Let's Champion Our
Indigenous Youth
Little Earth youth have huge potential and big dreams.
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But they face enormous obstacles...
31% graduation rate, 78% unemployment rate, 74% live below poverty line,
52% of 18 and younger have been exposed to crime in an area with the highest percent of gunshot victims in the city
Who We Are
INDIGENOUS
GAMING TRIBES
is an eSports Gaming League
where youth learn career,
business & life skills
Vision: We envision a world where indigenous youth find their gifts and voice in a fulfilling and rewarding career and successful life.
Why eSports?
It's what kids love to do!
It's a better way to engage youth in career, personal and social skills than classroom based programs.
When you work with youth , you don't want to hear "We're going to do school again?"
Gaming is a space where kids feel safe.
Millions of kids game.
But many are isolated and depressed.
We need to engage them in healthy, productive social relationships.
eSports is a
business, where youth can learn career skills.
It takes marketing, media, IT, business, financial literacy,
management and more to run a 21st century gaming league.
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Praise for IGT
"My kids love this program! It's all they talk about!"
Little Earth parent
MINNESOTA RØKKR
"We are totally stoked to partner with IGT!"
"IGT opens the door of opportunity in the professional world and aligns kids' passions and what they love about the gaming world."
Harrell, Little Earth Residents Association staff
"I love what IGT is doing to reach youth through gaming and mentoring."
Tony Byrne, Director of Business Development, Diversion Solutions
"TJ is more successful with Indigenous youth than anyone in this city."
Chris Brooks, co-founder Brown Venture Group
We are growing IGT from our successful pilot
to a career training gaming experience.
OUR FEARLESS LEADER
Who We Are
TJ
VALTIERRA
dedicates his life to serving youth.
TJ began volunteering at Little Earth in 2009 not expecting this to become his job. But, 12 years later, there's no place he'd rather be. TJ has travelled the country serving reservations, seeking to create access to the same opportunities others enjoy.
TJ, his wife, Chelsea and their three children live in North Minneapolis.
OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
Youth need to generate income.
Otherwise,
the streets will employ them.
We lose good kids to the streets because they need to make money.
Kids have dreams and aspirations.
We need to water those seeds now, before it's too late.
We've seen too many adults who had a dream, but no opportunity.
