Meet Anthony Drews

We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Drews recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

How do I find my purpose?

My name is Tony Drews, and I come from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. I find my purpose in the place my ancestors left for me, in our language, our culture, and the identities that make our people who we are.

I didn’t arrive at this purpose all at once. It was shaped through some of the hardest moments of my life. I survived leukemia twice. I buried our twin boys. Four years later, I lost my wife to melanoma. These losses could have closed me off, but instead, they opened a doorway. They taught me that life is short, fragile, and sacred and my purpose can be strengthened through relationships.

That is what guides my work today. Through Nashke Native Games, my purpose shows up in classrooms, museums, and community events. where language, laughter, and cultural pride take root. It shows up in the boards and advisory roles I hold, where I use my lived experience to open doors and create pathways for Native youth and families.

I find my purpose in generosity, in listening, in humility, and in staying rooted in the teachings of my community.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the founder of Nashke Native Games, a Native-led organization focused on bringing Ojibwe and Dakota language, culture, and stories to life through play. My work sits at the intersection of education, cultural revitalization, and joyful learning.

At Nashke, we design culturally grounded card and board games, lead professional development for educators, and host community game nights across Minnesota and beyond. Every game is co-created with language carriers, artists, and cultural advisors to ensure authenticity and respect. Our goal is simple: help normalize Indigenous languages in everyday spaces while strengthening cultural pride and connection.

What I love about this work is that it’s not just a business, it’s community-building. I get to walk into schools where Native students see themselves reflected in curriculum, or where non-Native students learn to respect the language and worldview of the land they live on. I get to see teachers gain confidence in bringing Indigenous content into their classrooms in accurate, meaningful ways. That impact is what keeps me moving.

We’re also in an exciting growth phase. We’re expanding into Dakota-language games, partnering with museums and school districts, and developing new products. Including board games, puzzles, and storytelling tools that will launch in the coming year. We recently partnered with the Minnesota Children’s Museum to feature our Snake Game in their Game On exhibit, and we continue to build collaborations that bring culture into mainstream spaces.

More than anything, I want people to know that Nashke is rooted in love for our languages, for our future generations, and for the joy that comes from learning who we are.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything else: resilience, cultural grounding, and relationship building.

Resilience has been at the center of everything. Some of that came from life experience. Surviving cancer twice, losing our twin boys, and later my wife. Those moments changed me deeply. But resilience also came from the day-to-day commitment to keep showing up, even when it was hard. Building Nashke Native Games took years of late nights, long drives, school visits, learning curves, and hustle. Nothing about this work happened overnight. For anyone early in their journey: resilience isn’t only about surviving the hard moments, it’s about consistently putting in the time, the effort, and the heart. Keep showing up. Do the work. Take the small steps no one sees. That’s where real growth happens.

Cultural grounding has been my compass. Returning to language, story, and identity is what gave my work meaning and direction. When you root yourself in who you are—your teachings, elders, community, you’ll always have clarity, even when everything else feels confusing. My advice: spend time with your culture. Learn your language. Sit with your elders. Let those teachings guide your decisions. Cultural grounding doesn’t limit you; it gives you purpose.

Relationship building has opened every door in my career. Nashke Native Games exists because of genuine partnerships—with artists, educators, elders, students, and mentors who believe in the work. I don’t chase transactions; I build relationships. For folks early in their journey: be a good relative. Show up. Follow through. Listen more than you talk. And don’t underestimate the power of gratitude, people remember how you make them feel.

If you can cultivate resilience, stay grounded in who you are, put in the time, and build relationships based on trust, you’ll have everything you need to walk your path with strength, purpose, and integrity.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I’ve been fortunate to have many people walk alongside me, but two groups have shaped my growth more than anyone: my community and my partners through the Finnovation Fellowship.

First, my community has always been my foundation. Elders, language teachers, family, and cultural mentors helped me understand who I am and what responsibility looks like. They taught me to lead with humility, to listen before acting, and to honor the teachings that guide our people. When I was going through hard times, health challenges, loss, or moments of self-doubt, it was my Family that reminded me to keep going and to stay rooted.

But one of the most transformative experiences in developing my skills and confidence as a leader was my journey through the Finnovation Fellowship. That fellowship pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me space to refine my vision, strengthen my entrepreneurial skills, and build the confidence to dream bigger for Nashke Native Games. I was surrounded by mentors who asked me hard questions, challenged me to think differently, and helped me translate cultural vision into practical action.

The fellowship also connected me with a cohort of entrepreneurs who were navigating their own big ideas. We learned from each other, supported one another, and built a community where creativity, vulnerability, and ambition were all valued. That environment helped me grow not only as a business owner, but as a person. It made me realize that my lived experience, my cultural grounding, and my community-driven approach are not barriers, they’re strengths.

So when I think about who has helped me overcome challenges and build the skills I needed, it’s a combination of those who raised me and those who walked with me through the Finnovation journey. Together, they helped me grow into a leader who can stand confidently in both the cultural and entrepreneurial worlds, and stay rooted in purpose as I move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nashke.com
• Instagram: nashkenativegames
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nashkenativegames/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-drews-2937a7293/