American Indian Team

The American Indian Team at the Behavioral Health Administration empowers and nurtures cultural resiliency and equity for healthier American Indians, their families, children, communities and Tribal Nations living in Minnesota.​

The team focuses on providing resources and developing policies for American Indian families, children, communities and Tribal Nations within Minnesota through authentic and cultural engagement with American Indian partners.

The team works with the American Indian Mental Health Advisory Council & the American Indian Advisory Council (Substance Use Disorder).

Grounding Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that we are located on the traditional land of Indigenous people that once, and still is, occupied by the Ojibwe, Dakota and other Native peoples from time immemorial. These lands hold great historical, spiritual, cultural and personal significance for these Native nations. We recognize, support and advocate for the sovereignty of these nations in this territory and beyond. By offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm tribal sovereignty and will hold ourselves accountable to the American Indian people and nations.

Grants & Applications for Tribes and Tribal Communities

Tribal Provider/Human Services Referrals

  • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Human Services:
    • Nett Lake: (218) 757-3295
    • Vermilion: (218) 753-2347

  • Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Human Services:
    • (218) 879-1227
    • Toll Free: 888-888-6007
    • Advocacy Crisis Line: (218) 348-1817

  • Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Human Services:
    • (218) 475-2453

  • Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Human Services:
    • (218) 335-8382 or (218) 335-8303
    • Toll Free: (866) 216-7245

  • Lower Sioux Social Services & ICWA Center:
    • (507) 697-8680

  • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Behavioral Health Services:
    • (320) 532-4163 or (320) 532-7773
    • Toll Free: (800) 709-6445, ext.7773

  • Prairie Island Indian Community Family Services:
    • (651) 385-4245 or (651) 267-4027

  • Red Lake Nation Chemical Health Programs:
    • (218) 679-3995

  • Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Behavioral Health Clinic:
    • (952) 496-6164

  • Upper Sioux Community Pezihutazizi Oyate Social Services:
    • Direct: (320) 564-6319
    • Mobile: (320) 226-2267

  • White Earth Nation Behavioral Health:
    • (218) 983-3286

How is BHA organized?

  • The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is an administration of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS helps provide essential services to Minnesota's most vulnerable residents and works with many others, including counties, Tribes and nonprofits.
  • The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) consists of the following areas:
  • The BHA American Indian Team provides technical assistance, nurtures mutual collaborations and supports data collection and analysis that contributes to creating a new system and policies that work towards positive and sustainable systemic changes for American Indian families, children, communities and Tribal Nations within Minnesota.

BHA American Indian Team Staff Members

Contact the American Indian Team at American.Indian.Team.DHS@state.mn.us

  • Christine Renville: AI Team Manager
  • Michaela Seibert: SUD Team Supervisor
  • Vacant: SUD Policy Lead
  • Michelle Preuss: Administrative Tech Specialist
  • Isabel Vielman: SUD Grants and Contracts 
  • Pam Hughes: SUD Grants and Contracts
  • Ashley McKenzie: Harm Reduction Grant Manager
  • Whitney Johnson: Mental Health Policy Lead
  • Perry Moore: Traditional Healing Grants
  • Micah Nickey: 1115 Traditional Healing Waiver Lead
  • Kathleen Preuss: Mental Health Grants and Contracts
  • Char Green-Maximo: Mental Health Grants and Contracts
  • Vacant: SOR & OERAC Grants and Contracts

DHS Links

Immediate Assistance: