Meet The Team

This project is made possible through the dedication of the PBS North team—editors, journalists, producers, and community partners who work together to amplify Indigenous voices across Minnesota.

Lance Haavisto

Lance believes PBS has long been a cornerstone of the community, providing content that enriches viewers’ lives. He is Assistant Production Manager at WDSE-WRPT and has worked in media production for over a decade. With a passion for storytelling, Lance is dedicated to finding fresh, creative ways to captivate audiences. His commitment is evident in his work on Native Report, rooted in his heritage as a descendant of M’Chigeeng First Nation.

Chris Brown

Chris brings a storyteller’s heart to PBS North, where he serves as Production Manager. With leadership experience in Duluth, northern Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Mid-Michigan, he has built a strong background in management, video editing, and creative direction. Believing storytelling should move audiences visually, auditorily, and emotionally, Chris is dedicated to projects that uplift Indigenous voices on Native Report with depth and authenticity.

Carly Jones

Carly joined PBS North in 2021 and serves as Producer of Native Report. A descendant of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, she grew up on the reservation before earning a B.A. in English from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Carly began her career producing for KBJR 6 and CBS 3 in Duluth, gaining valuable experience in news and storytelling. Today, she combines her professional background with a passion for uplifting Indigenous perspectives.

Erin Virta

Erin is Marketing Strategy and Analytics Manager at PBS North, bringing creativity and data-driven insight to audience engagement. With a background in digital communications and community outreach, she helps ensure Native Report stories reach and inspire viewers across Minnesota and beyond. Erin is dedicated to elevating Indigenous voices through thoughtful marketing that connects content with community needs.

Blandin Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. For 2022, the combined assets of the Foundation, and the Charles K. Blandin Residuary Trust, from which the Foundation gets its funding, was $474 million.

“Our mission is to connect, fund and advocate for ideas and people to inspire resourcefulness and move rural places forward. Our vision is for rural Minnesota places that welcome diversity, address injustice, and embrace change to create a sustainable and equitable future.”

Rooted in community and driven by purpose, our team delivers culturally grounded solutions that create lasting impact where it matters most.

BUILDING WITH COMMUNITY

A team grounded in land, relationships, and long-term impact

At the heart of our work is a commitment to place. Whether we’re co-creating curriculum alongside community educators, developing digital platforms with Elders and youth, or supporting Nations through strategic planning, every project we take on is shaped by the people and lands we serve.

We believe that space is more than just a location—it’s a living relationship. That’s why we approach every collaboration with humility, listening first and designing second. Our team brings together deep experience in education, technology, research, and community engagement, working in close partnership with Nations to ensure every solution is grounded in culture, language, and local priorities.

From school grounds to remote-first platforms, from storytelling workshops to data governance models, we help build environments that are safe, inclusive, and culturally resonant. These aren’t cookie-cutter solutions—they’re carefully shaped, community-led frameworks that honor Indigenous sovereignty and spark generational impact.

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