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Board Candidate Responses

Below are the submitted candidate responses for the school board election.

Donovan May

Teacher Representative

About the Candidate

I have a strong background in language and culture and a desire to help the school succeed.

Why They Want to Serve

I believe that this school being here is the beginning of our language and culture coming back to the people, bringing with it a great healing.

Darwin John Sumner

Community Member Representative

About the Candidate

I'm 67 years old and was born and raised in Red Lake, aside from three years of honorable military service. Since 1994, I have been involved with Red Lake youth through cultural and traditional teachings and youth programming, including serving as Co-Founder and Board Chairperson of Sah Kah Tay Indigenous Preservation Society, Red Lake Youth Fishing League, and as Minnesota State Youth Director for the BASS Federation.

Why They Want to Serve

I served on Red Lake ISD #38 as a school board member from 2010–2014, and that experience serving K–12 students in Ponemah and Red Lake was very meaningful. It gave me the information and resources needed to help youth overcome the challenges and barriers they may face in the future.

AnnMarie English-Defoe

Parent Representative

About the Candidate

Attending the school functions as a family and community. I also sit on the AIPAC committee.

Why They Want to Serve

Being a parent on the school board gives me a chance to be a voice for other parents and students. Endazhi is a very unique school, and I believe that I can help the school flourish, bring fresh ideas, and help make decisions that are best for the school, staff, and students. I will be a positive voice in the education of our children academically and culturally.

Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School Logo

Board of Directors

Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School

Schedule of Board Meetings (2025–2026)

Board meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 PM, in person and via Zoom.

Special Board Meeting: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 4PM @ Elders Room

Location: Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School, 2065 HWY 1 West, Red Lake, MN 56671

(Board members may be participating via zoom)

Zoom: Click here to join

Previous Recordings: Click here to view

ANNOUCEMENT: Endazhi-Nitaawiging School Board Elections

 

We are looking for interested school board candidates to fill 2 seats beginning the 2026/27 school year. Stop in at the front desk or call the school to receive an application.

 

Election Timeline:

  • Nominations are now being accepted.
  • Completed applications are due to the school office by the end of the school day on April 9, 2026.
  • Voting day is April 24, 2026. 
  • Successful candidates will be announced at the annual board meeting on April 27, 2026.
  • Elected Candidates will begin their 3 year term on July 1, 2026.

Who Can Vote?

  • Each parent or legal guardian of a currently enrolled student
  • Current staff members
  • Current board members

Candidate bios are posted below. To apply to serve on the Board, please complete the Board Member Application Form. Last election held May 21, 2025; results will be posted on the Elections page.

Current Board Members

Headshot of Victoria Fineday

Victoria Fineday • Chair / Community Member / Parent Rep

Email: victoria.f@redlakecharterschool.com

A community member, grandmother, and mother to 10 children and 13 grandchildren. She continues to serve the community through her work. Her goal is to ensure students of our Great Nation receive Red Lake language, culture, and traditions to keep our existence intact.

Headshot of Bianca Mendoza

Bianca Mendoza • Vice Chair / Board of Director / Community Representative

Email: Bianca.m@redlakecharterschool.com

A member of the Red Lake Nation and the Bear Clan. Her family practices language and culture at home and through school. Her goal is to keep learning and growing alongside the community and to help wherever she can.

Headshot of Nokomis Paiz

Nokomis Paiz • Community Representative / Treasurer / Board of Director

Email: nokomis.p@redlakecharterschool.com

Has a history of teaching and working in mental health. She strongly believes in the school’s impact for the community and wants to ensure a school like this is supported for our community and our future.

Headshot of Donovan May

Donovan May • Teacher Representative / Board of Director

Email: d.may@redlakecharterschool.com

His motivation to be on the school board comes from a deep rooted belief that our language and culture in education is the pathway to healing for our people. “We all have a responsibility we share in supporting the next generation of leaders”

Headshot of AnnMarie English-Defoe

AnnMarie English-Defoe • Parent Representative / Board of Director

Email: annmarie.e@redlakecharterschool.com

Earned her Associates degree from Red Lake Nation college and is continuing her education at BSU in Indigenous Studies. She is active in the community supporting school sports, culutral events, and local gatherings. Annmarie shares her insights and energy to help the school grow.