A conversation about pushing for deep institutional change in turbulent times. How do we do our jobs when the concept of equality, equity, peace and social justice are being questioned and the oppression of others is desired? What is your responsibility to ensure humanity, equality, equity, peace and social justice? If we want a future where everyone is thriving, we must ensure these concepts are at the root of everything that we do at work and in our lives.
Saray Garnett-Hochuli is a prominent public servant currently serving as the Deputy City Operations Officer, and previous role as Director of Regulatory Services for the City of Minneapolis. She has played a pivotal role in advancing key city functions related to equity, housing, public health, safety standards, homelessness response and operational efficiencies. Garnett-Hochuli is known for her strong leadership and commitment to creating an anti-racist culture within the department and the enterprise at the City of Minneapolis. She is highly regarded for her fearless approach to handling difficult challenges, including protecting her staff amid threats of violence. Her leadership during a period of significant change in Minneapolis government has earned her the respect of colleagues and city officials alike, as she works to foster equity and accountability in city operations.
Throughout her career in the private or public sector, she has demonstrated strategic leadership across various public and private sector collaborations. She has been a key figure in shaping the future of the City of Minneapolis, earning praise for her dedication and passion.
Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Sioux Dakota and Muscogee Creek) holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, and serves as adjunct faculty in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is vice chair of the board for Vision Maker Media, a national organization based out of Nebraska, chair of the board for Wakan Tipi Awayankapi in St. Paul (Imnizaska), and in 2020 was appointed by Governor Walz to serve on the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB), which oversees Capitol complex preservation and development (including public art) in downtown St. Paul. Previously, Kate served on the leadership team at the Minnesota Historical Team where she was the director of Native American Initiatives engaging with both Native communities and tribes and advocating for and implementing Indigenous interpretation and involvement at historic sites throughout the state. In 2018 Kate and her father Syd Beane completed a documentary film, Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian, which shares the story of her grandfather, writer, reformer, and physician Charles A. Eastman and in 2019 she presented a Minneapolis TEDX talk titled “The Lasting Legacy of Place Names,” which spoke to her family’s work restoring the Dakota name to Bde Maka Ska in south Minneapolis (Bdeota).
