Senior (65+) Businesses & Organizations in Minnesota

Little Earth Residents Association represents a unique model of Native American self-determination and community resilience in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since its founding in 1973, Little Earth has served as the only Indigenous preference project-based Section 8 rental assistance community in the United States, providing a cultural home for nearly 1,000 residents representing 38 different tribal affiliations. Born from grassroots activism in response to housing discrimination and the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, Little Earth was designed to reconnect urban Native peoples with their cultural and tribal identities while building pathways toward economic stability. The Little Earth Residents Association emerged from this foundation to serve as both a representative voice with HUD and a community center committed to empowering residents through culturally strong, supportive, and unified programming. What sets Little Earth apart is its authentic community governance—the Board of Directors has been 100% Native American since 1983, and the organization is led by residents who understand the lived experiences of the community. The 60 elders within Little Earth serve as cultural mentors, preserving intergenerational knowledge that was threatened by forced assimilation policies. Today, LERA continues the legacy of community organizing around environmental and social justice issues while providing family-centered services that honor traditional Indigenous values. Located in Minneapolis's East Phillips neighborhood, Little Earth demonstrates how community-driven organizations can create lasting systems change and serve as a beacon of self-determination for all Native peoples.

Founded in 1975, the Minneapolis American Indian Center stands as one of the oldest urban Native centers in the country, serving as a vital community hub in the heart of Minneapolis, MN's American Indian community. Established in response to federal relocation policies that brought Native people from reservations to cities, the center was initially formed by community members and continues this legacy today with majority American Indian leadership and staffing. The organization's mission centers on providing essential services within a foundation of cultural values that strengthen connection to culture and community, improve health and wellness, achieve academic success, and establish pathways to living wage employment that break cycles of generational poverty. All programs and services are provided at no cost to participants, ensuring accessibility for all community members. The center celebrates its 50th year of operation in 2025, marking five decades of commitment to the Twin Cities Native community. Recently reopened in May 2024 after an extensive historic renovation, the facility now encompasses expanded programming spaces, improved accessibility, and enhanced amenities including a new kitchen for Gatherings Cafe and the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. The center features culturally significant murals, including the George Morrison Mural and the I See Generations mural, and incorporates room signage in Dakota and Anishinaabemowin languages. With approximately 50 staff members and thousands of annual participants, the Minneapolis American Indian Center remains a gathering space and cultural anchor for urban Native people, providing services and community connection often unavailable elsewhere.