ENDAZHI' GIZHAAWASONG: A Place Where Children Are Protected — Celebrating the grand opening of the child advocacy center in wahkon

By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

The long-awaited grand opening of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Wahkon took place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, marking an important milestone for the community. The event brought together a wide range of partners who share a deep commitment to supporting children and families, including Mille Lacs Band elected officials; the Mille Lacs Band Victim Services and Grants departments; Tribal Police Department officials; the Mille Lacs County Sheriff; the Mille Lacs County Attorney's Office; the District 5 Mille Lacs County Commissioner; Pine County officials; representatives from the cities of Wahkon, Isle, and Onamia; the Minnesota Indian Sexual Assault Coalition; Brainerd Sexual Assault; the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center; and additional Mille Lacs Band department representatives.

To honor the significance of this work and the families the center will serve, a dish setting and naming ceremony were held, along with an honor song, to begin this new chapter in a good way. Miigwech to John Benjamin (Waahbishkiigaabaw) and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe singers for sharing their knowledge, songs, and care.

Endazhi'gizhaawasong is the Ojibwe name for the CAC, meaning a place where the children are protected. Chief Executive Virgil Wind shared that the center will be a place where every child feels safe, protected, and believed. "It stands as a promise to our children that they will not face harm alone, that their voices will always matter, and that this community will surround them with care, respect, love, and strength," he said.

The new CAC is a safe, welcoming space where children and families can go for support when something difficult has happened. Designed to be calm and comforting, the center reflects the community's belief that children are sacred and deserve gentle, compassionate care.

At the center, children are able to speak with trained staff in a child-friendly environment, reducing the need to repeat their story. The CAC works closely with partners — including law enforcement, child protection, medical and mental health professionals, and Victim Services advocates - to ensure families receive coordinated support in one location.

Chief Executive Wind acknowledged the support of elected officials and offered special recognition to Secretary-Treasurer Sheldon Boyd, District | Representative Carolyn Beaulieu, and District |I Representative Wendy Merrill, who were present for the event, emphasizing that the center would not be possible without their leadership and commitment.

Director of Victim Services Kristen Allord emphasized the significance of the day. "The presence of all our partners here reflects how we are growing together and working collaboratively to strengthen the way we support children and families in our community," she said.

Sexual Assault Program Coordinator Sonja Jensen shared that there are approximately 950 Child Advocacy Centers nationwide, with only 14 located in Minnesota. Of those, just 13 are tribal CACs. Mille Lacs is one of only two tribal Child Advocacy Centers in Minnesota, alongside White Earth.

The building itself was designed with intention. From updated electrical systems to thoughtfully planned rooms, fresh siding, clean lines, and bright colors create a welcoming feeling from the moment families arrive. Safety was a top priority in every detail, with spaces designed to provide comfort, privacy, and protection while supporting staff in their important work.

Jensen also explained the installation of a high-quality video recording system that meets national standards for both child advocacy centers and law enforcement investigations, supporting best practices in multidisciplinary collaboration.

Policies and procedures have been aligned with National Children's Alliance guidelines to ensure the highest standards of care. Staff have undergone extensive training, laying the foundation to pursue full accreditation - the highest benchmark for Child Advocacy Centers nationwide. The accreditation process ensures a consistent, child-focused response guided by best practices, with clear expectations for confidentiality, documentation, coordinated casework, and ongoing professional development.

Reflecting on the intensive forensic interview training she completed, Jensen shared how it will strengthen the accuracy of interviews while honoring and supporting a child's voice.

"The center represents the work of many hands and the heart of an entire community," Jensen said. "Every step was taken with one purpose in mind: creating a space where children feel safe, believed, and supported. Today isn't just about opening a building — it's about beginning a new chapter in how we care for our children and stand together as a community. What we have built reflects who we are and what we value: protection, healing, and hope."

Sexual Assault Program Coordinator Sonja Jensen presents the journey of the Child Advocacy Center in Wahkon from vision to reality during the grand opening ribbon cutting event held at the center on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Photos by Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin staff.