|
November,
2005
The state
organization, which is an advocate for tribal,
nonprofit and individual American Indian enterprises,
will be among groups cited tonight.
Robert
Franklin, Star Tribune
When Karri Plowman
sees Indian voters, he doesn't see just people who may
influence policies on transportation, health and unemployment
insurance. He also sees future business leaders.
Plowman is executive
director of the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of
Commerce, which has been a leader in a get-out-the-vote
effort for the state's tribes. That effort was
cited as a reason why the Minnesota Council of
Nonprofits will present an award for nonprofit advocacy
to the chamber tonight in St. Paul.
The chamber joined
the nonpartisan tribal voting effort "because we
really believe community members who are civically engaged
become potential entrepreneurs," Plowman
said. "Your business leaders are voters. They care
about their community."
Founded 19 years
ago, the chamber is billed as the nation's oldest Indian
Chamber of Commerce and the oldest continuously
operating ethnic chamber in Minnesota. It represents
tribal, nonprofit and individual Indian enterprises
employing nearly 17,000 people statewide and
its 190 members include non-Indian companies
such as 3M Co. and General Mills, Plowman said.
Plowman, a Paiute
Indian from California, said he and Jolynn Reeves, the
chamber's community advocate, helped win acceptance
of tribal identification cards for voter registration,
helped prevent voter harassment and helped register
first-time voters, including a man who had been a prison
inmate in the 1980s.
The chamber also
promotes tourism as well as Indian businesses, he said.
Assortment
of honored groups
- Jon Pratt, executive director of the Council of
Nonprofits, described Plowman, 30, as "a
dynamic young leader" who has increased the visibility
and clout of the chamber, which is located
in Minneapolis.
- A record 1,200 nonprofit workers registered for
the council's annual conference being held
today and Friday in St. Paul.
- In addition to the Indian chamber, these organizations
have been voted as "mission" award
winners by their nonprofit peers:
- The
Hmong Women's Giving Circle, sponsored by the Women's
Foundation of Minnesota, for responsive philanthropy.
- Admission
Possible, which helps low-income students get into
college, for nonprofit innovation.
- The
YWCA of Minneapolis, which started a racial justice
division three years ago, for anti-racism initiative.
- In addition, MAP for Nonprofits, a management assistance
group, announced these awards for excellence
in principles and practices for nonprofits:
- Project
for Pride in Living (PPL), Minneapolis, in part for
a five-year strategic planning process and
"a track record of transparent management
practices."
- Fergus
Falls Senior Citizens Program, described as the first
Minnesota center accredited by the National
Institute of Senior Centers.
Robert Franklin
612-673-4543
Get the
Star Tribune delivered to your home each day!
Copyright
2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
Feedback | Terms
of Use | Privacy Policy | Member Center
| Company Site | Company Directory & Contacts
| Company Jobs | Advertising Information | Newspaper
Subscriptions & Service | eEdition | Classroom
Newspapers
425 Portland
Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488 (612) 673-4000
|
