Maada’ookiing celebrates five years of Native-led grantmaking

The Northland Foundation is pleased to share that eight individuals were awarded a total of $39,200 in Maada’ookiing grants for the winter 2026 funding round.

Maada’ookiing (“the distribution” in Ojibwe) is a Native American-led program of the Northland Foundation. Grant funding up to $5,000 is offered three times per year to Tribal citizens, descendants, or those who have kinship ties or affiliation to Native American communities within the foundation’s geographic region.

“This month, we celebrate five years since Maada’ookiing came online,” stated Michelle Ufford, Northland Foundation’s Vice President of Grantmaking. “We are deeply grateful to Northland Foundation trustees who, back in 2019-2020, set out to expand support for Indigenous people, to the Native-led design group who gave the idea structure and shape, for the Maada’ookiing Advisory Board who guide the program, and funding partners.”

“Most importantly, thanks must go to grant recipients. Their vision and tenacity transforms modest dollar amounts into truly impressive projects,” added Cayla Bellanger DeGroat, a Program Office at the foundation who has worked with Maada’ookiing for nearly four years.

The Northland Foundation introduced the Maada’ookiing program in May of 2021 and awarded the first grants to Native American individuals that summer. Since then, a total of 132 grants and nearly $440,000 have supported an array of community- and culture-building activities across the region. In 2022, the Northland Foundation received a Mission Award in Responsive Philanthropy (YouTube video) from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for Maada’ookiing. The program has only grown in impact since then.

“This is work that creates more vibrant communities today while honoring the teachings and lifeways of our ancestors, and it is an honor to be part of that,” Bellanger DeGroat concluded.

Application deadlines to apply for a Maada’ookiing grant are May 15, September 15, and February 15. Find information and the application link on Northland Foundation’s website.

The most recently awarded Maada’ookiing grantees and their projects are listed below.

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Ginew Benton, Ely: $5,000
To support a Native-led film production in Ely.

Winter Cloud, Cass Lake: $5,000
To support a series of workshops teaching Ojibwe youth the traditional art of moccasin making.

Karen Savage-Blue, Sawyer: $5,000
To support an art exhibit and community art event focusing on traditional Ojibwe food sources such as mahnomin (wild rice) and bizhik (bison).

Jonathan Thunder, Duluth: $5,000
To showcase and support a Native-led short film shot in Duluth.

Cassandra Losh, Deer River: $4,200
To support a series of community gatherings for women focused on positive parenting and leadership skills through Ojibwe language, culture, and traditions.

Kristine Piasecki, Duluth: $5,000
To support a Native-led art installation and community gathering that reimagines nightlife and social connection through sobriety, creativity, and Indigenous resilience.

Wendy Savage, Duluth: $5,000
To support a one-day workshop with book readings and a writing exercise featuring Native authors.

Daniel White, Duluth: $5,000
To support a multiple-day workshop on crafting traditional hand drums and drumsticks and connecting with cultural traditions.

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