Anishinaabe Student Council
Mission Statement
The Anishinaabe Student Council’s primary responsibility is to advocate and act as a voice for the Anishinaabe student body at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. The primary purpose is to support, maintain, and encourage acceptance and respect for the Native American culture. Anishinaabe Student Council was established to participate as part of a dual government and will provide proper representation and leadership in accordance with the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College; and local, state, and federal entities in a respectful yet culturally appropriate manner.
Purpose
The purpose of the Anishinaabe Student Council shall be:
- To assure that activities are provided for FDLTCC students on campus that promote acceptance and respect of the Native American culture.
- To actively recruit Native American Students as members of the ASC.
- To create, promote, and support an atmosphere of acceptance and respect among all students from all cultures.
Students are encouraged to contact their ASC representatives with any concerns or questions. ASC meetings are open to all. Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are posted on the ASC bulletin board outside Room 242. The ASC Office is in Room 246, also known as the Student Union.
Anishinaabe Student Council Offices:
- Chair
- Vice-chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Activities/Historian
To learn more about the roles and responsibilities, read the Council’s By-Laws here: Anishinaabe Student Council ByLaws 2023 to 2024
Elections
Officers are elected by a plurality vote of the student body. Elections for the academic year will take place in the spring. All students enrolled in one or more credit may cast one vote for each office.
Requirements for Candidacy
All officers of the ASC must be enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe. ASC officers must have and maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. For more information regarding Anishinaabe Student Council, contact Ariel Johnson at 218-879-0871 or by email at ariel.johnson*AT*fdltcc.edu.
Meet our Council Members!
Chair: April Petite
From: Fond du Lac Reservation (Cloquet), MN
Small Business/Entrepreneur, AS Degree
Favorite Quote: “Don’t give up on the person you are becoming.”
The Why: “I wanted to be on Council because as someone like myself who is learning about business, I feel the Council would give me a better understanding of how things work in the world, especially the business world.”
Vice Chair: Abbi Zapata
From: Nett Lake, MN
AA Degree
Favorite quote: Dropping frybread is like dropping a feather, you better put some tobacco down for that.”
The Why: “I wanted to be on Council because I’ve never been a part of something like this. I joined for the experience.”
Secretary: Shawntay Brown
From: White Earth, MN
American Indian Studies, AA Degree
Favorite Quote: “As Anishinaabe we walk with the sun and moon, in darken times we shine, in constant times we shine.”
The Why: “I wanted to be on the Council to learn more about leadership and teamwork. I want to be able to help at events and connect more people to the school and culture.”
Treasurer: Alyssa Costello
From: St. Cloud, MN
AA Degree
Favorite Quote: “I do not, will not fear tomorrow because I feel as though today has been enough.” Fear and Friday by Zach Bryan
The Why: “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.”
Historian/Activities Coordinator: Eric King Jr.
AA Degree
Favorite Quote: “Light-hearted, fire starter. Finding all the corners to cut, making my mind sharper. Made up my mind to slime, shawty, ’cause I saw my squad starving. You would’ve did it too if you started where I started.” -Song lyric by Kenny Mason and SKFUL from the song Stevie Can See
The Why: “I wanted to be on this Council to be more a part of the school and make positive impacts for future student.”