Today, Leah speaks with David Amitrano, the owner of Midwest All-Star Wrestling, a Minnesota-based, Native-owned independent wrestling organization in Woodbury.

He is originally from Ely, Minnesota and is a citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. He and wife Brittney have four kids at home.

He got into wrestling as the CFO of Women of Nations, a women and children's domestic violence and sexual assault shelter. He's been there for over a decade. It's a 44-bed shelter for Native women and children but also women and children of all nations. It was founded in 1982. Located in St. Paul, it is one of the largest shelters of its kind not on reservation land. 

In 2017, David was at work when he got a call from Jesse Ventura. He had seen a video about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The shelter had been mentioned in the program. Jesse suggested doing a fundraiser and put him in contact with an owner of Midwest All Star Wrestling. David didn't know much about wrestling at the time, but they held their first wrestling fundraiser at the American Indian Center in 2017. It was a success and ever since they've done it every year.

After the fundraiser, he became an owner of Midwest All-Star Wrestling, which distinguishes itself as one of the organizations to highlight women's wrestling. His daughter is a huge wrestling fan. And one day she said, "How come there are no girl wrestlers?" So, he did something about it.

-----

Hosts / Producers: Leah Lemm, Cole Premo 

Editor: Britt Aamodt 

Editorial support: Emily Krumberger 

Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood 

-----

For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. 

instagram.com/ampersradio

instagram.com/mnnativenews

facebook.com/MNNativeNews

Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ 

This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund