This article describes the award by the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Bush Foundation of 24 fellowships to individuals in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and 23 Native nations to develop leadership skills. Some of the awardees are doing work trauma-specific work such as Susan Marie Beaulieu who is teaching ACEs in Native American communities. Others are using the arts, drumming and other culturally-grounded approaches to heal communities. One is a state legislator (not seeking re-election), Kim Norton, who is involved in economic development to benefit the entire community. The Bush Foundation is involved with Native nations rebuilding and has a partnership with the Native Nations Institute based at the University of Arizona.

The Bush Foundation has awarded 2016 Bush Fellowships to 24 people who have shown leadership accomplishments and have “extraordinary potential.”

The annual fellowships are available to those who apply from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and 23 area Native nations.

Those selected receive $100,000, over one to two years, for learning experiences that will "increase their knowledge and develop important leadership skills and attributes, especially in the areas of communications, self-awareness, creativity, cultural competency and cross-sector leadership."

Among this year's fellows are state Rep. Kim Norton of Rochester, who isn't seeking re-election this fall; MPR reporter Mukhtar Ibrahim; and former Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain.

Click here to read the entire article by Joe Kimball. Photo courtesy of the Bush Foundation.