2. News Room

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Meet Zoey Rossow: St. Croix Chippewa Teen and Participant in DVR's Summer Youth Program

Since 2018, Wisconsin’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has partnered with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council to offer the Tribal Summer Youth Program, providing work-based learning and Pre-Employment Transition Services to Native youth with disabilities. The program helps participants build both technical and professional skills, while strengthening connections to their communities and cultures.

In summer 2025, 65 students across four Wisconsin tribes took part in the program. Among them was Zoey Rossow, a 19-year-old member of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and student at UW-Superior majoring in multimedia journalism and marketing. DVR invited Zoey to share her experience by responding to a series of emailed questions. Her thoughtful replies tell the story of how the program shaped her summer.

How did you hear about the Tribal Summer Youth Program?
Zoey: “I heard about this program through my team at DVR, and through my mentors at the Tribal Education Department. They encouraged me to apply and shared how impactful it could be for gaining experience and building skills.”

Where did you work during the summer, and what was your role?
Zoey: “This summer, I had the opportunity to work across several different departments within my tribe, each offering unique experiences that helped me grow both personally and professionally.”

“I worked with the Education Department, where I assisted with youth programming and helped organize for the YES Program.* I also worked with the Judicial Branch, where I gathered data for a grant project and worked closely with the Chief Judge. Being part of this project showed me how much impact grant work can have in supporting the tribe.” “In addition, I spent time with the Truancy Department, where I served as a mentor for a student who was struggling to get back into school. Later, I was placed at Maamigin, a Native bead store in Siren, Wisconsin. At Maamigin, my role focused on social media marketing and content creation – helping showcase products like beads, fabrics, jewelry, books, and regalia materials. I created posts for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, and designed visuals using Canva.”

“This combination of experiences gave me such a well-rounded internship, and I feel very thankful to have been part of so many impactful projects.”

*The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is a Career Exploration and Cultural Education program for youth ages 14-17 including six weeks of career exploration and education over the summer months for which youth receive a monetary stipend based on participation.

What did you learn in these roles that you didn’t know before?
Zoey: “I learned so much through working in different departments of my tribe and at Maamigin.”

“From the Education and Truancy departments, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges students face and how important mentorship is. Through the Judicial Branch, I learned about the grant process – how data is gathered, organized, and applied to create opportunities that directly benefit the tribe.”

“At Maamigin , I discovered how social media and digital marketing can uplift a Native-owned business. I learned how to create content that connects with people, how platforms like Shopify and Square affect success, and how digital storytelling can help preserve and share culture.”

How do you think your jobs within the program will help your employment in the future?
Zoey: “This internship gave me such a wide range of experiences that I know will help me in any future career path I take. From working with the Education and Truancy departments, I developed mentorship and leadership skills. My time with the Judicial Branch gave me experience in data collection, organization, and grant writing.”

“At Maamigin, I built strong skills in social media marketing, content creation, and digital communication – all of which are highly valuable in today’s workforce. Having had the opportunity to work in multiple departments and roles taught me how to be flexible, professional, and confident in stepping into new challenges.”

If you could tell Governor Evers anything about this program and your role in it, what would it be and why? Zoey: “I would tell Governor Evers how truly grateful I am for the Tribal Summer Youth Program and the opportunities it created for me. This program didn’t just give me one job – it gave me the chance to explore multiple areas of my tribe and discover skills I didn’t know I had.” “What makes this program so impactful is how it opens doors for tribal youth to grow in confidence, professionalism, and community involvement. Overall, I walked away with professional, technical, and cultural knowledge that I never would have learned without this program, and it has given me more confidence in myself and my abilities moving forward.”

Mentor Perspectives

“The next St. Croix leaders come from the youth. In knowing that, the tribe invests in their youth, and partners with youth agencies like DVR, VRNA, the UW Systems, local camps, local farms, and other Tribal agencies here at St. Croix and throughout the ceded territory.” – Janine McNulty, St. Croix Higher Education Coordinator

“It is always our hope that the youth will leave the reservation to gain valuable experience, such as through higher education. But we also hope they will bring their skills back to St. Croix and our people. We value this program and hope to expand opportunities in the future that benefit the next seven generations.” – Conrad St. John, Tribal Chairman

Zoey’s responses illustrate the impact of the Tribal Summer Youth Program: connecting young people with mentors, expanding their skills, and strengthening ties to culture and community. Stories like hers show why DVR remains committed to supporting Native youth and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.