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“I am fortunate that there is such a vibrant and loving Native American community where my family and I live today,” said Takayla. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and teaching her children about the traditions of their tribe. “Though I consider myself fortunate today, my dad grew up during a time when being Native American was really hard and not necessarily something that he or others could be proud.”

Takayla explained that she learned a lot about the cultural and historical trauma that her father and other Native Americans experienced while she studied American Indian History, Human Services, and Psychology at University of Minnesota Morris.

In addition to learning about cultural, historical, and generational trauma faced by Native American tribes and families, Takayla also learned how boarding schools impacted her father and countless other Native Americans throughout the United States. “I was the first generation in my family that did not attend boarding school within the United States,” said Takayla.

Takayla encourages those who do not know much about the history of boarding schools and their impact on Native American tribes within the United States to take the time to learn more on a routine basis and not just during the month of November. “A lot of people think boarding schools are a thing of the past but such schools still exist today. A lot of people also do not realize that Native American tribes still exist today as well. Every day I try to raise awareness on Native issues and advocate for better outcomes. I want to do better for my children and our future generations.”

On behalf of the Training Academy and Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, we thank Takayla for sharing a small portion of her personal and cultural story. We also take this time to recognize the importance of Native American families, children, and their stories of survival.

Please contact our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team via idi@mnchildwelfaretraining.com if you and/or other child welfare workers would like more information about Takayla, her work and/or the American Indian and Alaska Native Employee Resource Group.

Resources

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Native Indigenous Resources

• Dyani White's Hawk: Love Language - Rooted in intergenerational knowledge, Dyani White Hawk’s (Sičáŋǧu Lakota, b. 1976) art centers on connection—between one another, past and present, earth and sky. By foregrounding Lakota forms and motifs, she challenges prevailing histories and practices surrounding abstract art.

• Tribal Training and Certification Partnership's Annual Winter ICWA Conference - An annual gathering focused on strengthening partnerships and supporting Native children and families across Minnesota. ICWA Conference is designed to inspire, connect, and uplift tribal communities and those who support them.

• Owamni - Native Indigenous owned and themed restaurants.

• Birchbark Books - Birchbark Books is operated by a spirited collection of people who believe in the power of good writing, the beauty of handmade art, the strength of Native culture, and the importance of small and intimate bookstores.

Food Bank Resources

• Second Harvest Heartland - Searchable food bank database by county.

• The Food Group - Hunger solutions interactive map.

• Too Good To Go - Local low cost food waste prevention program. Helpful for people with dietary needs and prevents food waste at a low cost.

• North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center - Provides free food and materials for pets/furry friends  just like a food pantry in times of need.

CPSW Resources

• Child Welfare Training Box - Workers can order this tool box for themselves and colleagues.

DCYF Resources

MAAFPCWDA Implementation Update - Consider subscribing to this DCYF mailing list to stay up-to-date on the implementation of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Child Welfare Disproportionality Act.

Vendor Selected to Develop New MAAFPCWDA Curriculum

In 2024, the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA) was passed. An important part of this legislation includes effective workforce training. To that end, the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy brought together the MAAFPCWDA Vendor Selection Committee to name a curriculum developer through a competitive proposal process. After careful deliberation of eleven proposals, Public Knowledge from Lakewood New Jersey was selected to design and build the training curriculum. Work will begin in November 2025 and training is anticipated to begin in April 2026.

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Community Letter

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Thank you to the county agencies and partners who remained patient while the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) navigated the challenges caused by the federal shutdown. The longest federal government shutdown in U. S. history ended on November 12 when the House passed a continuing resolution, which was signed by the president of the United States shortly after November 12.

While the continuing resolution funds most federal government operations through January 2026, some entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are now funded through September 2026.  

State leadership welcomes your thoughts and questions regarding the future of SNAP throughout Minnesota. Please share your feedback with staff via the link below. 

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The inclusion of any third-party products, services, or information does not constitute endorsement by this organization.

Minnesota State Statute 260.69 under the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act requires cultural competency training for all individuals working with African American and disproportionately represented children in the child welfare system. The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy will be providing a monthly curated selection of resources and trainings that can be utilized to satisfy this training requirement while the statewide training is being developed.

Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA), 1711 County Road B West Suite 200N, Roseville, MN 55113, United States | The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) is a collaboration between the Child Safety and Permanency (CSP) Division at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.