Mr. Griffin has been a pioneer in Minnesota Human and Civil Rights. He became St. Paul's first African American Sgt, Captain and Deputy Chief of Police. He has long term of service with Mn. Education and School Boards, the Human Rights Commission, the Minn. Historical Society and only the 2nd Black high school and college basketball Officials traveling throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. In 1999, "Chief" was first Black College Offical ever inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame. He recently completed his Autobiography and Life's Story. Diversity has been, interviewing, video-recording and filming many of these events as part of an upcoming early African American Historical Documentary.
Anne M. Dunn
Anne Dunn
As an Anishinabe/Ojibwe Grandmother, Anne has truly walked and continues to walk many paths. Like many native American children Anne has experienced life on and off the reservation. Her experiences have led her to be a long-time advocate of protecting Mother Earth and her environment as well as improving the way we educate our children. She has worked as a licensed practical nurse with Indian Health Services in South Dakota, served as a correspondent and feature writer for numerous Native and Non-Native newspapers. (including News from Indian Country and the Circle) She's a professional Storyteller, Radio commentator, Playwright and Childrens Author with Grandmothers Gift and When Beaver Was Very Great both receiving much acclaim. Her list of Human and Social Justice concerns seem endless and crosses all cultures: Early teen pregnacy and youth education, prisons, abused and battered women, spiritual healing, alcoholism, and mental health.
Louis "Bud" Lawrence
Bud Lawrence
Bud and Prairie Island (Dakota) Spiritual Leader Amos Owen are considered the "Fathers of the Mankato Reconciliation Movement" which has been held annually in Mankato since 1972. This movement began as an attempt to facilitate healing between Native and European people and to begin making amends for some of our Nations past "wrongs and injustices" in our American History. In 1958, Bud and Amos began a lifetime of friendship that continued until Amos' passing in 1990. Together they worked toward overcoming the historic fear that native people had about the city of Mankato. This fear originated with the execution of 38 Dakota warriors in Mankato on Dec.26, 1862 (largest single mass execution by our U.S. Govt. in our nations history). Bud is of Norwegian/German ancestry, raised on a farm near Kasson, Mn and graduated from Kasson H.S. in 1949 and has been a Mankato Businessman, Church and Community leader for over 40 years. Bud and Amos' friendship paved the way for numerous reconciliation efforts to include: Native (Dakota) education in Mankato area schools and MSU, 1st annual Mankato Pow Wow(Wacipi), Mdewakaton club, the Dec. 26 relay run and honoring ceremonies, the Winter warrior sculpture and the 38 Ton Buffalo monument built & dedicated on the execution site in 1997.
