Events &
Trainings

Maada’ookiing Virtual Workshops: Learn About the Program and How to Apply

When: A virtual workshop is being offered four different times in April. Choose a daytime or evening session that works best for you. Spread the word to friends and relatives who may also be interested!

• Wednesday, April 15 | Noon – 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, April 15 | 5:00-6:00 PM
• Wednesday, April 22 | Noon – 1 PM
• Wednesday, April 22 | 5:00-6:00 PM

Where: Virtual on Zoom

Who: Anyone interested in learning more about Maada’ookiing and more about how to apply for a grant.

Description: This workshop will provide information and answer questions about the Maada’ookiing Grant Program for Native American individuals and groups, who is eligible to apply, what kinds of things it can fund, and tips to prepare a strong application for consideration by the Maada’ookiing Advisory Board. The agenda will include:

• An overview about the program and how it started
• What kinds of projects it funds
• Who is eligible to apply
• Guidelines to help you prepare to apply
• More about application questions and preparing a project budget
• How to use the Online Portal to apply or submit a final report
• Question and Answer time.

After you register, you will receive an invitation by email with the workshop link.

Thriving Rural Communities: Regional Action Planning

What: Using the Thrive Rural Framework as a guide, the Northland Foundation partnered with the Northspan Group more than a year ago to take a new approach to regional development. We engaged in deep research, developed a robust report, and hosted listening meetings regionally. Out of this process, seven areas for action emerged (read more HERE and HERE). Now we are ready to start moving forward.

Who: Local and regional elected/appointed leaders, economic development and financing professionals, housing organizations, business and community leaders, and anyone curious and eager to get involved

Action Planning Sessions will explore:

• what’s happening and what’s missing in your community,
• who is working in that space now,
• who is not part of the conversation but should be, and
• where to go from here.

County	Date	Time	Location
Carlton County	Tuesday, May 12	10:00 – 11:30 AM	Cloquet Public Library 320 14th St., Cloquet
S. St. Louis County	Tuesday, May 12	2:00 – 3:30 PM	Alworth Building, Suite 300 306 W. Superior St. Duluth
Koochiching County	Thursday, May 28	10:30 AM – Noon	Backus Community Center 900 5th St. Intl. Falls
N. St. Louis County	Thursday, May 28	2:30 – 4:00 PM	IRRR Mineland Reclamation Bldg, 1003 Discovery Dr. Chisholm
Itasca County	Wednesday, June 10	10:00 – 11:30 AM	Blandin Foundation 100 N. Pokegama Ave. Grand Rapids
Aitkin County	Wednesday, June 10	2:00 – 3:30 PM	Aitkin County Board Room 307 N. 2nd St. NW, Aitkin
Lake County	Wednesday, June 17	10:00 – 11:30 AM	Aspirus St. Luke’s Lakeview Conference Center, 325 11th Ave. Two Harbors
Cook County	Wednesday, June 17	2:00 – 3:30 PM	Cook County Higher Education, 300 W. 3rd St. Grand Marais

June Thrive Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health: Knowledge & Networking

When: Thursday, June 11, 2026 | Lunch and Program 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Where: Holiday Inn, 200 W. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802 – lower level ballrooms

Who: Thrive participants and others who work with families with young children such as mental health providers, family support (parenting education, outreach workers, foster care support, etc.), healthcare providers (pediatricians, nurses, doulas) and early care and education professionals

Event Description: We’ll start with lunch followed by the program. Watch for more details to come.

Register: Save the date! RSVP information to be announced.

Funding support provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, Essentia Health, and The Sheltering Arms Foundation