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BOARD/COMMISSION:  American Indian Community-Specific Board

Address

161 St. Anthony Ave, Suite 919
c/o Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
St. Paul, MN
55103


Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by Ombudsperson

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 3.9216
Enabled: 08-01-2021

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
Jill Kehaulani Esch , Esquire
(651) 643-2523
Membership
All five members should be members from the American Indian community.
Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $0.00
  • Other Compensation: Members do not receive compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred doing board-related work, including travel for meetings, trainings, and presentations.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - no
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - no
Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
The Ombudsperson shall monitor agency compliance with all laws governing child protection and placement, public education and housing issues related to child protection as they impact American Indian children through work with the courts, court officials, policy makers, service providers, social workers, guardians ad litem, and training. The Ombudsperson has the authority to investigate decisions or acts, and other matters of an agency, program or facility via complaints, systems and personnel, or upon personal initiative. The Ombudsperson shall be given access to any information in the possession of any agency deemed necessary to discharge duties. The Ombudsperson may subpoena any agency personnel or documents which the ombudsperson deems relevant to the matter.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Advisory to Ombudsperson and attendance at board meetings
Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: 2 hours
Meeting Frequency: Four yearly board meetings; between 4 to 6 individual community board meetings.

Meetings are held at:
Varies in Twin Cities, as well as Virtual Meetings.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 2080.00
Total Appropriations:
Appropriations Description:
Fiscal Year Expenses:

Expenses Description:

Open Positions (0)
No Open Positions
NAME
POSITION
APPLICATION DATE
ACTION
Deanna Drift
Member
8/9/2021
Ms Melissa Favila
Member
6/29/2021
No pending appointments found.
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
ACTION
Direct Appointments
Board Chair
Staff
Tonya Long
Filled
06/30/2022
Ex-officio - Contact
Staff
Jill Kehaulani Esch , Esquire
Filled
07/01/2025
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council - Executive Director
Executive Director
Shannon Geshick
Filled
05/29/2024
Current Members (5)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Member
Member #1
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors
Ms Melissa Favila
Filled
06/30/2025
Member #2
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors
Jules Edwards
Filled
12/31/2024
Member #3
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors
Stephanie Graves
Filled
01/01/2023
Member #4
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors
Deanna Drift
Filled
12/31/2025
Member #5
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors
Tonya Long
Filled
06/30/2022
ALL BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

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The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer