For National Native American Heritage Month this past November 2023, the American Indian Family Center (AIFC) had the opportunity to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and help give back to the families that we serve in a big way by partnering with the Minnesota Wild Foundation, the Prairie Island Indian Community, and Treasure Island Resort & Casino.
Our staff started the month of November 2023 in a fun way by having the chance to volunteer to put their best face forward in a Minnesota Wild Native American Heritage jersey photoshoot. Every year, beginning on Native American Heritage Day (Friday, November 24), the Minnesota Wild auctions commemorative Native American Heritage Day specially designed jerseys with portions of the proceeds benefiting the Minnesota Wild Foundation and a nonprofit of their choice. This past year, the AIFC had the privilege of being the selected organization to benefit from the proceeds of the online auction. In addition to the jerseys, a one-of-a-kind, custom-designed goaltender mask made for and worn by Marc-André Fleury and a beaded medallion-lanyard were also donated to the online auction by Prairie Island Community Member and artist Cole Redhorse Taylor. $66,605 was raised by these fundraising efforts for the Minnesota Wild Foundation and the AIFC.
The AIFC staff photoshoot model volunteers were surprised with game tickets to attend the Minnesota Wild versus the Colorado Avalanche game on Native American Heritage Day for volunteering their time. The AIFC staff volunteers were also given a t-shirt version of the Minnesota Wild Native American Heritage jerseys in attendance.
Before the start of the game, the Minnesota Wild Foundation hosted a Winter Coat Drive presented by ORORO Heated Apparel for the Youth and families that we serve here at AIFC. Over 200 coats were donated that evening and were delivered to AIFC on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, by Minnesota Wild players, Connor Dewar, Matt Boldy, and Brandon Duhaime.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, AIFC staff spent the afternoon honoring and thanking the Minnesota Wild Foundation, and the Minnesota Wild for their generosity in delivering the winter coat and winter gear donations, provided by the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino, with blankets, and an honoring song by the Imnizaska drum group! Check out the short video below shared by the Minnesota Wild and Securian Financial highlighting Dewar (Metis) as Securian Financial’s Slapstick Salute.
Phidamaya to our partners for giving us this opportunity to give back to our families in a big way!
Click here: https://fb.watch/ps7Ij5BWiS/