Connie Lee Berg Recieves Appointment by Governor

Connie Lee Berg, a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, received "a notice of appointment" by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Statewide Independent Living Council.

In the Governor's formal "Notice of Appointment" Dayton says, "Connie Lee Berg. Because of the special trust and confidence in your integrity, judgement and ability, I have appointed and commissioned you to have and to hold the office of "121 Project Representative, Statewide Independent Living Council." The document goes on to say, "Effective June 2, 2013. Term expires January 4, 2016. Dated May 28, 2013, by Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota."

Berg will advise the Minnesota Legislature about the services and needs of people with disabilities. She will also determine how funding will be allocated based on a three year State Plan that the Council authors. Three is a two-term limit.

"I've been involved in Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services for 20 years and have worked at the local, State and National level as a rather vocal advocate for American Indian people with disabilities," said Berg in an interview.

Berg has received a number of awards for her work and has been selected to serve on a number of Commissions, Councils and Task Forces. She was selected to provide testimony to National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) on behalf of American Indian people.

She was one of four people in the Nation selected for the NIDRR project. NIDRR, a component of the US Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), is the main federal agency that supports applied research, training and development to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

At present, Berg serves as an American Indian Advisor to the National Council on Disabilities and work with a group of recognized experts in the field trying to improve access to Independent Living services for American Indian people with disabilities.

Berg is Director for the Red Lake Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office and has been providing services to American Indian people with disabilities for more than 20 years. Berg is also recognized as a Certified Prevention Specialist.