Gimiwan Dustin Burnette is from Cass Lake, Minnesota and is a veteran Ojibwe language immersion teacher who taught grades K-1 at Niigaane in Leech Lake and grades 3-5 at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute in Lac Courte Oreilles. Gimiwan has been assisting other Ojibwe language immersion programs with curriculum, material, and staff development for several years. He was a recipient of the 2021 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, which he used to develop the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network (MIIN) where he is currently the Executive Director. Gimiwan is also a subject matter expert for Rosetta Stone Ojibwe.
Binesiikwe Edye Washington is bear clan from the Leech Lake Nation and has resided in Duluth, MN for most of her life. She has two beautiful grown children and a 77 pound German Shepard.
Binesiikwe was one of the founders of the K-5 Misaabekong Ojibwe Immersion Program within Duluth Public Schools. During her tenure working in education she has implemented policy changes, developed curriculum and assessments, and provided professional development all from an indigenous lens. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, and reading.
Binesiikwe was one of the founders of the K-5 Misaabekong Ojibwe Immersion Program within Duluth Public Schools. During her tenure working in education she has implemented policy changes, developed curriculum and assessments, and provided professional development all from an indigenous lens. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, and reading.
Ogimaabinesiikwe is sturgeon clan from the Turtle Mountain Reservation. She grew up on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota until her early teen years when her family moved to Hayward, Wisconsin where she continues to reside today. Ogimaabinesiikwe is a former Ojibwe immersion teacher at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute. She is best known for her musical talents and was the Music Director at Waadookodaading for several years. She is also known as “Ojibwe Teacher Lisa” on social media and youtube. Ogimaabinesiikwe has almost twenty years of experience in education. She has been the assistant, the teacher, and the teacher trainer. She truly understands the importance of each role and is passionate about supporting all of them. She serves as the Executive Assistant at MIIN.
Niigaanigwaneb, Byron Ninham is wolf clan and is Oneida and Ojibwe, born within the overcast shadow of the one and only Lambeau Field (Go Pack Go) and raised in Northern Minnesota. For well over a decade, he has been blessed with the opportunity to support and guide Anishinaabe students of all ages as a fellow student, program director, administrator and mentor. Niigaanigwaneb finds his greatest joy in being a father, husband and friend while also helping his relatives deepen their understanding of indigenous languages and culture. He currently resides in Pierz, MN, with his wife, Amy, and three children, Arianna , Waasekamigaabawiikwe, Adeline and Manidoo-Gwiiwizens, Miles.
Zhaangweshi Brooke Simon is Anishinaabekwe from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Zhaangweshi is an Ojibwe language immersion teacher having formerly taught 1st-3rd grade at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute and 1st grade at Endazhi-nitaawiging Charter School. Much of her work has been around Ojibwe literacy education and immersion pedagogy. She currently works as the Adult Education Manager at MIIN.