Featured photo courtesy of the Young Women’s Initiative
A Bemidji State University student was named as one of 32 cabinet members for the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota.
BSU junior Deilyah ‘Asin’ Dexter from Onamia is an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and is working on a degree so she may work with Native youth in education.
“I love working with my community and Native youth, especially,” she said.
“I want to push for reform in education knowing I’m equipped with the right experience and skills to do so. I am honored to be a part of this and excited to work alongside so many people I admire.”
“I experienced a lot of racial tension, micro-aggressions and blatant racist behavior in school growing up,” Dexter said.
“My mom encouraged me to go to Bemidji State and now I want to work with Native youth in education. I want to work within my reservation and encourage Native youth to do better and entertain higher goals. I want them to have all of the resources necessary to be better and succeed.”
The initiative engages young women in high-level conversations on equity, diversity and inclusion through a partnership between the Walz administration and the Women’s Foundation.
