Focus Area: Early Childhood

Grant Amount: $10,000

Located in St. Paul. Opened in 2014, MAICC offers Ojibwe and Lakota specific programming to the children of Native families on St. Paul’s east side. MAICC has earned a 4-star Parent Aware rating. MAICC is recognized nationally for its grow-your-own educator training model, employing community members to teach and lead. They are currently co-located with Knox Presbyterian Church.

Grant supports opening a second Children’s House and doubling the number of children served. MAICC’s Children’s House program is an indigenized Montessori early learning environment for children ages 3-6 that integrates Association Montessori International (AMI) standards with Ojibwe and D/Lakota culture and language for cultural relevance and is led by American Indian Montessori-trained teachers. Children’s House operates year-round with a full-day schedule and supports early childhood development through a range of intentional, culturally grounded practices.