Donna Ennis for Secretary-treasurer in Fond du Lac Special Election

03/09/2025

03/02/2025

As a licensed social worker I have worked with families my whole career. Empowering individuals, families, and communities is a primary goal of all social workers. Service is the value from which all other social work values stem. Social workers regularly elevate the needs of their communities above their own personal interests and use their skills and knowledge (from education and experience) to enhance the wellbeing of others. In addition, social workers often volunteer their time or expertise above and beyond their professional commitments. Here is a list of some of my volunteer work.

Minnesota Board of Social Work
June 2013 – October 2023
As a licensed social worker, I was governor appointed to the board of social work in 2013. The board’s mission is “Protecting the public through licensing and regulation of the social work profession.” I served on the Legislation & Rules Committee and the Compliance Committee.

Cannabis Advisory Council
I am one of two licensed mental health professionals in the state appointed by the governor to this council. My duties include examining the effectiveness of state cannabis policy, taking public testimony; and making recommendations to the Office of Cannabis Management.

Economic Development Committee
As a tribal member at Fond du Lac Reservation I was appointed to the Economic Advisory Council. The purpose of the Economic Development Committee is to review and counsel the Band's Planning Division on business ideas and proposals. The Planning Division then brings those recommendations to the Reservation Business Committee.

National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
The mission of NICOA is to advocate for improved comprehensive health, social services, and economic well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native elders. NICOA is governed by a 13-member board of directors. representing each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs regions, as well as a representative of the National Association of Title VI Grantees. I was elected to represent the Midwest Region which includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. I am tasked with testifying before the National Congress of American Indians for presentation of resolutions to the appropriate federal government agencies. I am currently the vice-chair of NICOA.

Native Nations Rebuilders
I am a graduate of the two-year, cohort-based leadership training experience for Indigenous changemakers. The goal of the program is to strengthen Native leadership and equip changemakers with Indigenized tools and frameworks they can use to help rebuild their nations.

American Indian Child Welfare Advisory Council.
This council assists the Human Services commissioner in formulating policies and procedures relating to American Indian child welfare services and makes recommendations regarding grant approval. I was chair of the council and represented Duluth Urban Indian Committee.

Mentally Ill and Dangerous Civil Commitment Task Force
I am the tribal representative appointed to this task force. The Mentally Ill and Dangerous (MI&D) Civil Commitment Reform Task Force was established by the Legislature to evaluate current state law related MI&D civil commitments and develop recommendations for changes in the law.

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02/16/2025

Sharing my vision for Secretary-Treasurer position.

02/12/2025

I am out in DC at the National Congress of American Indians. NCAI meets three times a year. This week is their mid-winter session. As vice-chair of the National Indian Council on Agency I, along with Chairman James Delacruz, are cochairs of the elder subcommittee for NCAI. James and I are speaking to Congress about the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. We met with members of the House. Today and tomorrow we will meet with the Senate.

02/12/2025

In response to questions about my experience in finance/accounting I offer this. I was the director of two different agencies that had a multi-million dollar budget. I have a Master’s degree in Tribal administration and governance which included tribal accounting classes. My GPA for this program was 4.0.

02/10/2025

I so appreciate this endorsement from Tashina Perry.

02/09/2025

Many have been asking about my economic plan. I am considering doing something similar to Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures that would oversee our business enterprises. My vision includes diversifying our economy beyond gaming. Making economic decisions that will affect the next seven generations. MCLV has created a strategic plan with a focus on the hospitality industry. I am on the economic development committee for FDL and I believe we have put forward several enterprise ideas but that is all we can do is make recommendations to tribal council. We have talked about an RV park. A bigger idea was a sports arena. Our hotel has nothing for children to do and has been stagnant economically for a long time. Stay tuned for more ideas. Joshua Whitebird

02/08/2025

Engaging with the elderly has always been a passion of mine. I provided end of life care for my father and step mother and will hold those memories close all of my life. When I worked as community center manager I would visit the elders and have coffee as we visited and shared laughs. Many have passed on since that time but the memories are in my heart.

I will be in DC this coming week at the National Congress of American Indians. James Dela Cruz and I will be speaking with Congress about the Older American’s Act. This act was amended to include the provision which addresses elder abuse in Indian Country. Unfortunately, since its inception, there have been no appropriations for this section. Title VI of the Older Americans Act is the only federal funding to provide services to the survivors of the US Boarding School era.

I will always advocate for funding for our Tribes. I believe we need to elect tribal council members who are able and willing to speak to Congress about our needs.