American Indian Family Center’s mission is to provide American Indian families with programs and services enriched by traditional values and culture.
04/09/2026
🪶 AIFC Elder Advisory Council (EAC) invites you to a Pipe Ceremony with Spiritual Teachings on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 4-6PM.
Gitchiayaayag & AIFC Elder in Residence, Richard Wright (Bear Clan, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), will be the spiritual advisor for the pipe ceremony.
Pipe carriers are welcome to bring their pipes.
We’ll have a potluck-style meal.
Please bring a dish to share if you can.
📍 Elders Lodge, 1500 Magnolia Avenue E, Saint Paul, MN 55106
📲 Questions? Please contact Laura Trujillo, AIFC Elder Services Coordinator, for more information at Laura.Trujilo@aifcmn.org or (651) 505-6815.
04/08/2026
Just a friendly reminder that this exciting, new series begins tomorrow morning, Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 10:00AM - 11:30AM @ AIFC - North!
✍ Han/hau, boozhoo, please join us for our new creative writing class "Rooted: A Creative Writing Course Aligned with the Medicine Wheel" beginning Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, led by Jamie Hudalla, AIFC Employment Counselor.
Jamie started as an Employment Counselor with AIFC in July 2024. She has a passion for storytelling and earned her MFA in Creative Writing in 2022. She has taught fiction, poetry, and essay writing at Hollins University and Bethel University. Jamie believes stories have the power to connect us and help us make meaning of our experiences, and she continues to explore how creativity and wellness overlap.
In this series, we'll make meaning of our past, present, and future - not only on a personal level, but a societal one, too.
☁️ April 9 – Exploring Origins
We will explore how the stories we hear shape our identities, and how we can rewrite the narratives of our own lives. Using the Skywoman creation story and poems as inspiration, we will craft our own poems and stories about defining moments in our lives. We will also come away with an understanding of the components that make up a scene.
👪 Childcare is provided, and no previous writing experience is required.
Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch with Jamie Hudalla, AIFC Employment Counselor, at Jamie.Hudalla@aifcmn.org or (651) 793-3803.
04/07/2026
📣 Hau/haŋ, boozhoo! This is our Week-At-A-Glance for Monday, April 6, 2026, through Friday, April 10, 2026.
🗓 Check out our full calendar of events and programs at www.aifcmn.org/events for more information and to register for each event and program where applicable.
04/03/2026
🎉 Please join us in wishing Maria, AIFC Family Empowerment Coach, a very happy birthday!
🎂 Happy Birthday, Maria! Thank you for all that you do for our family and community. We hope you have a wonderful day off!
04/03/2026
✍ Han/hau, boozhoo, please join us for our new creative writing class "Rooted: A Creative Writing Course Aligned with the Medicine Wheel" beginning Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, led by Jamie Hudalla, AIFC Employment Counselor.
Jamie started as an Employment Counselor with AIFC in July 2024. She has a passion for storytelling and earned her MFA in Creative Writing in 2022. She has taught fiction, poetry, and essay writing at Hollins University and Bethel University. Jamie believes stories have the power to connect us and help us make meaning of our experiences, and she continues to explore how creativity and wellness overlap.
In this series, we'll make meaning of our past, present, and future - not only on a personal level, but a societal one, too.
☁️ April 9 – Exploring Origins
We will explore how the stories we hear shape our identities, and how we can rewrite the narratives of our own lives. Using the Skywoman creation story and poems as inspiration, we will craft our own poems and stories about defining moments in our lives. We will also come away with an understanding of the components that make up a scene.
👪 Childcare is provided, and no previous writing experience is required.
Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch with Jamie Hudalla, AIFC Employment Counselor, at Jamie.Hudalla@aifcmn.org or (651) 793-3803.
04/03/2026
📣 Hau/han, boozhoo, good afternoon! Just a heads up that we will be closed this upcoming Monday, April 6, 2026. We hope you and your families have a good weekend! We'll see you on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
04/02/2026
📣 Just a friendly reminder that we have a Community Madoodiswan tonight with Pebaam!
🔥🪨🔥 AIFC Community Madoodiswan (Sweat Lodge in Anishinaabemowin) at Belwin Conservancy (1553 Stagecoach Trail S, Afton, MN 55001) on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with Pebaamibines “Pebaam” Dennis Jones (Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation Anishinaabe/Ojibwe). We’ll go in around 6PM.
Community Sweat Lodges are coed.
Food and to***co are encouraged but not required. Bring your own towel and shorts (for men) or skirts/dresses (for women).
All pipes are welcome!
If you are interested in attending or have questions, please get in touch with Ben Weaver at (651) 504-2264 or Ben.Weaver@aifcmn.org.
🎨: “Teachings of the Sweat Lodge” by Aaron Paquette
04/02/2026
‼️ Due to the winter storm warning, this Thursday’s (04/02/26) Traditional Crafting Group is canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you all stay warm and safe. We’ll see you next week for crafting.
04/01/2026
04/01/2026
🌕 Just a friendly reminder . . . AIFC Waaban Ogimaawag (Tomorrow's Leaders) invites you to a Full Moon Ceremony on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
Who: Relatives who receive their menstrual (moon) cycles or have reached menopause; the ceremony includes Two-Spirit and trans relatives!
Please bring a long skirt, a copper cup, a small bowl, a spoon (extras will be provided as supplies last), a hair bundle*, a watecha bowl (Tupperware, etc.) to take home leftovers, and a dish to share if you can.
*Hair Bundle (optional): Hair bundles are not required to participate but may be offered during the ceremony if desired. To make your own, start collecting loose strands from your brush, shower, or clothes!
We are honored to have you join us during this special time as we hold a ceremony for Grandmother Moon!
For more information, contact Pam Gokey at Pam.Gokey@aifcmn.org or (651) 504-2944.
🎨: Jessica Gokey ()
04/01/2026
🥳 Please join us in wrapping up March by wishing Shaunna (March 28), Tanya (March 28) and Collin (March 30) a very happy (belated) birthday! 🎉
Happy Birthday Shaunna, Tanya and Collin! We appreciate all that you do for our family and our community! We hope you had the best days celebrating you!
03/31/2026
📖 AIFC Elder Advisory Council (EAC) invites you to "An Evening with Heid E. Erdrich" in celebration of National Poetry Month for an author talk with Heid E. Erdrich on poetry and its importance.
Heid E. Erdrich’s 2024 book is "Verb Animate". Her 2020 book "Little Big Bully" won a National Poetry Series award. She is a curator, editor, and teacher. Heid edited "New Poets of Native Nations" and co-edited the 2025 publication "Boundless: Abundance in Native American Art and Literature". Heid is Ojibwe and enrolled at Turtle Mountain.
Scan the QR code in the flyer to participate in JustUS, a crowdsourced poetry project.
This event is free and open to everyone. We hope to see you there!
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The vision of the AIFC is to be the place "Where American Indian Families Thrive," with a mission to provide families with programs and services enriched by traditional American Indian values and culture. This mission is achieved through AIFC’s three focus areas which include Behavioral Health Services, Community Development Services and Family & Youth Services.
Behavioral Health Services: Designed to support all generations with services that focus on behaviors and their impact on overall wellbeing. Our programs provide mental, chemical and behavioral support, case management, and resources. We use a holistic and traditional approach, incorporating healing aspects such as ceremony and traditional practices. Programs include:
Healing Generations: Therapy & Case Management Program
Khunsi Onikan (Grandmother’s Arms): Recovery & Treatment Program
Oshki-Maajitada (New-to Begin Again): Health & Wellness Program
The Dreamcatchers: Children’s Trauma-Informed Program
Soogizin Dodem (Strengthening Families): Families’ Trauma-Informed Program
Community Development Services: The Community Development team work to promote the capacity building of individuals, youth and families. Through the support services of skill-development, education, employment and housing services, these programs provide the community with the tools, resources and opportunities to create economic and systemic changes.
Thinica Owichakiyapi Thipi (Helping the Homeless Build): Housing Program
Zuya Wo Ohiya (Journey to Success): Employment & Education Program
Family & Youth Services: Provides holistic services that promote traditional lifestyles including parenting, peer-mentoring, leadership development, health and wellbeing for all generations. Programs include:
Bimaadiziwin Mikana (The Path of Life): Parent Mentor Program
Ombi’ayaa Anishinabe-Ininiiwug (Rise up Original Men): Men & Fathers’ Health Program
Waaban Ogimaawag (Tomorrow’s Leaders): Native Youth Program
Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi (Our Children are Sacred): Women & Mothers’ Health Program
