MIGIZI Communications' History

1975

American Indian Journalists and university students meet together to discuss the possibility of a regional news organization after the American Indian Press Association in Washington, D.C. closes its doors. They discuss the damage the mid 1970s recession had done to newspaper publishing in Indian America. Over half of all newsletters, newspapers, and other publications had gone under, victims of the rising costs of paper and printing and the plummeting revenues from advertising.

1976

American Indian university students broadcast a five-minute daily news segment on KUOM-AM, the University of Minnesota radio station. Discussions on formation of a regional news organization continue.

1977

The journalist and student group choose the name, "MIGIZI," the bald eagle in the Ojibwe language for the organization because the bird signifies communication as well as guardianship and high standards. These elements are what the group wants the organization to aspire to throughout its history - excellence of communication, guardianship of the public trust and high standards for reporting and ethics. MIGIZI Communications, Inc. is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Minnesota The all-volunteer board assumes the duties of a staff and begin producing a half hour weekly program called, "The Native American Program." The show is broadcast over KUOM-AM and a local commercial station KQRS-FM. Audience response is positive, particularly that of late night truckers who are hearing the program at midnight on the FM station. Development of plans for regional and national distribution of the program follow. The founding board members:

R. Scott Raymond
Janice Command
Laura Waterman Wittstock
Sherry Wilson
Henry Greencrow
Andy Marlow
Tom Gammel
LaNae Warren Sexton
John Huerth

1978

Resources are extremely limited. The first grant in the history of the organization comes from the Lutheran Church - American Indian ministers on the grants committee see value in the little fledgling organization.

1979

MIGIZI Communications moves into its first independent offices. Funding is coming in from the Dayton Hudson Corporation, General Mills, and the Honeywell Corporation. The Division of Indian Work of the regional Council of Churches provides furnishings, supplies, and funds for travel to produce news segments. The program is growing and picking up subscriber stations from Minnesota and some of the Western States.

1980

The Native American Program becomes "First Person Radio," (FPR) named by board member Janice Command following an all night session to develop the organization's case statement and plan for program distribution. First Person Radio captures the essence of American Indian identity and is less cumbersome that the previous name (and the dozens of other names that littered the floor on scraps of paper). Funding continues to come in as the program gains recognition. The Producer and News Director positions will be handed over from the volunteer board members to paid staff and a search will commence for an Executive Director.

1981

MIGIZI is training up to eight university interns at a time in radio production, engineering and management techniques. Gary Fife (Creek-Cherokee) is hired as the first executive director. He also takes on responsibility as news director. He comes from the American Indian Press Association and Association on American Indian Affairs experience with formal and professional training in journalism. Michael Dalby joins MIGIZI as producer and engineer. He designs the new studio facilities and installs and calibrates all the new equipment.

1982

FPR becomes the first regular Native offering to be carried over National Public Radio's satellite system. MIGIZI begins producing the weekly local television public affairs program, Madagimo, for KARE-TV. We continue to produce other live radio programs, video documentaries and technical support to other organizations. Support for the organization now totals $200,000. Program distribution for the weekly half-hour program is 15 stations.

1983 to 1991

Distribution of the program grows to 55 stations nationally and Canada. The first federal grant is approved, supporting work with American Indian high school students and broadening training and education to include core academic studies and the use of communications as a tool for learning. First computer lab is built in 1983 and first computer camp conducted jointly with Robbinsdale School District American Indian students. The educational portion of MIGIZI grows to include adult students and cultural education. MIGIZI supports the annual Sugar bush camp directed by Walter Porky White, assisted by Madeline Moose.

1985 to 1990

"The Cloud Family Collection." with language arts lessons and eight radio plays elementary students can produce. The story line of the collection is about a modern Native family living in an urban area and the day to day problems they encounter and solve. It demystifies ideas about what Native people are like, and teaches the fun of using communications arts in the classroom.

1992

The series Coming from America, receives the National Headliner Award for best radio documentary. First Person Productions becomes the umbrella for diversified media production within MIGIZI .FPP produces the tour tape for the Minneapolis Institute of Art's largest American Indian Plains exhibit which opened in October, 1992. MIGIZI discontinues producing FPR due to rising production and distribution costs and hampered by waning funder interest and the inability of stations to pay for the program's costs.

1993 to 1998

As FPR disappears from the center of MIGIZI's work, and diversification continues. The most significant outgrowth of First Person Productions is the creation of NNIC.com -- National Native Internet Communications. In education, Native Academy replaces Achievement through Communications as the core educational program. The Family Education Center is developed to address health issues in the American Indian community, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

1999

The Community Technology Consortium is formed, comprising 14 organizations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

2000

We complete a significant renovation to accommodate two new tenants: Native Arts High School and Transitions Middle School. We built and opened the new Running Wolf Fitness Center, serving children and adults. The center has a special focus on diabetes.

2001

We add many new iMacs to our computer labs to accommodate 40 tech interns. We added furnishings, software, and wiring. We provide internet access and/or technical and administrative support for building tenants. We continue to develop Web sites for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The consortium completed a strategic plan using The Drucker Method to determine direction for the next three to five years.