structure:

• Year One: Development of leadership skills and identification of nation rebuilding approaches in participants' communities. Participants complete modules on self-awareness, nation rebuilding, health and wealth, systems and governing relationships, and sovereignty as a practice.
• Year Two: Implementation of a community action plan with tangible positive impact on Tribal citizens. Examples include community strategic planning, youth empowerment programs, constitutional reform, tribal civics projects, tribal history manuals, and culture-based programming.

What Participants Receive:

• Indigenous-led, values-grounded education
• Learning from Indigenous knowledge keepers
• Cohort networking and kinship building
• One-on-one coaching
• Customized training
• Resources to support action plans
• Hands-on experiences (cultural crafting, medicine walks, etc.)
• Access to network of 200+ graduated Indigenous changemakers from 13+ cohorts

Contact Information:

• Jessica Glidden, Program Manager - Leadership Development: [email protected]
• Nathaniel Ruleaux, Program Coordinator - Leadership Development: [email protected]
• Phone: (651) 571-0826
• Mailing Address: 1730 New Brighton Blvd Suite 104-236, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Background: Native nation rebuilding is the process of moving away from ineffective models of Tribal governance and rebuilding culturally-relevant governance institutions through five elements: sovereignty, transformational leadership, cultural match, strong governing systems, and seventh generation thinking.

Application Process

Timeline: Applications typically open in summer/early fall with deadlines in late September/early October (specific dates vary by cohort)

Multi-Step Application Requirements:

1. Online Application Form
   • Basic demographic information
   • Short essay questions
2. Professional References
   • Select two professional references
   • References speak to applicant's values, character, and goals
3. Employer Support
   • Complete employer commitment form
   • Confirms employer will support participation in program
   • All employment statuses valid (employed, self-employed, not employed)

Additional Information: For detailed process and requirements, visit the "Become a Rebuilder" page on the website.