The Bush Foundation in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has announced the twenty-four recipients of the 2017 Bush Fellowship.

Established in 1965, the program supports the development of social sector leaders in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the twenty-three Native nations that share the same geography. Bush Fellows receive up to $100,000 over twelve to twenty-four months in support of a leadership development plan that is tailored to their needs and ambition. Fellows can use the funds to advance their education, take advantage of networking opportunities, and/or access leadership resources, workshops, and trainings.

Initiatives to be pursued by this year's fellows include a plan to expand a rural network of health, policy, and community mentors; a program of study designed to develop leadership skills that can be used to enhance a network that helps integrate immigrants and refugees into their new communities; and a program focused on research in historical Lakota leadership and diplomatic relations.

"The 2017 Bush Fellows are extraordinary leaders who make significant contributions to their communities," said Bush Foundation president Jennifer Ford Reedy. "The Bush Fellowship is both a recognition of their accomplishments and a bet on their potential to make an even bigger impact on our region."

For a complete list of this year's Bush Fellows, see the Bush Foundation website.