Bridging the Gap Awards Return to Awards Index

2004 Award Winners...

This year's recipients are:

Attorney Walter "Wally" Thompson receives Diversity Foundation's 2004 "Bridging the Gap" Award from DF Chairman Ed Lohnes. Mr Thompson has practiced law in the greater Winona Community for over 4 decades and originally helped organize & Incorporate the Diversity Foundation Inc. in 1997. Wally has made a lifelong committment to the Diversity mission and belief in Reconciliation between all cultures, ethnicity and spiritual beliefs. Attorney Thompson was also one of the original organizers & founders of SEMCAC, a large SE Minnesota anti-poverty, health and service organization begun in the 1960's. The BTG Award was presented (June, 04) at Winona's 1st annual "Great Dakota" Gathering.


Diversity Foundations Ed Lohnes & Sgt Mamie Singleton presents DF's 2004 "Bridging the Gap" Award to Louis "Lou" Schoen, (St. Louis Park, Minnesota) during Winona's !st annual "Great Dakota" Reconciliation & Homecoming. (June, 04) Mr. Schoen continues to serve as an anti-racism trainer and national organizer within the Episcopal Church of America, as well as a development consultant to non-profit organizations serving communities of culture. Lou is retired from the Minnesota Council of Churches, where he was the Director of Social Justice Programing & Anti-racism Initiative. The Diversity Foundation is grateful for Lou's many years of volunteer service and his willingness to continue as DF's grant writer & Consultant.

Winona Community Foundation (WCF) president Maggie Modjeski, being presented the Diversity Foundations 2004 "Bridging the Gap" Award by board chairman Ed Lohnes Jr. The award was presented to the WCF organization for its cultural diversity grant to DF and the Winona-Dakota organizing committee in support of its first annual reconciliation and homecoming event in 2004







Diversity Fd. members Ed Lohnes and Sgt Mamie Singleton are here presenting the "Bridging the Gap" award for 2004, to the Marafie Foundation of Burnsville, Minn. Mr. Amir Marafie and Chairman Howell are shown accepting the award as part of the Winona-Dakota Homecoming Ceremonies, MC'ed by DF's Ex Dir. Lyle Rustad. (June 27, 2004) The Marafie Foundation had provided "seed money" in support of these first annual Winona-Dakota Reconciliation and Gathering activities held near Lake Winona. The Marafie Fd. also provided funding to help sponsor the Winona Community's initial "Dakota Goodwill" delegation & exchange visit to several Dakota Reservations across the Midwest.

Sioux Valley's Mike Hotaine (Manitoba, Canada) was awarded DF's 2004 BIG Award for his Lifetime service toward reconciliation & education among and between his Dakota Nation & the European American communities across the United States and Canada. Like his Uncle Eli Taylor, Mike was considered a leading historian and teacher of Dakota language and culture. He was one of the youngest Tribal Chiefs of his Sioux Valley Dakota Reserve! Before he was a teenager, Mike was already working along side his grandfather as a Pow Wow announcer. His knowledge, wit and "uniting" personality led to his high demand as a teacher & speaker! Up until his recent health issues, Mike had gained a reputation as one of the leading & most widely recognized International Pow Wow MC's across the US and Canada! Mike continues to serve as one of Diversity's Dakota Cultural Advisors for the "Mitakuye Owasin" Documentary series


DF's Ex Dir. Lyle Rustad presents the '04 "Bridging the Gap" Award to Mr John Borman, overlooking Lake Winona in June, 2004. John is a Winona Attorney, who has committed his life toward social justice and human rights activities around the globe! Mr. Borman is a founding member of the Winona Dakota Unity Alliance Committee and a Diversity Foundation board member.

http://www.diversityfoundation.org