Oyate Leadership Network (OLN)

Program Overview: OLN is a facilitated learning community that welcomes Native relatives into programming emphasizing traditional ways of knowing as a guide for navigating the world and shaping leadership identities. Rooted in Indigenous lifeways and thriving in relationship with self, community, and land.

Belief Statement: Tiwahe Foundation believes that cultural lifeways and leadership skills can be developed through facilitated experiences and applying traditional ways of knowing.

Program Goals

• Develop mental strengths and abilities through facilitated experiences and applying traditional ways of knowing
• Foster active participation in independent and reciprocal relationships through skill-building and communication exercises
• Instill a sense of belonging and good-naturedness through community-building and empathy-focused initiatives
• Provide opportunities for sustaining healing and growth through ongoing support and resources

Indigenous Leadership Defined at Tiwahe

Indigenous Leadership is the learned application of a dynamic worldview that values reciprocal, mutualistic relationships and traditional ways of knowing as critical tools, wisdom, and knowledge for personal, professional, and community decision-making. It means uplifting the strengths and gifts of each person's spirit to be confident in their abilities to self-actualize and be in community together, walking in a good way with all relatives in creation on the pathways of life.

OLN Native Values-based Tools

Synthesized from lived Native experiences and stories:

• Problem Solving
• Mind-set and Emotion check-in
• 444 Peacemaker Solutions
• Different Viewpoints Framework
• Oyate Voices

2026 Summer-Fall Cohort Program Details

Cohort Dates (In-Person):

• July 11–12
• August 8–9
• September 5–6
• October 10–11
• November 7–8

Schedule:

• Saturdays: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Sundays: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Overnight Commitment:

• All cohort members must plan to arrive Friday and stay through Sunday
• Lodging reserved for Friday and Saturday nights near session location
• Check-in Friday afternoon; check-out Sunday morning before sessions
• Required to stay overnight to be fully present mentally, emotionally, and physically
• Limited flexibility available for local members who prefer to return home overnight (discuss case-by-case)

Location: Minnesota, with focus on Twin Cities Metro area

Financial Support:

• Paid to Participate: Financial support provided as gesture of respect for time, commitment, and leadership
• Mileage reimbursement provided
• Lodging accommodations provided
• Contact foundation with questions about level of support

What Participants Experience

• Cultural Embodiment: Engage with traditional ways of knowing and stay grounded in Indigenous lifeways
• Skill Development: Refine skills through immersive learning experiences
• Community Building: Be in relationship with self, others, and the land while connecting with fellow alumni and LinkingLeaders partnership network (Native, African American, Latine, and Asian communities)

Program Evolution

Committed to evolving pathways for ongoing growth, including:

• Digital learning management system development with Minnesota Humanities Center
• OLN Knowledge Seeding through conferences, panels, and professional trainings:
  • Dakota/Ojibwe Language Symposium
  • Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference
  • Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations Conference
  • Minnesota Evaluation Association Panel – Indigenous Evaluation

Indigenous Change Theory

Connecting Indigenous peoples to cultures, values, and languages fosters transformative wellness that ripples throughout family and community circles. Cultural knowledge is built and shared over time through community care, honoring interconnection and power to restore traditional pathways of knowledge for future generations.

Vision: A future where communities are vibrant and equitable, recognized as essential voices in global dialogue on wellbeing, connectedness, and leadership.

Evaluation

• In-room Indigenous evaluator (Advance Consulting)
• Digital surveys
• Custom Indigenous evaluation rubric
• Insights from Intergenerational Advisory Council (IAC)
• Continuous feedback and refinement

Advisory Structure

Intergenerational Advisory Council (IAC): Comprised of Native elders, adults, and youth from diverse Tribal backgrounds across Minnesota who contribute to shaping Indigenous Leadership programming by sharing insights, perspectives, and recommendations on community issues.

Influencers & Collaborators:

• LeMoine LaPointe, Sicangu Lakota
• Susan Ninham, Red Lake Ojibwe
• Linda Eagle Speaker, Blackfoot Confederacy
• Travis Bush, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate/Mohawk Nation
• Tiwahe Foundation's Wisdom Council and Board of Directors

How to Apply

Application Status: Applications opening soon for 2026 Summer-Fall Cohort

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be Minnesota resident
• Must be alumni of AIFEP and/or OLN (past iterations of the network/cohorts)

Application Process:

1. Wait for opening announcement (coming soon)
2. Complete application form
3. Submit application by deadline
4. All applications reviewed after closing deadline
5. Applicants notified via email with next steps

What to Expect After Applying:

• Confirmation: "Thank You" message confirming submission in browser
• Application Review: Review begins after closing deadline; allow time for careful consideration of each submission
• Follow-Up: Contacted via email with next steps once review complete

Financial Commitment:

• Paid to Participate: Financial support provided
• Required to stay overnight (Friday and Saturday nights)
• Mileage reimbursement and lodging accommodations provided

Contact for Questions: Baswewe Gayle, OLN Director: [email protected]

Reach out to get involved or ask questions about the program.