Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
About Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
Founded in 1984 by Becky Childs, Linda Welch, Elgie Raymond, and Brenda St. Germaine, the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center (MIWRC) emerged from a recognized community need for culturally responsive treatment and support services for American Indian women in Minneapolis, MN. Built on the foundational belief that the path to recovery exists within all women and that each person carries two medicines for healing—the ability to laugh and the ability to share—MIWRC has grown into a vital community institution. The organization's mission centers on empowering Native women and families to exercise their cultural values with integrity, achieve sustainable lifeways, and advocate for justice and equity within their communities. Operating from its current home in the Phillips neighborhood since 1990, MIWRC has expanded from initial outpatient treatment services to encompass family reunification programs, affordable housing, childcare, and comprehensive support services. The organization's commitment to a holistic, culturally grounded approach to healing has guided nearly four decades of service expansion and community partnership. MIWRC's legacy includes pioneering work as the only licensed treatment facility for American Indian women until 1993, establishing a 90 percent family reunification rate, and earning recognition from both the National Indian Women's Association and Hennepin County. Today, MIWRC continues this tradition of community-driven solutions, remaining deeply connected to the families and neighborhoods it serves throughout Minneapolis.