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North Oaks Residents Together for Human Equity (NORTHE)

North Oaks Resident Together for Human Equity
North Oaks Residents Together for Human Equity

The North Oaks Residents Together for Human Equity (NORTHE) was founded in the summer of 2020 in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police officers. In the shadow of Mr. Floyd’s death and the protests and social unrest that followed, several members of the North Oaks community connected via social media, association meetings, and email, voicing concern for social injustices and expressing a desire for community dialogue as well as a response and action.

NORTHE was formed to offer a nonpartisan setting for members of our community to collectively express grief and frustration over these events, to empathize and support our neighbors of color, and to articulate a course of action that honors the deep-seated commitment of North Oaks to long-term sustainability for a vibrant community both within and outside of our neighborhood. 

As an intentionally designed community, North Oaks is uniquely positioned so that each resident and household has an impact on our shared environment. Like the Twin Cities region in general, our community is expanding in its diversity in race, religion, gender identity, background, and perspective. NORTHE recognizes our community’s responsibility to maintain a safe space and promote a welcoming, inclusive neighborhood through equity, civility, appreciation, and respect of one another, and by celebrating and extending our community as it exists today in a well-considered and deliberate way. Our sincere hope is that by providing space for community discussions about our growing population, we will collectively thrive as a diverse, sustainable, and resilient community of the 21st century. NORTHE’s work falls into the following three categories:

  • Community Building: Provide opportunities for North Oaks residents to come together for events to encourage a better understanding of the historical context for racism in Minnesota and the United States. These may be book clubs, documentary viewings, or other social events.
  • Community Outreach: Engage with local nonprofits who serve marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA, women, and refugee populations through volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy.
  • Community Action: Collaborate with the North Oaks City Council to review policies that affect safety, security, and services to align with our community values.

Our strong interconnectedness in North Oaks makes it possible for us to have an impact on our community and in our state. NORTHE invites all North Oaks neighbors to join meetings, held at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Please email northe.oaks@gmail.com for more information.