Kohl Minor New Director of First Nations Composer Forum
Kristopher Kohl Miner (Ho-Chunk Nation) has been named Director of the First Nations Composer Initiative (FNCI). Miner brings to the position more than 15 years of resource development experience, as well as more than 28 years of theater and performance experience. He replaces Georgia Wettlin Larsen
“It is a tremendous honor to join ACF and FNCI,” Miner said, “I look forward to creating the connections and developing our programs that will better serve our Native American communities.”
FNCI has been a program of the American Composers Forum since 2004. FNCI believes that Native American music represents the continuation of an important artistic heritage that is vital to Native American communities.
“Mato Paha: Rally to Protect Bear Butte” Screening
The Augsburg Native American Film Series will hold a special screening of Mato Paha: Rally to Protect Bear Butte, which documents the escalating clash of cultures between those wanting to increase commercial use of the sacred site Mato Paha (Bear Butte) and those who strive to protect it and use it for religious purposes. Mato Paha portrays the cultural contrast between Indigenous values, beliefs and practices and the American perspective of land ownership and constitutional separation of civil government and religion.
The screening will be on Nov. 18 from 7:00 -10:00 pm. The event will be hosted by Mitchell Zephier Sr., Mark St. Pierre, and Tilda Long Soldier in the Augsburg College Sateren Auditorium’s Music Hall on 715 22nd Ave S. Event is free, but donations to the Bear Butte fund accepted. For poster and directions see: www.augsburg.edu/ais/filmseries. For more info on the film visit: www.ProtectBearButte.com.
SMSC celebrates Dakotah! Sport and Fitness’ 15th anniversary
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Club with a free Health Fair for Dakotah! members, SMSC employees, and the public on Nov. 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The fair will include SMSC enterprises and services, vendors, health screenings. Screenings available include cholesterol, oral cancer, carotid artery, glucose, body composition, and blood pressure.
The second event to celebrate the anniversary is DSF’s annual Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, November 21. The 3.1 mile event will start at Dakotah! and wind through The Meadows at Mystic Lake, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community golf course. The Turkey Trot 5K is open to the public.
U of MN Library exhibit highlights 40-year-old programs
The University of Minnesota had the first Department of American Indian Studies in the country and the second Department of African American and African Studies. The Celebrating 40 Years of African American Studies and American Indian Studies exhibit highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the courses as teaching students about every aspect of African American and African culture.
Celebrating 40 Years of African American Studies and American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota can be viewed till Dec. 5 at the U of MN’s Andersen Atrium, on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
PCTV merges with Intermedia Arts: offers multi-media for youth
Phillips Community Television and Intermedia Arts have merged to form one organization called Intermedia Arts. The newley merged organization is now offering free after-school media classes and programs for youth ages 11-18. Youth can; learn web and graphic design, photography, animation, create a weekly TV show, write, direct, and produce independent films.
OUR TURN is a show made for youth, by youth (ages 11-18). Choose your own subject matter, write your own scripts, conduct interviews, operate the cameras and edit your own story segments. No experience necessary. Our Turn airs every week on Channel 17 in Minneapolis and Channel 16 in St. Paul, and is available for viewing online. Workshops held 4-6 pm, Mon-Thurs (ongoing), at El Colegio Charter School, 4137 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis.
MIXED VISIONS is an online gallery featuring youth-created web design, photography and creative writing. Work with local artists on different projects using animation, graphic design, web design, photography, and more. No prior skills necessary. Workshops 4-6 pm, Thursdays (ongoing) at El Colegio Charter School.
INDY: Write, direct, and produce your own independent film! Learn to create your own short films. Training includes film history as well as technical and artistic filmmaking skills. Each semester culminates in a public screening of your work. No prior skills or experience necessary. Workshops take place 4-6:30 pm, Fridays (ongoing) at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave South, Minneapolis. All workshops are free but youth should register early due to space limitation. For more info, call 612-871-4444.
