Resources

2022 - 2023 Ramsey County Cold Weather Plan for Unsheltered Residents

November 1, 2022

Energy Department Announces $35 Million To Deploy Clean Energy on Tribal Lands and Power Unelectrified Tribal Buildings

As the nation kicked off its month-long celebration of Native American heritage today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy announced $35 million in new funding to promote Tribal energy and economic development.

Under two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) aimed at unlocking the benefits of clean energy for Native communities, we will award a total of $35 million to Indian Tribes to:

Deploy clean energy technology on Tribal lands (DE-FOA-0002774) — applications are due February 9, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.
Power unelectrified Tribal buildings (DE-FOA-0002771) — applications are due February 23, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.

These FOAs build on the important discussions at last month’s 7^th biennial Tribal Clean Energy Summit, where U.S Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm held a nation-to-nation roundtable with Tribal leaders to share ideas and explore cost-effective approaches to clean energy that strengthen Tribal energy and economic infrastructure, address climate resilience, and build stronger and safer communities.

“DOE is dedicated to reducing energy costs in Tribal communities and ensuring they are not left behind in the transition to a clean energy future,” said Granholm. “The President’s Agenda is making investments in low-cost and reliable clean energy across Indian Country—helping to power Native communities that too often are left in the dark or without affordable electricity.”

For additional information about these new funding opportunities, see the full DOE press release and the Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunity Exchange.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Juhl; 612-358-5733

BWSR Accepting Applications for Clean Water Legacy Partners Pilot Program

Minnesota tribal governments, nonprofit organizations eligible for grants that benefit water quality

November 17, 2022
St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Water Legacy Partners Pilot Program, a new initiative that seeks to protect, enhance and restore water quality throughout the state. Eligible applicants are tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
“These grants offer new opportunities to accomplish important water quality protection or restoration work,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “We look forward to seeing the results from these partnerships through this new pilot program.”
A total of $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund is available to each of the two eligible applicant groups. Grant requests must be between $25,001 and $250,000; a non-state match of at least 10%, provided via cash or in-kind services, is required. The grants can be used for a wide range of conservation activities including urban stormwater practices, agricultural best management practices, shoreline stabilization projects, well sealing and public engagement efforts. Read more about the program in BWSR’s Snapshots newsletter.
The application period opens today and closes Feb. 15, 2023. For more information on how to apply, see the program’s Request for Proposals on BWSR’s website.
About the Minnesota Clean Water Fund Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008 to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The Clean Water Fund receives 33 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by the Legacy Amendment. More information about the Clean Water Fund is available here.

FASD Clinic Care Coordinator
Part-Time, Non-Exempt 0.75 FTE (30 hours/week)
Salary Range: $52,000-$55,000

About Us
Proof Alliance, formerly the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, is a nonprofit based in Minnesota focused on the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and the support of all impacted by FASD. Our mission is to eliminate disability caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to improve the quality of life for those living with FASD throughout Minnesota. The Proof Alliance FASD Diagnostic Clinic conducts FASD diagnostic evaluations for patients ages 2-17.

Additional Information
Proof Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and highly values a diverse work environment. Proof Alliance offers a family-friendly, work/life balance office environment, and a complete benefits package that includes: generous vacation and sick time off, medical & dental insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, life
insurance, dependent care and health FSA, and an IRA. The selected candidate must be able to pass a background check for violence offences and offences against vulnerable populations.
To Apply
Please email Jennifer Stieve, Director of Finance & Administration, at jennifer.stieve@proofalliance.org your resume and a couple of paragraphs on why you’re interested in this position.

The National College Match

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach? The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. Learn more here.

American Indian Tuition Waiver: Morris

Policy Statement

The University of Minnesota, Morris will admit American Indian students qualified for admission free of charge for tuition, as mandated in federal law and state statute.

Students with American Indian heritage are admitted to the University of Minnesota, Morris on the same basis as other students. For the purposes of this tuition waiver, American Indian is defined as:

an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation;
a direct descendant of a parent or grandparent who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation; or
a direct descendant of a tribally verified member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation, other than parent or grandparent.

Find full policy information here: Policy | American Indian Tuition Waiver: Morris (umn.edu)

Additional information: Native American Student Success Program (NASS) | Student Life (umn.edu)

Front Line Worker Pay Act

The Minnesota Legislature passed the Frontline Worker Pay Act. The Act authorizes $500 million in bonuses to be distributed among workers in 15 occupational categories. These workers have to meet certain requirements, the most basic requirement being that these workers could not work remotely a minimum of 120 hours between March 15, 2022 – June 30, 2021. The Department has created and regularly updates a web page devoted to the Act. Here is the link to the Frontline Worker Pay Act web page:

https://frontlinepay.mn.gov/

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has been designated as the lead agency to develop a program for distributing these bonuses, assisted by the Departments of Employment and Economic Development and Revenue. As part of this effort, the Department is hosting a series of educational webinars. The first three webinars are focused on providing resources to community nonprofits that serve stakeholders that come under the advocacy banner of your Council.

Below is a link for community nonprofits and their customers to register to attend one of the planned webinars. We are asking your Council to forward these links to your community partners.

Webinar: Frontline Worker Pay applicant assistance for organizations | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (mn.gov)

In My Shoes

"In My Shoes" is performed by a young cast of actors (11-17 years old) who genuinely took the message of this play seriously. They want to be a part of helping teens and youth of color like themselves know how to support a friend who is struggling with mental illness. During our 9 week summer program many of the youth learned about theater and acting for the first time. During the program they learned about other topics that are part of the story, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, self-harm, and how to access resources for help. They learned the importance of accurate representation of Native people and all communities in the media to help transform the media landscape into diverse stories that represent their community. I hope you feel as excited as I do to watch this story and celebrate the work of these young actors. The film is available on YouTube for free on our channel @ikidofiresema

https://youtu.be/hPhfO1s2a04

Hearing Aid Assistance in Minnesota

Starkey Cares is a corporate social responsibility program dedicated to giving back to the local community.

Starkey Cares can help acquire state-of-the-art hearing aids at no cost. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please email Liz Sweet, Starkey Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, at starkeycares@starkey.com or call (800) 328-8602 to learn additional details about the program.

Participants must be able to meet the minimum qualifications outlined below:

Documented hearing loss
Demonstrated financial need
Minnesota resident with ability to attend an in-person fitting

Multicultural Retailers Toolkit Available in English/Spanish/Hmong/Somali

The State of Minnesota is vaccinating all Minnesotans who are ages 16 or older. However, the State is still prioritizing workers in the following work sectors: E-12 educators, food processing plant workers, agricultural workers, airport staff, childcare workers, correctional settings, first responders, food production, food retail, food service, manufacturing, public health workers, public transit, and United States Postal Service workers.

If you and your business are part of this priority group: thank you. Multicultural retailers and grocery store workers have served a critical part in keeping our communities healthy and fed even during this pandemic. We are reaching out to business owners to ensure they have the resources to make a plan on how to vaccinate workers and make sure that all staff know how they can obtain their vaccines.

Flyers with information on getting a vaccine, and vaccine concerns and recommendations available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.

Governor's Office: Apply for appointment to a board or commission

Apply for an appointment to a state board or commission! The Governor and Lt. Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. State boards and commissions do important work that includes protecting the public, licensing and regulating professions, and advising policymakers. With over 100 boards and commissions covering topics from architecture to the zoo, there are hundreds of opportunities annually. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website. For questions about the process or how to get involved, please contact gov.appointments@state.mn.us.

WE ARE HIRING! - Cultural Resources Specialists

Resumes are being accepted for the position of MIAC Cultural Resources Specialists. We have (1) Dakota Cultural Resources position and (1) Ojibwe Cultural Resources position. Please send your resume to either your Tribal Leader or shannon.geshick@state.mn.us on behalf of the MIAC Board. Open until filled.

Job descriptions:

Dakota position here.
Ojibwe position here.