Nevada Littlewolf

Nevada Littlewolf is indigenous Anishinaabe from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a third-term elected official serving on the Virginia, MN, City Council, and appointee to the Governor’s 6th District Judicial Selection Committee. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Rural American Indigenous Leadership whose mission is to grow women’s leadership in rural and indigenous communities of Minnesota.

I am a mother. I am a leader. I am passionate about my community and the people in my community.

Nevada is a remarkable woman with a range of passions driving her leadership. In addition to being a children’s advocate for over ten years, she is committed to sustainable development for the vitality of her community for present and future generations, and gets excited about indigenous foods and health.  

Public leadership requires having a personal stake in the game.

The most exciting part of Nevada’s vast successes is that she embraces the practice of “lift as you climb” — she is constantly tapping and training women to help #FillTheRoom with more women leaders, and has seen many of these women file for public office. 

Truly, I am humbled by how many women I have trained who are now are elected officials.

Nevada Littlewolf

She also uses her appointment on the 6th Judicial District — a commission that selects judges for gubernatorial approval — to increase women’s leadership; she has seen three women judges appointed by the Governor of Minnesota. Go, Nevada!

Perhaps the reason she is so dedicated to lifting other women up into leadership positions is because of the strong mentors in her life who have done the very same for her. Lorrie Janatopoulos, Beth Peterson, Peggy Flanagan, Liz Kuoppala, and Winona LaDuke are just a few women who have mentored her, and continue to be a large part of her life.

“As a woman in politics, I am always surprised and grateful for the network of strong, fierce, intelligent and passionate women who support me and support each other.”

Nevada knows that we need more women involved in the political process. Women’s voices and perspectives are left out of far too many conversations, particularly conversations that have a direct impact on our lives.  

Running for office seems daunting at first, but with the resources, support,
and tools that VRL offers, campaigns are winnable.

Nevada shared with us that her proudest moments in office are when she sees her son, Mika, involved in political campaigns and when he challenges the norms that he hears about women not being good leaders.  He says, “I see my mom, and I know women are great leaders.” Love that!

Are you inspired to help other women realize their own potential like Nevada does? Nominate a woman to attend a local, private leadership salon happening all around the country this December & help us #FillTheRoom with more women leaders.