
Linda Cypret-Kilbourne
Linda (Zhaawanong NimKii Kwew, Southern Thunder Woman) holds many titles from Sister to Organizer to Activist. She is a mother of 23 children of an Anishinabe extended family, grandmother of 60, and great-grandmother of 27. Linda is a Co-founder of the Michigan Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, a member of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, Co-Founder of Native Rights Michigan, Chairperson of the NASCO Movement (Native American Student Community Organization Movement), and past Director and Co-Chair of AIM (American Indian Movement) West Michigan. Linda is a former Fellow at the ARCUS Center at Kalamazoo College. She has been going into the prison systems for over 40 years helping Native peoples as a Spiritual Advisor for INU (Indian Nations United). In addition, she founded Harvest Fall Social Dance Gathering, and Land of Falling Waters Traditional Pow Wow. Linda also planned and worked on the Water Walk around Lake Michigan with Grandmother Josephine. She is a traditional woman dancer and has received many awards and recognitions throughout the years. Linda has been a part of the Native Justice Coalition since its inception. She has participated as a presenter at our Anishinaabe Racial Justice Conference, Story Sharer at our Anishinaabe Healing Stories on Racial Justice events, as well as attended numerous events.