Brenda Blackhawk (Hocąk) was born and raised in North Minneapolis and later, Brooklyn Park. Growing up in a mixed-race, mixed culture family, Brenda spent time in both the Native American Church and the Lutheran Church (specifically Salem Lutheran in North Minneapolis). She learned a lot working in the family business, Lou Ann’s Restaurant, from the age of 14 on. With her very close-knit family, Brenda saw a lot of the country taking road trips, camping, and attending powwows.
She graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State University, majoring in English and minoring in Technical Communications, Women’s and Gender Studies, and American Indian Studies. She also earned a certificate in Web Design from North Hennepin Community College in 2019.
While in college and for several years after, Brenda was a cook, server, and new store opening consultant for Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. Beginning in January of 2019 through September 2022, Brenda was a Racial Justice Organizer from the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), working as part of a statewide coalition to Restore the Vote for people with felonies on their record.
Brenda believes in making an impact. She currently sits on the Doctrine of Discovery Task Force (ELCA), the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives Task Force (ELCA), the Reparations Work Group of the Minnesota Council of Churches, and the Human Rights Commission of the City of Brooklyn Park. Brenda is frequently contracted to write for ELCA publications, speak at various events and churches, or lead racial justice or community organizing trainings. For fun, she volunteers as a girls traveling basketball coach.
Brenda loves her family and enjoys being the oldest of nine siblings (the youngest of which is 9), wife to her husband, Chris, and dog mom to Luna and Loki. With her free time, Brenda is often reading, singing, dancing, beading, eating, or watching a Marvel movie/show.