Building community, supporting education, providing a future.

The Naytahwaush Community Foundation (NCF) provides buildings and financial support for a school & community programs located on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota.

About

Naytahwaush Community Foundation has been a community leader in work to develop facilities for the Naytahwaush community in Mahnomen County in Northwestern Minnesota. Our area is majority Native American, and the buildings we own and operate are the central hub of this rural community. We transform systems in our area by providing spaces for key community needs directly in, by, and for, our community members.

The Buildings

NCF leases our facilities to a partner organization, the Naytahwaush Community Charter School, which has seen enrollment growth in the past few years. The school provides local education for our community, easily accessible to our youngest community members.

The buildings are also utilized for larger gatherings in lieu of other community spaces, becoming the nucleus of community life in our area. NCF maintains responsibility for the long-term use and planning of this critical asset, and revenue from the school helps ensure a stream to cover the costs of operating.

Rural communities without centers like this, face a dire future. NCF is committed to ensuring a vital, Native-led resource to maintain the self-reliance of the Native community in Naytahwaush. Our population is 90% Native, and we face a difficult future if we fail to maintain the hub that keeps this community thriving and connected.

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NCF Board of Directors

Ann LaVoy

Enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe; life-long resident of the White Earth Reservation; bachelor Degree in education; Foundation Board member since 2006; former school board member and education committee member; employed by White Earth Tribal Council until retirement.

Mary Tibbetts

Enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe; life-long resident of White Earth Reservation; high school diploma and advanced parent training; Foundation Board member since 2016; former school staff member for student support services; parent advocate.

Roy LaVoy

Enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe; life-long resident of the White Earth Reservation; Foundation Board member since 2006; U.S. Navy veteran during Viet Nam conflict; high school diploma; career technical graduate—general construction; employed in the world of building construction and project management.

David Snetsinger

Enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe; life-long resident of the White Earth Reservation; Foundation Board member since 2006; Bachelor Degree; volunteer service—45 years Twin Lakes Fire Dept, County commissioner, Naytahwaush Community; Council, Disaster Response Red Cross, Red Cross First Aid and CPR Instructor; Retired EMT.

Brent Gish

Enrolled member White Earth Band of Ojibwe; life-long resident of White Earth Reservation; Foundation member since 2006; Veteran—U.S. Army; bachelor and advanced degrees; volunteer with Naytahwaush Community Council, church council member, Indian Education Committee; member, local, regional and national board service; consultant—National Indian Impacted Schools Association; former educator (retired).

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