I wish I had seen this post back when it first came out. I'm not sure if many of these issues had been addressed as I know last August a community forum was held by AICHO and I assume at least some of the concerned persons or "disgruntled" former employees were able to address these issues with the folks who need to hear it.

To add some context to these concerns, I worked for AICHO before the current people were in charge, with the exception of some (most?) of the board members. I prefer to remain anonymous because my current organization makes referrals to AICHO programs and I work with some of Gimaajii's residents. Obviously as an anonymous internet nobody I don't expect that all of you will take my word as gospel, but whether it means something or not I give you my word that I'm not making any of this up.

AICHO used to be more an organization about hiding its inconsistencies, clientele issues, and employee eff-ups. Now it seems they've taken the direct opposite approach by firing anyone who breathes wrong.

When I worked there, Gimaajii was still coming down the pipe. Many funds from the grants meant to run my programming were illegally funneled into the Gimaajii program as that was AICHO's crown jewel. In the 3+ years I worked there we went through at least 5 financial workers due to the unscrupulous way in which money was being shifted around. Any attempts I made at appropriating funds for "cultural" programming such as beading, language classes, and healing ceremonies were low-balled or denied. We were not paid time and a half on holidays per our union contract and were addressing this at the time I resigned.

It was well known in the area that many people were displaced due to AICHO buying the YWCA which was formerly low income housing. Creating homeless to make housing for homeless seemed contrary to the ideals of Gimaajii, but that's up for debate. I knew people who lived there at the time (circa 2007) and they were not provided with resources, simply given an out-date.

There were many problems involving clients and employees that were either not addressed or covered up so as not to get out and sully AICHO's name. It was routine for the cops to be called to the transitional housing units on 1st ave west and it was well known that a person in one of the upstairs units was selling drugs. It was admitted to me by the director that the drug issue was known, but was not to be addressed for fear of the press getting a hold of it. One of my co-workers attempted to buy pills from me, sell me her food stamps, and routinely brought her children and husband into the women's shelter despite this being obviously inappropriate. I addressed this with the higher-ups and nothing was done. In fact, this employee was not finally fired until she called her direct manager the c-word.

As for the stuff you're least likely to believe...
I was told by one of the higher-ups not to submit a mandated report on the rape of a child in one of our units. I did anyway.

One night one of my former co-workers was forced to miscarry at the women's shelter as no one, co-worker or manager, would come to relieve her.This was after my resignation.

This is the kind of workplace that 22 people left. When they tried to file for unemployment due to a hostile work place AICHO fought it until it came to mediation where they decided they "didn't care anymore." For months people I cared about and worked beside scrimped and scraped because they couldn't get funds that weren't coming out of AICHO's pocket anyway.

For the record, I love Gimaajii. The direct-service workers I've met there are amazing advocates for their clients. It fills a community void in Duluth as a place for Natives to get together and enjoy a good powwow, ceremony, or community forum. The housing program has literally saved the lives of some of my clients.

But AICHO has an ugly past that stems back through several directors, managers, board members, and years. People seem to think this most recent set of "higher-ups" is what's causing the problems, I'm here to tell you the problems have been there for a long time. The problem is lack of accountability.

And please, for the love of God, stop chocking it up to someone being "white." I have seen the Native show-runners act just as immorally and ridiculously so it is something wrong with the organization and not the person's skin color. Racism is racism.

Anyway, it feels good to get some of that off of my chest. I assure you it's only some of it.