
To raise awareness about stroke and brain injury and enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans coping with it’s sudden and long term effects. We do this through advocacy and public policy, resource facilitation services – which provide personal and one-on-one connection to information and resources, case management, educational and volunteer opportunities, and outreach to underserved and communities of color throughout Minnesota.

Our Mission: Providing education, mentoring and support services that build strong individuals and families in the Northland Community School District.
Core Values:
- Education is an important key to building self-sufficient individuals and strong families.
- Every person has value. We operate out of consideration for each individual’s dignity.
- Strong families build strong communities.
- Healthy families and community systems are essential to supporting sustainable change in individuals.
- We strive for communities in which people are interdependent.
- We collaborate with other organizations that support our mission.
The Northland Area Family Services Center was created as a unique way to give rural access to county and educational services, and to meet community needs through innovative programming. Incorporated in 1996 as a 501C3, we serve the Northland Community School District and parts of Leech Lake Reservation. This is a population of 4,474 people (5.26 persons per square mile). In our service area 20% of households make less than $20,000 and 11.9% or 536 people in our community live below the poverty line.


Purpose: To raise awareness about stroke and brain injury and enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans coping with it’s sudden and long term effects. We do this through advocacy and public policy, resource facilitation services – which provide personal one-on-one connection to information and resources, case management, educational and volunteer opportunities, and outreach to underserved and communities of color throughout Minnesota.
Leech Lake Tribal College provides quality higher education grounded in Anishinaabe values.
LLTC provides classes in seven different associate degree programs, two technical programs, and a variety of continuing and community education offerings. Classes offered Monday through Friday.
Our Objectives
Inter-County Community Council is a non-profit, community action agency that serves Red Lake, Pennington, East Polk and Clearwater Counties. Through varied and multiple programs, Inter-County Community Council helps people to build a better Minnesota. For more information on programs relating to energy assistance, family services, self sufficiency, employment & training and ICCC Head Start, please contact the Inter-County Community Council.
Watermark features four galleries that are free and open to the public, displaying work by regional and national artists. Other amenities include a retail gallery shop and education studio. Watermark presents artist talks, workshops, and education opportunities for all ages, and hosts the annual Art in the Park every July.
Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council (BRIC) is an agency of eleven member school districts that have joined together to provide services in the area of special education. The mission of the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council Cooperative is to ensure the provision of appropriate, comprehensive and quality services to identified children and their families within the member Districts of BRIC in North Central Minnesota.
Bemidji Regional Interdistrict
1615 Nw 5th Street
Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: (218) 751-6622
Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council
Mailing Address
Box 974
Bemidji, MN 56619

Services offered at Oshkiimaajitahdah:
-GED/ABE Education
-Career Development Services which includes job readiness and Driver’s Education
-Financial Skills for Families
-Ganawenindiwag (Cultural Program) “Taking Care of Each Other”
-477 Program: Scholarship Assistance, Tribal GA, and Summer Youth Work Program
-TERO Program
-Certified Nursing Assistance Classes
-Welding Courses
-Childcare Program
-Childcare Assistance under both RLN TANF and Tribal Programs
-Emergency Assistance for Families
-Supportive Services for families to gain employment
-Incentives awarded upon completion of various activities
Oshkiimaajitahdah, which means “a new path” or “a new journey” in the Ojibwe language, is a tribal program of the Red Lake Nation that promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and community with funding, strategic partnerships, guidance, training and technical assistance.
Locations:
OSHKIIMAAJITAHDAH
P.O. Box 416 Redby, MN 56670
Phone: (218) 679-3350
Toll Free: (888) 404-0686
Fax: (218) 679-4317
OSHKIIMAAJITAHDAH BEMIJIGAMAAG
520 4th St. NW Bemidji, MN 56601
P.O. Box 1497 Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: (218) 444-2883
Fax: (218) 444-7597
Since opening in 2003, the American Indian Resource Center, AIRC, has offered academic programming for American Indian reservations and American Indian organizations throughout Minnesota. Because Bemidji State University is located between the three largest American Indian reservations in the State of Minnesota (Leech Lake is 15 miles south, Red Lake is 30 miles north and White Earth is 50 miles west of Bemidji), we have access to a large number of fluent speakers, spiritual leaders, Indian educators and cultural offerings that are all within a reasonable distance to the university. The AIRC is also home to the first Indian Studies program in Minnesota and the first collegiate Ojibwe language program in the world.
Red Lake Elementary School (RLES) and the Early Childhood Center (ECC) is an indescribably amazing and important place! Within these two buildings, over 700 precious young lives spend a good portion of their day! With that in mind, it is very, very important that your child loves school! Truly, there is very little that is more essential than for a young person to have a rich and enjoyable school experience.
Community Education
Community Education at the Red Lake School District #38 provides a Holistic Approach to educational based programming, activities and events. The best interest of the reservation community includes finding ways to utilize the funding which will be inclusive of residents of all ages.
Community Education Youth Leadership
The Leadership portion of Community Education gives students the opportunity to develop skills which will apply to life skills. This includes time management, cooperation in groups, volunteering for projects which enhance the reservation community, job skills and a connection to education through good school attendance.
Students are recruited to assist with the projects that Comedu offers such as the Teen Health Fair, Comprehensive Health Fair, sports events, educational camps, field trips, concessions at the Red Lake High School and collaborative efforts with other programs.
Youth Enrichment
The theory of Best Practice in the educational system means that students are able to learn and enrich their horizons by hands on learning. Along with hands on learning we recognize that Native youth have certain learning styles. As each student has a learning style which may be different, acknowledging and honoring the child and youth enriches their perspective of the educational system. Collaborations with Targeted Services, Home School Liaisons, Comprehensive Health,Chemical Health, Indian Health Services,Oshkiimaajitadah and other programs gives Community Education the ability to provide services to students.
Enrichment projects are also Cultural based, Native American, primarily Ojibwe. There have been several films made by students along with drum making, beading, craft designs. Youth have been encouraged in projects such as Targeted
Service to increase knowledge through hands on learning.
Kloster Park
Kloster Park is a summer baseball/softball program based in Clearbrook, Mn. Both boys and girls 9-13 years of age are eligible to attend. This give students one day per week for eight weeks to meet other youth from the surrounding area. There is
a World Series at Clearbrook which brings together families and numerous communities.
Students who have participated at Kloster Park are eligible to become coaches and/or umpires when they turn fifteen. This is a great opportunity for youth to use this coaching time on their resumes.
Teen Health Fair
Each year on the first Friday of November, Community Education along with numbers of partnerships/collaborators hold a Teen Health Fair at the Red Lake High School.
The Teen Health Fair, an annual event hosts a Holistic approach
to student’s cultural background. There is a host drum which is in the middle of the gym and a variety of disciplines.
Indian Health Services, Comprehensive Health Services, Evergreen House, Chemical Health, Early Childhood Family Education, Red Lake Tribal College, massage therapy, biofeedback, herbal therapy, aroma therapy, diabetes information and numbers of other booths are available as resources and education for students.
Parents As Teachers
Community Education is a partner with the Parents As Teachers program. Parents As Teachers is a curriculum that gives parents the opportunity to learn about being their children’s first teachers. The classes are geared for Early Childhood but can be used for children of any age.
Classes are offered at the Early Childhood center at Red Lake and at Oshkimaajiitahdaa.
Workshops
Community Education has hosted numbers of workshops with themes on Parent Education, Prevention of birth defects, prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome, Parents As Teachers and other related topics. It is the intention of the Red Lake School district to provide educational outreach for the families and reservation community.
55 and over Insurance classes
It is our intention to hold the 55+ classes each year. There are the regular classes and the renewal classes. We have not been able to secure an instructor this past year but are working to continue this service.
Crafts Classes
Crafts classes are held in Ponemah at the Boy’s and Girl’s club. The classes are for adults but the environment at the club helps so that participants can bring children who can then have their own activities. Classes will be blanket making, pillow making and other crafts. Christmas there is cookie making and an assortment of fun give away presents. LIVIT
Community Education is a partner with the Department of Indian Works, Minneapolis which has provided us with a curriculum to teach Sexual Health. Workshops are offered in the Red Lake High School and Oshiimaajitahdaa.
Summer Activities
Summer activities for youth are planned with a number of partners which also include Red Lake Law Enforcement. It is the intent of the district to assist in planning a continuum for a variety of activities during the summer.
Community Education Advisory Board
The Community Education Advisory Board has four meetings per year. The board is a volunteer group and discusses what resources are available for the reservation community.
A.C. Clark Library – Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Dr NE, #28, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-755-3342 / 1-800-860-0234
Open to the public, Semester hours, Closed on Saturday
Bagley Public Library – Lake Agassiz Regional Library
79 Spencer Ave SW, Bagley, MN 56621
218-694-6201
https://larl.org/locations/bagley/
Tuesday & Thursday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Satuday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Beltrami County Law Library
600 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 / P.O. Box 208
Located in the basement of the Judicial Center
218-333-8460
Self-service only
Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bemidji Public Library
509 America Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-3963
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Blackduck Community Library
72 1st St SE, Blackduck, MN 56630
218-835-6600
Tuesday 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thursday – Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Cass Lake Community Library
223 Cedar Ave, Cass Lake, MN 56633
218-335-8865
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cummings Library: Oak Hills Christian College
1600 Oak Hills Rd SW, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-751-8670 Ext. 1299
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kelliher Library and Information Center
Tuesday and Thursday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Margaret Welch Memorial Library
5051 State Hwy 84, Longville, MN 56655 / P.O. Box 106
218-363-2710 / Fax: 218-363-2716
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday & Friday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Park Rapids Area Library
210 First St. West, Park Rapids, MN 65470
218-732-4966
Monday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Pine River Public Library
212 Park Ave, Pine River, MN 56474
(218)-587-4639
Monday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Walker Public Library
203 Tower Ave W
P.O. Box 550
Walker, MN 56484
218-547-1019
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Area Learning Center provides a rigorous curriculum that demands a high level of engagement in academics, positive behaviors, exemplary attendance, social skill building and teamwork, which allows hands-on, project-based, community service projects to connect to real world learning. The MN Graduation Standards are embedded in the curriculum. Students receive instruction in a variety of ways and settings.
- Individualized Instruction: CLPs (Continual Learning Plans) are tailored to meet the student’s academic needs and interests.
- Intensives: Focus on a particular topic covering all academic disciplines for a short, intensive amount of time with a variety of fieldwork in different core classes.
- Adventure/Fitness: Innovative Physical Education Curriculum that focuses on fitness, wellness, and nutrition.
- In-Depth Investigation: Interesting, purposeful, engaging investigation of compelling topics. Reading and writing activities are embedded throughout the board.
- Independent Study: Students many take advantage of a wide spectrum of classes at the ALC by enrolling Dual-Enrolled or Full-Time. This program also offeres Teen Parenting Classes
The Cass Lake-Bena Schools are located on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and proudly serves a student population rich in Ojibwe culture and history. The student body is comprised of 90% American Indian students. Indian studies classes in language, history, and culture are offered to all students in all grades.
Schools include:
- Cass Lake-Bena Elementary School, grades Preschool – 4th
* All day every day Kindergarten, with a 2 year option - Cass Lake Middle School, grades 5 – 8
- Cass Lake-Bena High School, grades 9 – 12
- Area Learning Center, grades 7 – 12 alternative education programs
All schools include:
- Special education services on site, with additional services available through Bemidji Regional Inter-District Council for special education
- In-school small group instruction and after school tutoring programs
- Research-based education methods, including project based learning and grade-specific initiatives
- Cooperative efforts with Leech Lake Tribal College, Bemidji State University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Montana
- Wide variety of activities including sports and arts
- Student support services: on-site counseling, home-school advocates, School Social Worker and School Resource Officer
High School
15308 State Highway 371 NW
Cass Lake, MN 56633
Ph: 218-335-2203
Fx: 218-335-7649
Middle School
15314 State Highway 371 NW
Cass Lake, MN 56633
Ph: 218-335-2203
Fx: 218-335-1194
Elementary School
15 Fourth Street NW
Cass Lake, MN 56633
Ph: 218-335-2201
Fx: 218-335-8538

Wadiswan The Nest
Maternal Child Health Clinic
We are registered nurses that provide support and education through home visits for IHS eligible pregnant women and children up to 3 years old.
- To provide a system to regularly monitor children ages 0 to 21 years old for appropriate growth and development.
- To facilitate the referral of the women and children requiring further assessments and early intervention services.
- Support positive parenting skills.
- Home safety checks to assist parents in their efforts to keep their children healthy and safe.
- Promote traditional parenting practices with role clarifications.
- Provide clinical appointments with health care providers for women and children.
The Blackduck Area History and Art Center (BAHAC) is located at the top of the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway in northern Minnesota. Although some artifacts are specific to this area, we provide a “stepping back in time” experience that can be enjoyed whether you are specifically interested in this area, or history in general. The displays excite children as well as adults, and indeed we feel a special mission to bring the past to life for children.
The co-located TIN PAN gALLErY focuses on giving local artists a place to showcase their works. Featured artists’ shows are generally on display for a month. In between shows there is always an interesting variety of art on exhibit. We have truly fulfilled our mission of providing art opportunities for all ages, as we have featured everything from pre-school and kindergarten art project displays to a special artist show for an artist in her eighth decade.
In the year 2000, the Blandin/Blackduck Visioning Committee began collecting historical memorabilia as part of its 2001 Centennial Celebration planning process. The items collected came from the geographic area covered by the Blackduck School District, a 435 square mile area that includes 13 townships and the cities of Blackduck, Tenstrike, Funkley and Squaw Lake. The need for a permanent storage area for all that had been collected spurred discussions about finding a location to store the items. This evolved to the possibility of an actual history center – a place to showcase and preserve our area’s heritage while educating our young people and operating a key attraction for residents and tourists alike. In January 2005, the Blackduck Arts Council decided to partner with the BAHAC to add an arts component to the proposed Center. Working together, the History and Art Center opened its doors to the public August 19, 2006.
We live in a resort area with unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst our scenic forests, lakes and bogs. Although we are a small town we draw people from a large area. We feel fortunate to have a library, movie theater, bowling alley, golf course, city park, restaurants and some pretty interesting shopping opportunities. People travel for miles to visit and shop at Anderson Fabrics Outlet Store. Nearby attractions include the Big Bog State Park, The Lost 40, Chippewa National Forest campgrounds, Camp Rabideau (the most well-preserved CCC Camp in the nation – a National Historic Landmark) and the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, to name a few. We’re sure you’ll want to visit us soon!
Mission Statement
To preserve materials, objects and data related to our diverse population; to remember the past, live in the present, and educate our youth for the future.
To promote the arts in our community by putting a face on the artists of the area and providing art opportunities for our residents from ages 8 to 80.
Headwaters Music & Arts is an independent non-profit located in downtown Bemidji. Our mission is to provide opportunities for creativity through instruction and inspire the community through music and the arts. We believe that we can further enrich the health and wellness of individuals and the community by offering exceptional music and art education programs and events to all.
Our music program includes one-on-one music lessons on a wide variety of instruments as well as vocal instruction, pre-school parent-child music classes, and music enrichment events. Community initiatives include a senior chorus, bell choir, and monthly open mic nights. Art offerings include pottery for youth and adults, child and teen after school art clubs, and workshops and classes for kids and adults. Financial assistance is available for most youth activities.
- Northome School and the District Office are located in the southwest corner of the district in the town of Northome.
- Indus School is located at the north end of the district in Birchdale.
These schools offer unique opportunities to learn in nature. The experience begins with 80 acres of land that is laced with ski and wildlife trails. This beautiful northern acreage is enhanced by various geographic features such as the Northome School Forest and pond, which attract wildlife year around. The Rainy River location of the Indus School is ideal for students to experience the nature and history of the Grand Mound and the Canadian Shield. Both schools also utilize the Big Bog State Recreation Area and the knowledgeable staff of the DNR.
Technology blends into our efforts to learn “naturally” in the north woods of Minnesota. Both schools provide students with state-of-the-art, technology integrated classrooms and curriculum. The schools give students access to excellent technological devices (computers, tablets, wifi, SmartBoards, weather stations, gps, etc …) in spacious and modern buildings, with a design that is community-based and attractive to students and staff alike. Student to teacher ratios are low and computer to student ratios are high.

With a Whole Family-Whole Community approach, we help individuals and families from birth through the senior years. We are responsive and address needs for finding housing and staying warm, help the unemployed and under-employed find meaningful work, help with health, wellness and family planning, help seniors live independently, help find childcare and provide early childhood school readiness, help in times of crisis and emergencies, provide relationship-based coaching, and help one another give back to our communities.