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Tiwahe AIFEP Alum: One Year Later  Follow-up with Lenny Hayes

Lenny Hayes, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, received an Economic Self-Sufficiency Grant in 2016 to help support the Two-Spirit weekly co-facilitation he was conducting at the MN Indian Women’s Resource Center. Lenny participated in planning weekly culturally-specific activities for the group, and supported individual group members. One project featured participants designing a mask to show how they identify as a “Native American” and a “Two-Spirit” person. He also connected with the Minnesota Two-Spirit Society, as well as planned a Native American Community event bringing together over 100 participants to connect, educate and bring awareness of the issues impacting the Two-Spirit/ Native LGBTQ people.

Lenny continues to work locally and nationally to advocate, support and connect with Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ people. Most recently, Lenny was selected to be on an Advisory Committee for the Center of Native American Youth in Washington DC addressing the needs of Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ youth. To learn more about Lenny and his work, visit his website.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” bg_color=”#ffffff” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Oyate Network News: Missy Whiteman

Two-time AIFEP Grant recipient and member of the Alumni Network cohort #2, Missy Whiteman, Northern Arapaho, premiered her film “The Coyote Way: Going Back Home” this month at the Walker Art Center. Missy’s sci-fi docu-narrative follows Charlie, who is forced to choose between joining a Native street gang or going on an epic pilgrimage. The film features an entirely Native American cast, and was shot in the Phillips and Little Earth neighborhoods of Minneapolis. To learn more about Missy and her project, click here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

AIFEP Grantee in the News: Marcie Rendon

Three-time AIFEP Grant recipient Marcie Rendon, White Earth Anishinabe, recently published her debut mystery novel, Murder on the Red River. A playwright, poet and freelance writer, Marcie’s new novel centers around the female protagonist, Cash. In their review, the Star Tribune notes, “Rendon uses the novel as a vehicle for shameful reminders, political and cultural lessons about the devastation that American policies have rained on Indian families and children.” To learn more, read the full article here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]