In honor of Women's History Month, we have invited leaders in community development to share their story with our Duluth community. This week we are featuring LeAnn Littlewolf!
LeAnn is the Executive Director of American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) a long time partner of LISC Duluth. She has been with AICHO for 6 years, in economic development, before returning to AICHO and becoming Executive Director in 2023.
How did you get started in community development and what brought you to your current organization?
I started in community development in grass roots organizing in my community on the Iron Range. I learned that we can create community-generated solutions or steady practices that move change and counter community deterioration or stagnancy. Through my years of work, I have been lucky to work with many community members invested in change and I have learned a great deal about healthy community development. As an Anishinaabe woman, it is an honor and a gift to be able to work at AICHO, a nonprofit that has created so many culturally-based strategies to offset economic and racial disparities.
What challenges have you faced, as a woman in community development, and how have you overcome them?
As an Indigenous woman in community development, I have faced this situation where development partners have not understood my full skill sets and sometimes undervalued the ability to engage community to tap into their full agency and ability to dream, build, and ultimately impact the world. I change this dynamic by creating spaces where people are fully valued and their input has weight. I feel like we have to keep pushing to change our approaches to community development to included more people and to value what they bring.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have recieved?
When I was in college and really hungry to learn about grant writing, I visited with Dan Anderson at Fond Du Lac Tribal Planning. He told me to never be afraid to show people my work and to never take offense at feedback. He said to really think about the insights they share and see if it can strengthen the work. At the end, we want a collective effort to create the best work possible. My sister Nevada always reminds me "Focus on the work", meaning never lose sight of our purpose, which is to drive change and build capacity.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
As the Executive Director of the American Indian Community Housing Organization, the best part is and always will be working directly with community members. I believe that together we are actively building our commitments to each other and lighting this fire that we have the greatest potential and ability to create a new future. I love my people and I love my community.
Are there any particular women leaders in your community whose stories or accomplishments you think deserve more recognition?
Hannah Smith, Kaitlin Walsh, Jamie Adams, Cayla Belanger DeGroat, Senator Jennifer McEwen, Kristene Piasicki
Thank you, LeAnn, for all you do for the Duluth community!!