April 26, 2026

PS5 - Asiniiwiikwe: Woman Made of Stone (Powerful Stories #5)

Show Notes

"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them." --Paul Wellstone

Her name in Ojibwe is Anisiiwiikwe, which means "woman made of stone," an apt description of Ashley Fairbanks. And though her skills and experiences are varied — ranging from art and design work to writing, to political campaigns, to climate work, to community activism, and beyond —everything is rooted in positively activating others. Recently, with her founding of "Stand With Minnesota" —a community-driven, web-based platform designed to support immigrants and refugees, particularly with aid in response to ICE's Operation Metro Surge — this woman made of stone has helped those in need to the tune of $20 million... and counting.

Ashley Fairbanks is an Anishinaabekwe from Gaawaabaabiganikag (in Northern Minnesota), raised on the south side of Minneapolis and now based in San Antonio, Texas. A storyteller and activist, she has spent more than 15 years working at the intersection of communications, organizing, design, and culture--helping turn big ideas into campaigns that move people to action. Ashley began her career designing museum exhibitions before moving into politics and advocacy. She has worked on municipal, gubernatorial, senatorial, and presidential campaigns, launched creative community projects, and led narrative campaigns on climate justice, democracy, and equity. She currently serves as Communications & Creative Director at 100%, a climate and clean energy organization in Minnesota.

She is also the founder of Stand With Minnesota, a rapid-response campaign that raised millions of dollars and connected thousands of families to direct support during a time of crisis. Ashley is the author of This Land and Boarding Schools and the Indigenous Story, both published by Penguin Random House. She lives with her family and a scruffy white dog named Waffles.

To learn more, visit her website HERE, or follow her on BlueSky on Instagram.