(Bemidji/ White Earth Ojibwe Nation) Years of AAI Service: 17

Debra Warren grew up in the town White Earth, MN on the White Earth Reservation. She is enrolled in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. She was taught by her elders, Josie Ryan taught her beadwork, leather, feather work, and shawls. Francis Keahna taught her how to weave black ash baskets and birchbark baskets, along with picking sweetgrass. Deb taught Ojibwe art to K-12 for ten years on the White Earth Reservation and surrounding communities. She enjoys weaving the Hopi Gods Eye and the Spiral Gods Eye. She always enjoyed using vibrant colors in her artwork when she taught Ojibwe art. She feels that if you are going to put that much effort into your work, then why not make it eye-catching? Deb is a long-time member of the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council.

(Red Lake/Red Lake Band of Ojibwe) Years of AAI Service: 10

Dr. Delana Smith, Red Lake Nation, has held the title, Miss Indian World 2004. She holds a doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership from St. Cloud State University, and is a principal at Deer River H.S.. Dr. Smith has served on Region 2 Arts Council’s Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Council since 2012. (Red Lake/Red Lake Band of Ojibwe) Years of AAI Service: 10

(Ponemah/Red Lake Band of Ojibwe) Years of AAI Service: 6

Mary Ringhand (Red Lake Band of Ojibwe) has been an arts appreciator her entire life. She is the daughter of Maguerite Frieda Ringhand and James W. Ringhand. Mary is an engaged community member, having served in an advisory capacity on a range of boards and councils in our surrounding area. Mary appreciates art’s capacity to bring purpose and positivity to our lives. She is always ready with an engaging story about her life and many adventures or a bit of humor to share with those around her. Ringhand is a graduate of Bemidji State University. She serves as a Tribal Court Judge for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

(Ponemah/Fort Peck) Years of AAI Service: 6

David Ben White (Oglala Lakota, Fort Peck), has been involved in drawing and sketching since his earliest memory while growing up in the Montana Children’s Home in Twin Bridges, Montana. He remembers drawing the artwork for the newsletter at a very young age. White is Oglala Lakota and an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Reservation at Wolf Point, Montana. His interests in painting, sketching and drawing continued throughout his high school years as he entered and displayed art in his community. He continues to develop his art daily in multimedia visual arts, including acrylic painting, pastels, sketching, cartooning, wood burning, carving, found object creations and more.

(Bois Forte/Leech Lake) Years of AAI Service: 1

Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks (Bois Forte/Leech Lake) began her pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Psychology at Bemidji State University in the Fall of 2022. She is an artist, and comes from a family of artists. In February 2022, Shawna received 1st place in Watermark Art Center’s Poetry Slam. As part of her prize, she was invited to participate in the BlackBerry Peach Slam competition in Minneapolis. Additionally, she was invited to participate in a 1-month Do it Yourself arts residency in Rochester, MN. As a former foster youth, Shawna has been a Foster Youth Advocate/Leader since 2019, testifying in the MN House of Representatives in March 2022. Shawna is both community and solutions oriented, helping LGBTQ2S+ foster youth find more resources while in foster care and while transitioning out.

(White Earth) Years of AAI Service: 1

My name is Lori Dakota. I’m an enrolled member of the white earth band of Ojibwe
I’ve been beading for many years. I started to learn in grade school and pretty much self taught. I love learning new techniques and patterns while beading. I’m a grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren that I enjoy completely. I grew up in Minneapolis and moved to White Earth at 20 when I was a new mom. I have one daughter that I was blessed with. Art has always been a huge part of my childhood and it’s still a big factor in my life today. I like to use bright, colorful colors that make my work stand out. Besides beadwork I’ve also done water painting, leather work and some sewing projects that I love. I was honored to be part of the Arts council, and I will continue my journey in this area as long as possible.