Department of Indian Work partners with American Indian families to revitalize culture, education and wellness.
We provide a safe, Indigenous space to empower American Indians towards self-determination, while respecting cultural and spiritual diversity.
Our Programs
- COVID-19 Community Coordinator: Connecting Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID testing, vaccination, and other resources. Learn more
- Emergency Services: food shelf, clothing closet, and referral services. Learn more
- Diabetes Prevention Services: family education, food demonstrations, youth food education, and community healthy food/diabetes consultation. Learn more
- American Indian Youth Enrichment: after-school and summer programs, providing Indigenous cultural, health and literacy services. Learn more
Get Involved
- Make a financial donation to our food shelf.
- Host a food drive during March FoodShare month.
- Volunteer in our DIW programs.
- Please not: we are currently not able to accept donations of clothing or household items.
DIW Advisory Council
Kelly Miller
Director, Department of Indian Work
Rev. David Street-Stewart
DIW Advisory Council Liaison
Victoria Abraham
Elder, DIW Intake Specialist
John Bobolink
Executive Director, Indian Education St. Paul Public Schools
David Glass / Zhawanuinini
Northwest Zone Manager, Office of Indian Economic Development, Department of Interior
LaVon Lee
Executive Director, Montessori American Indian Childcare Center
Tony LookingElk
Program Officer, Pohlad Family Foundation
Nicole MartinRogers, MPP, PhD
Senior Research Manager, Wilder Research
Sheri Riemers
Chair, St. Paul Indians in Action; Interim Executive Director, Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center
Cris Stainbrook
President, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
“American Indians have some of the lowest graduation rates. But I am not going to let that happen to my kids. I want to make sure they know who they are. And this program does that. The staff here tell the kids who they are. They let them know that they are important and worth it.” —Stephanie Schroeder
By The Numbers
185,467
pounds of food distributed to 2,457 individuals (2020-2021)
552
NEW families served in our food and clothing shelves
578
individuals received stabilizing referrals and resources
73
American Indian students received culturally relevant education support