Press Release | July 22, 2025
Maada’ookiing grants support eight projects that strengthen Native culture and traditions
Up to $5,000 each awarded to Native-led grantees throughout the region
The Northland Foundation is pleased to share that eight individuals were awarded a total of $39,500 in Maada’ookiing grants last month.
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. Maada’ookiing grants are considered and approved by the Maada’ookiing Advisory Board.
Since the Northland Foundation began making Maada’ookiing grants in 2021, over 110 grants and more than $330,000 have supported dozens of community- and culture-building activities across the region.
“Grantees are turning modest amounts of funding into widespread learning, healing, accomplishment, and joy,” said Cayla Bellanger DeGroat, Program Officer at the Northland Foundation. “Every successive round of funding only confirms that Maada’ookiing is a worthwhile investment in community well-being.”
In that knowledge, and with adequate grantmaking resources on hand, the Maada’ookiing Advisory Board voted to add a “pop up” grant opportunity this summer. Applications are open through July 30, 2025, and up to ten grants may be awarded during the special round.
The next regular deadline to apply for a Maada’ookiing grant is September 8, 2025. Find information about the program and application on the Northland Foundation’s website under Grant Funding at https://northlandfdn.org/grant-funding/maadaookiing-grants/.
The recently awarded Maada’ookiing grantees and their projects are listed below.
Laura Winter, Duluth: $5,000
To support an informative historical session and project demonstrating Native American Great Lakes applique ribbon skirts and the sewing applique process.
Ruth Porter, Orr: $5,000
To host online beadwork classes and gatherings that reduce isolation by bringing socialization and learning to people in their homes.
Savannah Pemberton, Cass Lake: $4,500
To host beadwork classes that promote cultural knowledge and community in Leech Lake District 1.
Tashia Hart, Duluth: $5,000
To support the creation of a feature film and TV pilot screenplay based in the Duluth Native American community.
Jonathan Thunder, Duluth: $5,000
To support the production of a short film shot and based in the Duluth Native American community.
Sarah Agaton Howes, Cloquet: $5,000
To support a canoe and waterway navigation training and cultural reconnection to Anishinaabe canoeing on the Fond du Lac reservation.
Devon Northbird, Bemidji: $5,000
To support the creation of traditional ribbon skirts and shirt graduation regalia for the class of 2026 at North Woods High School near Bois Forte reservation.
Caitlyn Taylor, Duluth: $5,000
To support a collaborative intergenerational art workshop that promotes healing and connection through language and cultural teaching.
Applications for grant funding can be submitted online at any time through the Northland Foundation’s website. The typical submission deadlines for each of the three grants rounds are February 15, May 15, and September 15. However, the next deadline to apply for a Maada’ookiing grant for summer funding has been moved up to September 8, 2025.