American Indian Family Center

American Indian Family Center’s mission is to provide American
Indian families with programs and services enriched by traditional
American Indian values and culture.

Service Areas & Programs

Therapeutic Services

Healing Generations Program: Provides individual, couples and family counseling. Case management and therapeutic life coaching are also services provided in this program.
Any questions regarding Healing Generations Therapy please contact Jessica Gourneau, Interim Clinical Director.

Soogizen Dodem (Strengthening Families): Trauma-Informed family psycho education group that provides education on historical trauma and how to heal through the use of cultural teachings and activities.
Any questions regarding Soogizen Dodem please contact Maria McCoy, Therapeutic Life Coach.

Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi (Our Children Are Sacred) Chemical Dependency Services: Programming provides treatment support and recovery maintenance for American Indian women who are parenting. The support provided includes Chemical Dependency Case Management, Chemical Health Support Group/Parenting Education and Support, FASD Education and Support and Recovery Coaching.
Any questions regarding Chemical Dependency Services please contact Nelda Goodman, Recovery Coach.

Life Coaching: Programming includes a certified Therapeutic Life Coach who assists individuals in discovering their full potential on a case by case basis. Options available to the client include;
Art Therapy: A technique that utilizes creative expression to release blocked emotions and promote healing.
Reiki: Body work that focuses on stress reduction, relaxation and healing.
Hypnosis: technique causing one to go into a light trance allowing them to view problems from a detached state. Any questions regarding Life Coaching please contact Maria McCoy, Therapeutic Life Coach
Employment Services (For individuals residing in Ramsey County Only)

Anukey Partnership: This program provides supportive employment services to American Indian
Families who are on MFIP to develop skills to move towards economic self-sufficiency. Our employment counselors help you to accomplish these goals through Adult Employment training and the following programs;

Job Club: Occurs every Thursday and Friday allowing participants with the opportunity to obtain assistance in building resumes, creating cover letters, performing job search, exploring career options, and the opportunity to improve basic computer skills.
Any questions regarding Job Club please contact Barb Fairbanks, Employment Training Coordinator.

YouthLEAD Project: Targets American Indian youth, ages 16-21, in accomplishing employment and education related goals. The program offers eligible youth access to supportive services, exploration of post-secondary and career options, assistance and resources in obtaining a GED or diploma, resources for occupational skills training, and leadership development opportunities.
Any questions regarding YouthLead please contact Barb Fairbanks, Employment Training Coordinator.
Family & Youth Services (Weekly Support Groups)

Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi (Our Children Are Sacred) Women’s Health Services: Programming provides culturally specific, comprehensive, wrap around services to American Indian women who are pregnant and/or parenting to reduce Infant Mortality rates in Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties.
Any questions regarding Mother’s Circle please contact Colette Lawrence, Women’s Outreach Specialist or Charlotte McDonald, Women’s Health Case Manager.

Ombi’ayaa Anishinabe-Ininiiwug (Rise Up in a Healthy Way Original Men) Father’s & Men’s Group : Provides supportive services to American Indian men to promote a healthy life style through the use of American Indian cultural beliefs. This service provides spiritual, cultural, community and elder connections. The Father’s & Men’s group is a group that is “For the Men, By the Men.”
Any questions regarding Father’s Circle please contact Kerry Benton, Men’s Outreach Specialist.

Wounspe Wawokiya Youth Services: Cultural/Educational groups provided at AIMS, Battle Creek and Harding High School which focus on service learning, leadership and Life Skills. Programming also provided includes the Native Youth Language Project in which youth work on creating websites that are resources for others who are attempting to learn Dakota and Ojibwe Language.
Any questions regarding Youth Services please contact Dezmond Juan, Youth Program Coordinator.