I recently attended the 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. During the opening keynote address, Ryan Vasquez (Executive Director of the Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council) commented on how important it is to develop friendships when you don’t need them. The middle of a crisis, he said, is a lousy time to find out who you can count on.
His comment reminded me of a related statement by Robert Lilligren (CEO of NACDI and then-Chair of the Metro Urban Indian Directors). During Operation Metro Surge, the Native American community collected and distributed literally tons of groceries and other supplies to families who were too threatened to leave their homes. Robert said something along the lines of, “A lot of people see how many supplies we are sending out and think, ‘You guys are really well funded.’ We aren’t. The Native community is severely underfunded. We’ve just gotten really good at sharing resources and getting them to the people who need them. We’ve built a great network.”
I believe both men’s comments underline one of the reasons Minneapolis (and the entire Twin Cities) responded so well and so strongly to Operation Metro Surge.… Read the rest “The Quiet Time for Friendship”
In Honor of George Floyd at the Hennepin History Museum. Photo: HHM
In Honor of George Floyd Through July 31 Hennepin History Museum 2303 3rd Avenue S Pay as you can This installation looks back on the murder of George Floyd and its aftermath more than a half decade later. Set up in a multi-use room with natural light, a selection of visual and audio materials created by community members in response to Mr. Floyd’s murder stands in a semi-circle. Among other things, these objects and artworks can be experienced as a tribute honoring the man whose life was taken, a prompt to reflect on the aftermath of his murder and how it has been carried into the present time, or as local witness to an officially sanctioned act of violence against one Black community member, alongside the added weight it carried because it is representative of so many others. For more information on the installation and for museum hours, visit hennepinhistory.org.
Four Sisters Farmers Market Thursdays through October 11 AM – 3 PM 1414 E Franklin Avenue Free Enjoy fellowship, food, handcrafts and fun at Phillips’ own neighborhood Market celebrating Indigenous pride, health, and well-being. The market welcomes everyone, and SNAP/EBT benefits, Market Bucks, Gus Produce Market Bucks, cash, and cards are accepted.… Read the rest “July ’26 Events”
The Quiet Time for Friendship
from the series Peace House Community Journal…
By MARTI MALTBY
I recently attended the 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. During the opening keynote address, Ryan Vasquez (Executive Director of the Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council) commented on how important it is to develop friendships when you don’t need them. The middle of a crisis, he said, is a lousy time to find out who you can count on.
His comment reminded me of a related statement by Robert Lilligren (CEO of NACDI and then-Chair of the Metro Urban Indian Directors). During Operation Metro Surge, the Native American community collected and distributed literally tons of groceries and other supplies to families who were too threatened to leave their homes. Robert said something along the lines of, “A lot of people see how many supplies we are sending out and think, ‘You guys are really well funded.’ We aren’t. The Native community is severely underfunded. We’ve just gotten really good at sharing resources and getting them to the people who need them. We’ve built a great network.”
I believe both men’s comments underline one of the reasons Minneapolis (and the entire Twin Cities) responded so well and so strongly to Operation Metro Surge.… Read the rest “The Quiet Time for Friendship”