Giving Back
An important part of our mission is giving a portion of our profits to Native youth in the form of scholarships and other investments into the Native Community.
Scholarships
By supporting Nashke Games you are also supporting the culture/language acquisition and education of Native youth. One way we give back is by donating portion of our profits through scholarships for youth.
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The Kemiiwananakwadok is a scholarship that is given annually to a Native American Law student in the State of Minnesota.
This scholarship is named in honor of our founder’s late wife, who was an attorney for the public defenders office for Hennepin County and a member of Minnesota Indian Bar Association.
2022 Recipient: Brandy DeCoteau-Heminger
2023 Recipients: Savannah Thibert & Dayna Maldonado
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The Niizhoodenh scholarship is given annually to a Native American graduating senior within the Anoka-Hennepin School District. One scholarship is awarded to a student who is pursuing traditional post secondary education while the other is awarded to a student who is pursuing education in the trades.
Niizhoodenh is the Ojibwe word for twin, which translates to two hearts. This scholarship is in honor our founder’s twin sons who he lost many years ago.
2023 Recipient: Kendra Pender and Emory Elliott
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The MIEA Nashke Scholarship supports post-secondary education for Native American students at the Minnesota Indian Education Association annual conference.
2023 Recipient: Charlise Chase Pendleton
2024 Recipient: Maria Swankier
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The David Sam scholarship will be awarded annually to a Native American graduating senior within a Minnesota American Indian Education Program who is planning to pursue post-secondary education and/or training program (trades).
The late David (Amik) Sam is Anishinaabe from Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. David was a remarkable individual—a gifted leader, teacher, spiritual advisor, and language instructor. He was also an avid outdoorsman and a revered Makizinataagewin instructor. Nashke Games collaborated closely with David on developing our Makizinataagewin and Bagese games. His contribution remains integral to the work we continue to do today. We are honored to offer a scholarship in his memory.
This scholarship will be for $500. Please fill out the attached form by June 15. Scholarship will be awarded August 1.
2024 MIEA Scholarship Recipient: Maria Swankier with Nashke Native Games Founder & Co-Founder, Tony & Mindy
2023 Kemiiwananakwadok Scholarship Recipients: Savannah Thibert & Dayna Maldonado (Left) Angelina Drews and Shauna Coons of Kwe Law
2023 MIEA Scholarship Recipient: Charlise Chase Pendleton]with Nashke Native Games Founder, Tony
2023 Niizhoodenh Scholarship Recipients: Kendra Pender and Emory Elliott
2022 Kemiiwananakwadok Scholarship Recipient Brandy DeCoteau-Heminger with Nashke Native Games Founder & CEO, Tony (Chinoodin) Drews
Native Community Investments
In addition to Scholarships, Nashke Games also donates funds to various Native Community Groups and Events in an effort to give back.
