Gimiwan Dustin Burnette is from Cass Lake, Minnesota and is a veteran Ojibwe language immersion teacher who taught grades K-1 at Niigaane in Leech Lake and grades 3-5 at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute in Lac Courte Oreilles. Gimiwan has been assisting other Ojibwe language immersion programs with curriculum, material, and staff development for several years. He was a recipient of the 2021 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, which he used to develop the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network (MIIN) where he is currently the Executive Director. Gimiwan is also a subject matter expert for Rosetta Stone Ojibwe.
Meet Nicole Cobenais McMahon (Red Lake Nation Ojibwe), MIIN’s newest team member and Director of Operations. She grew up in Saint Paul near the Gichi-ziibi, where she spent her time exploring nature. That natural curiosity she holds shapes how she approaches her work today. She brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and operations, using her curiosity to explore and find solutions, build strong systems, and build authentic relationships.
She has over a decade of district-level community leadership and serves on both the Equity and Curriculum Advisory Committees where she advocates for Indigenous perspectives and culturally relevant opportunities for Native students. She has been the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Chair for the last seven years in ISD 197 (West Saint Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan) where she works with the district to advance equity through collaboration. She also partners with other district’s AIPACs to educate and empower them to be more confident in their own advocacy roles. Curious about AIPACs? Reach out to her!
Nicole lives in Mendota Heights with her family and enjoys hosting get-togethers, playing games, listening to music, and being out in nature taking photos!
She has over a decade of district-level community leadership and serves on both the Equity and Curriculum Advisory Committees where she advocates for Indigenous perspectives and culturally relevant opportunities for Native students. She has been the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Chair for the last seven years in ISD 197 (West Saint Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan) where she works with the district to advance equity through collaboration. She also partners with other district’s AIPACs to educate and empower them to be more confident in their own advocacy roles. Curious about AIPACs? Reach out to her!
Nicole lives in Mendota Heights with her family and enjoys hosting get-togethers, playing games, listening to music, and being out in nature taking photos!
Ogimaabinesiikwe is sturgeon clan from the Turtle Mountain Reservation. She grew up on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota until her early teen years when her family moved to Hayward, Wisconsin where she continues to reside today. Ogimaabinesiikwe is a former Ojibwe immersion teacher at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute. She is best known for her musical talents and was the Music Director at Waadookodaading for several years. She is also known as “Ojibwe Teacher Lisa” on social media and youtube. Ogimaabinesiikwe has almost twenty years of experience in education. She has been the assistant, the teacher, and the teacher trainer. She truly understands the importance of each role and is passionate about supporting all of them. She serves as the Executive Assistant at MIIN.
Niigaanigwaneb, Byron Ninham is wolf clan and is Oneida and Ojibwe, born within the overcast shadow of the one and only Lambeau Field (Go Pack Go) and raised in Northern Minnesota. For well over a decade, he has been blessed with the opportunity to support and guide Anishinaabe students of all ages as a fellow student, program director, administrator and mentor. Niigaanigwaneb finds his greatest joy in being a father, husband and friend while also helping his relatives deepen their understanding of indigenous languages and culture. He currently resides in Pierz, MN, with his wife, Amy, and three children, Arianna , Waasekamigaabawiikwe, Adeline and Manidoo-Gwiiwizens, Miles.
Zhaangweshi Brooke Simon is Anishinaabekwe from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Zhaangweshi is an Ojibwe language immersion teacher having formerly taught 1st-3rd grade at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute and 1st grade at Endazhi-nitaawiging Charter School. Much of her work has been around Ojibwe literacy education and immersion pedagogy. She currently works as the Adult Education Manager at MIIN.