AIFC Welcomes Back Richard Wright

Richard, also known as Ahndegmakadewizi (Black Crow) is Ojibwe from Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Zhaagaswajimekaag), and a member of the Bear Clan, Pillager Band.

He is a Saint Paul Seminary graduate who has attended the University of Minnesota with a major in Directed Studies, with an emphasis on community corrections. He meets the qualifications for Licensure from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, with thirty-four years as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). He is also credentialed with Minnesota Blue Cross, Minnesota Health Care Plans, Medica, and Hennepin County Chemical Health Programs.

He is retired as the Chairman of the Minnesota American Indian Advisory Committee (MAIC) an advisory board that operates under the Department of Health and Human Services; This includes retirement from the Minnesota Association of Recovery Resources in Chemical Health as a Board of Governors (MARRCH). He currently serves as a Commissioner of the Minnesota State Urban Indian Affairs Commission.

Richard is also a joint member of a Minnesota Limited License Company (LLC) along with associate Rona Mlnarik. They operate a private consultant company that provides culturally specific trainings and spiritual guidance within Minnesota.

He has thirty-four years of working in Substance Use Disorders and has experience in residential care and Intensive Outpatient programs. He is not currently working in this field yet maintains his License as a therapist. He is the author of “The Way of Our People: Weekly Inspiration for American Indians in Recovery from Alcoholism” which can be purchased online at https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/the-way-of-our-people….

If you’re interested in connecting with Richard, he can be reached at Richard.Wright@aifcmn.org or (651) 504-2298.