WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag
"They Help Each Other"
A project of the Native American Community Development Institute
About WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO*
*They Help Each Other
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO (They Help Each Other) is a series of gatherings which will center Native voices in the effort to create grassroots solutions to the issues facing the Indigenous community, especially the challenge of creating culturally appropriate and affordable housing, shelter and supportive services. The gatherings will be hosted by the Native American Community Development Institute with the generous support of the Bush Foundation.
History
The genesis of WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO*
(*They Help Each Other)
In the Spring of 2018, a small cluster of tents appeared near Franklin and Hiawatha Avenues in Minneapolis. The encampment grew rapidly over the summer and by September 2018, 300 to 400 people, primarily Native, had taken up residence at the camp. Throughout the Fall the number of tents continued to grow, to over 200 tents.
The Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID) came together with City of Minneapolis leadership, representatives from the County and State and members of the Native community. Together they worked to identify immediate needs and redirect their resources in response. Community allies mobilized to direct outreach and support for the encampment.
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO was created when the Bush Foundation stepped forward to support NACDI, MUID and community allies in this work. The project will examine ways Native people can achieve their self-determined goals successfully, through broad community organizing and engagement process.
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO seeks to create long term strategies to address the issues which contributed to the creation of the encampment. We know that these strategies must be both innovative and community-based if they are to successfully address the historic, systemic challenges facing the Native community.
News and other information on the project
Upcoming Events
Upcoming gatherings hosted by WiiDooKooDaDiiWag/THEO
(In chronological order)
Community Gathering
March 2, 2019, American Indian OIC
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
A gathering of American Indian Community Organizations, Programs and Stakeholders to discuss and gather grassroots-based solutions to Native un-sheltered homelessness. Facilitated by Indigenous Collaboration.
Navigation Center Community Gathering & Harvest
February 1, 2019, Minneapolis Navigation Center
A gathering with members of the Navigation Center community to discuss and gather grassroots-based solutions to Native unsheltered homelessness. Facilitated by Indigenous Collaboration.
Inaugural Gathering & Feast
January 11, 2019, Minneapolis American Indian Center
A gathering of residents of the Navigation Center, City leaders and community residents. The feast kicked off the community-based gatherings to be hosted by WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO. The meal was generously prepared by the chefs of Eat for Equity and a team of volunteers, with food donated by Buffalo Gal (butchered by Sioux Chef), A Dream of Wild Health, Night Owl Farm, PowWow Grounds, Salty Tart, Peace Coffee, Seward Co-op and Co-op Partners Warehouse.
Who We Are
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag is a project of the Native American Community Development Corporation, in partnership with Indigenous Collaborations.
Robert Lilligren
President and CEO, Native American Community Development Institute
White Earth Band of Ojibwe
Carrie Day Aspinwall
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag Project Manager
President/CEO, CDA Enterprises
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Lesley Kabotie
President, Indigenous Collaboration
Crow Tribe of Montana
Paul Kabotie
Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration
Hopi Tribe of Arizona and Santa Clara Pueblo from New Mexico
Camille Gage
WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag Digital Communications
Project Partners
The following are the primary partners for WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO
The Bush Foundation
The Bush Foundation invests in great ideas and the people who power them.
Native American Community Development Institute
Indigenous Collaborations
Indigenous Collaboration, Inc is a Native-owned / woman-owned corporation providing consensus-based consulting services, event facilitation, organizational tools and technologies that support engagement and collaboration. We specialize in efforts and initiatives within Native communities, Tribal governments, and with non-profits, government entities and enterprises doing work with Native populations, that contribute to the well-being of Indigenous peoples.
Contact Us
We hope to hear from you! Get in touch with any questions you might have about WiiDooKoDaaDiiWag/THEO
© 2019