Staff

Jaycee Anderson (Ojibwe-Métis) is a descendent of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, in what is now North Dakota. She was born and raised in eastern North Dakota in the Red River Valley, growing up in the countryside near Manvel. Jaycee attended the University of North Dakota and graduated in the fall of 2023 with her degrees in American Indian Studies and English. While in college, she became a McNair scholar and began working for UND’s Upward Bound program and discovered her passion for youth work, especially in fostering connections with Indigenous youth. She credits much of her success to her family, her advisors, Birgit and Crystal, as well as UND’s TRIO staff. Jaycee moved to Minneapolis in 2024 and is so excited to be working at MIGIZI doing what she loves! She is also a proud auntie, sister, and daughter - spending as much of her spare time as she can with her family.

Haŋ mitákuyepi. Eileen Bass is MIGIZI’s Community Archivist. She is currently pursuing a double major in anthropology and English at the University of Minnesota. Eileen has a background in digital archiving, youth work, urban Native research, creative writing, and studying and teaching Dakota language. Her tribal communities include the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, the Mvskoke Creek Nation, and the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma, where she is enrolled.

Shane Brink was born and raised in Southeast Minnesota, having lived in Owatonna, Austin, and Rochester. He moved to Minneapolis in 2003, where he attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Shane is Migizi’s newly appointed Academic Support Specialist. Prior to joining Migizi’s circle, he worked at South High school as an Associate Educator, where he supported Indigenous youth through the All Nations Program. He has worked as an Education Support Professional for Minneapolis Public Schools for the past 8 years. Shane has a strong appreciation for the outdoors and spends much of his free time canoeing and kayaking throughout Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. He is excited to bring both his professional experience and his passion for nature to CLAW’s Water Sovereignty Summer Programming.

Kija (Kai-yuh), ᏥᏍᏚ is from the Cherokee Nation, and of Mexican and Red Lake descent. From the Aniwodi (Red Paint) Clan, she spent most of her formative years in these Minneapolis streets. She is an avid enjoyer of obscure lost internet media and retro kaiju films. In her spare time, she likes to read and paint. You’ll probably see her out and about at community events or on the theater stage. You might recognize her as “Mysterious Indian with sage #1” As the media assistant for First Person Productions, she helps prepare curriculum about photography, filmography, and digital art through an Indigenous lens.

Teklu was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska for the Crow / Frog Clan of the Tahltan Nation. He is of Tahltan, Deg Xit’an, Polish, and Irish descent. In 2022, he graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, earning a BFA with a focus on Creative Writing and the Performing Arts. He has worked variously as a Peer Mentor, Teaching Artist, Community and Event Organizer, poet, rapper, and actor, Interdisciplinary Writer, Multi-media Artist, and Indigenous Rights Activist. ​ “I strongly believe in the unique and inherent value of each individual as a community member and in the power of creativity as a healing means to learn about the worlds within and all around us, and the interrelationships that exist between them. I am grateful to join the MIGIZI Circle and look forward to contributing to the organization’s rich legacy of Indigenous Youth Empowerment.”

Tedi Grey Owl is a citizen of the Haudensaunee Seneca Nation - Heron Clan. Tedi is currently the Academic Intern Specialist for MIGIZI. Tedi has worked to provide academic and cultural support for Indigenous students in urban and suburban school districts in the Greater-Minneapolis & St. Paul area for three decades.

My name is Cyrus Andress Hernandez(He/Him) and our family history comes from the stories passed down throughout generations of migration, farming, exploration, and resiliency. While my upbringing has centered on finding my way forward through experiences and storytelling. My family's Indigenous roots come from the Mayan people of Chiapas Mexico. The Chichimeca. I have a deep care for wildlife, nature, and preservation efforts which stems from my living environment and what I have learned/inherited from my grandmother, she is descendant from a healer practiced in medicinal plants. By practicing reflection on my actions, deeply listening to understand intention, holding accountability to myself and others, and listening to the rhythm of the seasons with my body. I'm resisting urgency while centering a curiosity and appreciation of our planet and relatives. I care deeply for our woods and wildlife while encouraging sustainable practices, as well as diversity focussed efforts to better our communities in practice. Especially for our youth and future generations to come. Practicing a relational world view that's important to me because it reflects the same values I’ve learned growing up- like being in right relationship with all living things: from each to one another, the earth with all her beauty, and our plant relatives. I am still finding my style, voice and leadership to this day. While some of my slowness is just a part of who I am, much is because I've been displaced from my land and my blood relatives. When I am in the presence of wisdom, whether that comes from youth or elders, I see pieces of myself and my story reflected back to me in a brilliant light and I yearn for more of those moments not just for myself but for other youth/students. I believe education comes from practices and our elders more than it does from just institutions. I’ve experienced flawed educational systems which demand one style, one speed, and success or failure approach. I’ve grown to learn that isn't the way for children from families of color to learn and find joy through educational efforts. I am a slow and thoughtful learner who values tending to the emotions and feel of the group. I want to use this opportunity to slowly learn more about Migzi and the practices of relational intergenerational learning in leadership, economic justice, and educational support. I see myself growing into more responsibilities and am excited to serve as a supporter for our program leads and Native Youth.

Hinhan Loud Hawk is Oglala Lakota and was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He moved to Minnesota in 2012 for school and has worked as a graphic designer and artist photographer and dabbled in film editing. He has extensive experience working with youth and enjoys sharing what he knows about traditional Lakota culture. His hobbies including creating new artwork, reading, and spending time outdoors. He and his wife are the parents of three daughters.

Binesikwe Means was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is an enrolled citizen of the Oglala Lakota Tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and a descendant of the White Earth Nation . Her name Binesikwe (Bi-Nay-See-Kway) is from the Ojibwe language meaning “Thunderbird Woman ''. Binesikwe has a deep love of storytelling because it is who we are as indigenous peoples, it's how we passed on our traditions and languages for generations. She is passionate about creating the next generation of storytellers. She has worked for MIGIZI for five years as Lead Media Instructor for First Person Productions, a youth led social enterprise that produces videos, design work and social media campaigns for small businesses and nonprofits. ​ Binesikwe was recognized for her hard work, dedication, and mentorship as Step Up's Supervisor of the Year for 2022. This prestigious award is given to supervisors who have gone above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience for their Step Up interns, who nominate deserving supervisors. Binesikwe’s mentorship and dedication shows her commitment to being youth-centered and equity driven. She develops incredible relationships and creates safer spaces for these talented students. She is committed to connecting the students to the community and fostering the next generation of storytellers. Binesikwe empowers these students by allowing them the space and opportunity to become their authentic selves. She has continually nurtured the development of American Indian youth.

Danielle is a citizen of Red Lake Nation and was born in Minneapolis, MN. Also known as Zequan Equay (Spring Lady), Danielle is a mother of four boys and a grandmother of six. ​ Currently serving as MIGIZI's administrative assistant, Danielle is the first point of contact for any and all inquiries about our organization. She graduated from Normandale College with a degree in Human Services and is continuing her education, working towards a Master's Degree in Social Work. She is a certified Suicide Prevention Counselor with a passion for helping others. Danielle's interests are in education, equity, and inclusion. ​ She currently resides in Minneapolis and loves to travel, try new foods, and meet new people. Her favorite activities include spending time with her grandchildren and being a connoisseur of films.