Ombishkaa
The Ombishkaa Initiative includes providing comprehensive services, information and resources that support the stability of Indigenous men and women who have experienced incarceration. The Ombishkaa team welcomes and transitions in new and current community members in the program to help them acclimate back home and to the community. The Ombishkaa Initiate empowers community members with resources to continue with stability to move them along their healing journey to become more self-aware of how intergenerational trauma impacts their lives and how to move toward self-sufficiency.
Ombishkaa Men's Reentry Program
The Reentry program is available to Men who have been released from Prison within 6 months or have a current commitment to the MN Department of Corrections.
We are also initiating our Pre-release Coordination and encourage introduction of our Program to those still incarcerated that will be returning to the Bemidji, Leech Lake, Red Lake or White Earth area within one year.
If you or a loved one feel that they may qualify, feel free to contact Donald Fairbanks (218) 370-9036.
(NWICDC 1819 Bemidji Ave N./ Bemidji, MN 56601)
Communication is also available via JPay.
We focus on 5 aspects that are essential to recovery from recidivism: Culture, Family/Community, Housing, Transportation and Employment/Education.
“Change your thoughts, change your lifestyle and the World will change around you.” Miigwetch
Women's Reentry Program
(Gidanishinaabekwenaaneg Ondaasagiwewag)
Bringing our women home.
1819 Bemidji Ave. N suite 1, Bemidji MN. 56601
Who we serve is Native American Indigenous women returning home from the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee and surrounding county jails who are seeking employment, recovery, family reunification, education services, stabilization, housing resources. We are able to work with women who have experienced Incarceration, ICWA cases, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence and have peer support services to provide trauma informed care.
Safe harbor advocacy support.
Upon becoming a member with Ombishkaaikwewug program we complete intake and receive a care coordinator to help navigate resources you will need to re enter into the community.
Our mission is to help our community become self sufficient. Our culturally competent teachings will help heal ourselves and our relatives to live the Bimaadiziwin(The good life)..
We have ZOOM meetings on Monday at 1p.m. & Tuesday at 5p.m. Thursday 3pm and Friday 3pm every other week. Topics change over time.
(Contact Coordinator for meeting information)
We want you to have the best and overall experience with your journey of life as you transition home.
We want your time with your children well spent & family reunification efforts are our highest priority with reintegration. Beading for art therapy, women’s talking circles & culturally inspired focused groups for the ladies. We are in the works of more crafting & ICWA focused circles to come as we are in this pandemic and are very limited to services at this time.
Contacts: natasha.kingbird@nwicdc.org (218)759-2022 ext. 117 Care Coordinator/ Women’s Re-Entry Lead Coordinator rose.heinonen@nwicdc.org (218)759-2022 ext. 117 Recovery Navigator