| The B.J. Reed Award | | | | with the parents, teachers and students at |
| Created in 1988, the B.J. Reed Award recognizes | | | | Sullivan School. The parents of the school have |
| the work of volunteers in the Minneapolis Schools. | | | | been overwhelmed by their children love and |
| The B.J. Reed Award was named in honor of | | | | devotion to Lawrence Looking Elk, who has |
| Batty Jane Reed who founded the Community | | | | developed the student's trust in him based on his |
| Resource Volunteer Program in 1965. B.J. Reed | | | | kind, gentle and understanding approach toward |
| was a Minneapolis School educator who went on | | | | them. Lawrence Looking Elk has worked closely |
| to be an author, poet and mentor. Originally the | | | | with the student's in Sandy Chapman's classroom |
| Community Resource Volunteer Program was | | | | at the Sullivan School. Ms. Chapman attributes |
| intended to give entertainers, craftspeople, | | | | many of the scholastic gains her students have |
| professionals, civic leaders and other working | | | | made to Lawrence Looking Elk and his work in |
| adults the opportunity to share their time and | | | | the classroom. Lawrence Looking Elk has |
| skills by becoming a part of the school curriculum | | | | volunteered in the Sullivan Elementary School for |
| giving classroom presentations. The CRV Program | | | | three years and donated nearly 3100 hours of his |
| later expanded its focus and became the WISE | | | | time. |
| Resource Volunteer Program. This program aims | | | | Lawrence Looking Elk is active in other ways in |
| to have volunteers engaged in various functions | | | | the Minneapolis Schools. He volunteers with many |
| across the Minneapolis Schools. B.J. Reed retired in | | | | organizations including the Parent Committee for |
| 1981 but continued to be an integral part of the | | | | Indian Education, is Chairman of the Indian |
| WISE Resource Volunteer Program until her death | | | | Education Board, and South High School Site |
| in 1995. The B.J. Reed Award is given annually to | | | | Council (PUSH). In addition to volunteer work with |
| someone who has made outstanding contributions | | | | these groups, he vigorously works to raise funds |
| to Minneapolis students and the community. | | | | for activities for Native American Students. |
| Lawrence Looking Elk the 2006 B.J. Reed Award | | | | Lawrence Looking Elk's experience from being in |
| Recipient | | | | the schools and classrooms gives him the insight |
| The Sullivan Elementary School, one Minneapolis | | | | to know what changes are needed and he has |
| School, has gained a great deal from the | | | | the tenacity to work for the changes in the |
| volunteer work of Mr. Lawrence Looking Elk. | | | | Minneapolis Schools that benefits all students. |
| Lawrence Looking Elk has become an almost | | | | Lawrence Looking Elk received the B.J. Reed |
| permanent member of the Sullivan School | | | | Award at June 13th meeting of the Minneapolis |
| community. The work he does at the school | | | | Board of Education. Last month, Looking Elk was |
| includes, but is certainly not limited to, volunteering | | | | also honored by his colleagues and friends at the |
| in the Media Center, out on the playground during | | | | Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held at St. Mary's |
| recess and in the lunchroom during breakfast and | | | | Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. |
| lunch. Lawrence Looking Elk has established a bond | | | | |