Workforce on the reservation

Wigfall discusses workforce development with tribal council.

Catrin Wigfall recently traveled to Minnesota’s Red Lake Indian Reservation to discuss American Experiment’s “Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree” project.

Wigfall is a policy fellow at Center of the American Experiment, where part of her responsibilities include research and writing on lucrative career opportunities that don’t require the traditional baccalaureate degree.

Her presentation before the Red Lake Tribal Council focused on the success the Great Jobs project has had reaching young Minnesotans—and their parents—through a social media campaign that challenges misconceptions of skilled careers. The 11-member Council consists of three officers elected at large and eight council members who represent the four communities of the Red Lake Nation. Seven Hereditary Chiefs, who serve for life in an advisory capacity to the Council, and seven staff members, along with around 20 tribal members, were also in attendance.

“Red Lake Nation’s tribal government is very interested in growing their workforce and filling jobs on the Reservation,” she says.

Red Lake Nation is home of the Red Lake band of Chippewa Indians and consists of 12,000 members. Around half currently live on the Reservation.

Wigfall and Micah Olson, American Experiment’s Greater Minnesota outreach director, toured Red Lake Nation’s Oshkiimaajitahdah (workforce center), which provides career development services for members of the tribe.