ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) has named Anton Treuer, an Ojibwe historian, author, professor, and cultural educator from Bemidji, as the 2026 recipient of the Ruth & Ray Reister Award for Historical Contributions to the Humanities.
Announced on October 20, the award recognizes Treuer’s more than three decades of work preserving and sharing Ojibwe history, language, and cultural knowledge while expanding public understanding of Minnesota’s Indigenous communities.
Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, has dedicated much of his career to ensuring that Native voices, oral histories, and community knowledge are represented in historical scholarship and public education.
He holds a doctorate in history from the University of Minnesota and has authored or edited more than 20 books exploring Native American history, identity, language, and culture. His notable works include The Assassination of Hole in the Day, Warrior Nation: A History of the Red Lake Ojibwe, Ojibwe in Minnesota, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask, and The Language Warrior’s Manifesto.
Through his research, writing, and educational outreach, Treuer has challenged historical narratives that have often excluded Indigenous perspectives. His scholarship emphasizes the importance of oral traditions, Native languages, and community-based knowledge in understanding the histories of Ojibwe people and Minnesota.
Beyond his published work, Treuer has been actively involved in Ojibwe language revitalization, teaching, community-based research, and public presentations. His efforts have helped make Indigenous history and cultural knowledge more accessible to both Native and non-Native audiences.
“The work of the committee was undeniably difficult with so many wonderful candidates. We are elated to bestow the Reister Award upon Anton Treuer, a wonderful scholar who has done so much to amplify and preserve Ojibwe language, history, and knowledge,” said MHC CEO Kevin Lindsey in the organization’s announcement.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with Dr. Treuer and further share and extend his amazing work.”
The Ruth & Ray Reister Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the understanding, preservation, interpretation, and public appreciation of Minnesota history.
The award honors the legacies of Ruth A. Reister (1936–2015) and Raymond A. Reister (1929–2005), who were both deeply committed to education, history, and civic engagement.
Raymond Reister served on the board of the Minnesota Humanities Commission, now known as the Minnesota Humanities Center, and held leadership roles with the Minnesota Historical Society and Minneapolis Athenaeum. Ruth Reister held senior positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served on several educational and historical organization boards.
After Ruth’s passing, her estate established an endowment at the Minnesota Humanities Center in 2016 to support the award and continue the couple’s commitment to preserving and sharing Minnesota history.
Treuer’s selection highlights the importance of Indigenous scholarship in shaping a more complete understanding of Minnesota’s past and present. His work demonstrates how preserving Native languages, documenting oral histories, and centering Indigenous perspectives can strengthen historical understanding for future generations.
For more information about the Ruth & Ray Reister Award, visit www.mnhum.org/program/ruth-ray-reister-award/.
