Nazhike-awaasang (Misizaaga’iganing Ojibwe), comes from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe located in Central Minnesota. Born and raised on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation where he spent time learning from his grandparents about Ojibwe Life.  He is a lifelong student of Ojibwe language & culture.

 

He has studied at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Central Lakes College, UMD, UofM Twin Cities, Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona Tucson and the Native Governance Center.  He has received certification from the Native Nations Institute, the Blandin Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and White Bison/Wellbriety.

 

He has facilitated activities at the Tribal/State Relations Training relating to Ojibwe Language & Culture, Treaties and Federal Indian Law.

 

He has served as the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe from 2017-2020. He led the effort rebranding the local Tribal DNR to incorporate cultural knowledge and language as a Natural Resource. He currently serves as the Director of Tribal Relations for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources where he coordinates the Tribal Consultation process. 

 

He runs a small business called Wenji-bimaadizing Media that oversees websites, podcasts, merchandise production and video production. He is a parent of Ojibwe immersion students and works in the community as an advocate for immersion education. He performs Ojibwe Ceremonies in many communities in the region. He is also a 2022 Bush Fellow with a focus on Organizational Leadership and Technological Resources for Language and Culture.  When he is not working in the tribal government as an advocate for Anishinaabe rights to language, education, spirituality and harvest, he spends time with his family.