Ongoing
Call for Native Artists
Native American artists, performers, and culture bearers looking to exhibit, enhance, or share their artistic talents and cultural knowledge are invited to apply to the Cultural Programs offered through THE INDIAN MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA® at the Crazy Horse Memorial in S.D. For info, see: https://crazyhorsememorial.org/the-museums/cultural-programs-opportunities or call 605-673-4681, ext. 286.
Thru May 26
Moments of Memory Exhibit
Plein air painting is the art of capturing outdoor scenes from life. Named from the French for “open air,” this form of painting from life moves artists out of the studio to study real landscapes, focusing on how light and shadow interact with things in particular places. Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul. For info, see: https://www.bellmuseum. umn.edu/moments-of-memory-minnesota-landscapes-painted-from-life.
Thru May 27
Reimagining Native/American Art
What happens when Native American and American art is seen together, rather than in separate places? What stories and connections emerge from this new way of being together? These are some of the questions that guided a collaboratively reimagined suite of galleries. This Indigenous-led, consensus-based curatorial experiment is based on Dakota philosophies and ways of being. It includes thematic installations that center “place”, honor the living land, explore the power of relationality and ends with a reflection, inviting visitors to join us in imagining the future we wish to have. Galleries 301-304. Free. For info, see: https://new.artsmia.org/exhibition/reimagining-native-american-art.
Thru Oct 2025
Reframing Our Stories
From a decades-old box of photographs simply labeled “Indians,” came the idea for a powerful new exhibit. Inside the box were dozens of pictures of Native community members, organizations, activities, and events that are relevant today. As part of the Our Home: Native Minnesota exhibit, Reframing Our Stories showcases the strength and resilience of Native people and inspires audiences to learn about the past, present, and future of these communities. Native community members get in free. Minnesota Historical Society, 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul. For info, see: https://www.mnhs.org/ historycenter/activities/museum/our-home/reframing-our-stories.
May 6
American Indian Day on the Hill
Meet and Greet elected tribal leaders and legislators, honoring our elders, Bear Run drum group, networking, lunch provided by Powwow Grounds, acknowledgement of 100th anniversary of Indian Citizenship Act. Speakers include Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan, Senator Mary Kunish, Jerry Dearly (Blessing and MC), and other speakers. 10 am to 1pm. Minnesota State Capitol, 109 Aurora Ave, St Paul. For info, contact: Michele. Poitra@state.mn.us.
May 8
Founders’ Day Open House and Career Fair
Career Fair at 10am, Open House starts at 11am, Program at 11:30 with lunch following program. There will be music, a raffle, community tables, and more. 10am-2pm. Rain or shine. American Indian OIC – Takoda, 1845 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. For info, see: aioic.org.
May 9 – June 13
AL·TER·NA·TIVE: Frank Buffalo Hyde Exhibition
The Native American Community Development Institute presents a solo exhibition featuring a collection of paintings and sculptures from artist Frank Buffalo Hyde (Onondaga/Niimíipuu (Nez Perce). Vivid and pop-culture saturated, his work reflects on the commodification of Indian culture, and the assertive roles for Native American identity in the contemporary world. Opening reception: May 9th from 6pm to 8pm. Artist talk: May 31 from 5pm to 7pm. NACDI, 1414 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. For info, see: https://nacdi.org.
May 9
Native American Adoptees
Mental Health and Health Outcomes for Native American Adoptees webinar. Elder in Residence, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition with Sandy White Hawk (Sicangu Lakota). 12-1pm CST. Webinar – Registration: https://mc-meet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uKkFQJZjTiS8B_R_CNamgQ.
May 10
13th Annual Wanaisguni Hikurus Hajawi 5K Run/Walk
Join us for the 5k run/walk 13th annual Wanaisguni Hikurus Hajawi event! This year’s event will be held in person at Lake Phalen. Lace up your running shoes and get ready to hit the trails with us. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to get active, this event is perfect for all levels of fitness. 5 – 8pm. For info, see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-wanaisguni-hikurus-hajawi-5k-runwalk-tickets-871030173697.
May 11
Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Minneapolis Institute of Arts hosts in-person event featuring works by local teens. For the third year, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will be celebrating its partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and introducing the exhibit in its Community Commons Gallery. Students from the Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource (FAIR) School for the Arts, Highland Park Senior High School, Hopkins High School, Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School (PiM), Perpich Arts High School, Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts (SPCPA), Simley High School, and South High School will attend to see the works they created on Mia’s walls and meet the artists who facilitated their workshops. This year’s exhibition includes approx. 30 works from 26 student artists. Opening reception on at 10:30am – 12pm. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Community Commons Gallery, First Floor, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis. For info, contact Leah Kondes, at 612-270-1563.
May 11 – 12
White Earth Mothers Day Powwow
MCs: Branden Bowstring and Wes Jourdain. ADs: Lucas Hisgun and Jimmy Uran Jr. Host drum: Littlebear. Co-host drum: Smokey Hill. Grand Entries: Saturday at 1 and 7pm, and Sunday at 1pm. Feast on Saturday at 5pm. Shooting Star Event Center, 777 Casino Rd, Mahnomen, MN. For info, contact Orville “Casper” Bower at 218-204-0578.
May 13 – 17
Boarding School Healing Coalition
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition MINNESOTA VIRTUAL GATHERING. As part of the US Department of Interior’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, NABS will be in Minneapolis, MN to gather stories from Indian boarding school survivors to create a permanent oral history collection that will be available to the public. Survivors will have the opportunity to share their lived experiences to help others understand the true history of US Indian boarding schools. On May 7th NABS will be hosting a Virtual Gathering at 12pm. For more info on either event, or to sign up to be interviewed, see: https://boardingschoolhealing.org/oral-history-project or email: OralHistoryProject@nabshc.org.
May 15
Owóžu Mayà Akàŋn Medicine Garden
Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi will be hosting a day of learning at our medicine garden Owóžu Mayà Akàŋn. We will have Carol Charging Thunder join us with some teachings about plant medicines and Fern Renville will lead us in a nettle weaving activity. If there is time at the end of the event, participants are welcome to help with some light weeding and mulching of the garden. We will have light refreshments and snacks!! 5:30-7:30pm. 749 Arkwright St, St Paul. This event is intended for the American Indian community. Email Jenna Grey Eagle at jgreyeagle@wakantipi.org.
May 16
MIWRC Open House
Indian Month Minnesota Indian Women’s resource center Open House! Learn about the programs we are offering, meet staff, community gathering and celebrate Indian Month with MIWRC. Free. 11-3pm. Minnesota Indians Resource Center, 2300 15th Ave S, Minneapolis. For info, contact Graeme Parrish at 612-728-2000 or gparrish@miwrc.org. For see: https://www.miwrc.org.
May 16
Building Capacity for Partnering
Building Capacity for Partnering: How to engage Native Families with Tribal Practices Part 2. This training will introduce social workers, social work students, and attorneys to basic American Indian cultural practices to better serve American Indian families in child welfare. 8:45 am – 1 pm. MAIC, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. Register at: https://building-capacity-part-ii.eventbrite.com
May 17
MEDA Gala: Dream Big, Scale Bigger
The MEDA Gala is a celebration of BIPOC Entrepreneurs and their contributions to the community. Under the theme “Dream Big, Scale Bigger,” the 2024 event will highlight MEDA’s legacy of tackling economic disparities and historical disadvantages by providing services and opportunities for BIPOC entrepreneurs. The MEDA Gala is a unique space where industry leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers can all come together to support, foster and celebrate BIPOC entrepreneurs. A dress-to-impress event, the evening will be emceed by Emmy award-winning journalist Shayla Reaves, an anchor and reporter for WCCO. Highlights will include live entertainment and a silent auction, with proceeds going toward services and programs that support BIPOC businesses. The VIP arrival begins at 5pm., and doors open at 5:30pm. 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at the US Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis. Purchase tickets at meda.net/gala2024.
May 17 – 19
Native Art Market & Showcase
Please join us at The Native Art Market & Showcase during Art-A-Whirl. This year we will be located in and around the sculpture garden at Northrup King in Minneapolis. Over 10,000 people visit over this 3-day event. This is a celebration to showcase the resilience of Native art and artistic talent of our Native communities. Attendees will have the chance to experience live art demonstrations, captivating installations, engaging presentations, and mesmerizing entertainment. The Native Art Market & Showcase will also offer an array of Indigenous food, providing a delightful culinary experience for all visitors. Northrup King Building, Sculpture Garden, 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis. For info see: https://www.mninativeartists.org/native-art-market.
May 18
Seedling Giveaway
Seedling Giveaway: Four Sisters Food Sovereignty and EPIC Spring Welcoming Event. We will celebrate the upcoming growing season with food from Las Cuatro Milpas food truck, music, fun activities from several other community organizations, and seedlings to give away grown in partnership with Dream of Wild Health. We will also hear from candidates for the East Phillips Improvement Coalition board as they kick off their voting process. Come enjoy being in community as we get our gardens started and welcome spring. 11 am: EPIC annual meeting. 12 pm: opening ceremony. 12:30-3 pm: plant giveaway, food and music. 11am–3pm. 2839 17th S Ave, Minneapolis. For info, see: https://nacdi.org/events/seedling-giveaway-four-sisters-food-sovereignty-and-epic-spring-welcoming-event.
May 18
White Earth Powwow
The 1st Annual White Earth Urban Community Council Metro Powwow. Grand entroes: 1 & 6pm. Feast: 5pm. Payouts: 8pm. Traditional powwow. MAIC, 1500 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. For info, contact: Char Lee at 651-262-7602.
May 30
IHB Health Day
Brain health refers to your thinking, understanding, processing, and memory abilities. It also can refer to the things you to do keep your brain healthy and active, like staying physically active and following a healthy diet. Held at the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center, 2307 S 17th Ave, Minneapolis. For info, see: https://www.indianhealthboard.com.
May 31 (deadline)
Bush Prize: Minnesota
Minnesota celebrates organizations that have a culture of innovation and a history of building creative solutions for challenges in Minnesota communities. The Bush Prize award is flexible and can be used to build up reserves, test that next big idea or whatever else would best support the organization’s ongoing good work. The award amount is up to 25% of an organization’s most recent fiscal year expenses, with a maximum of $500,000. For info, see: https://spmcf.org/nonprofits/grants-for-nonprofits/bush-prize-minnesota?utm_campaign.
May 31
Columbia Heights Public Schools Powwow
The Columbia Heights Public Schools’ 10th Annual Community traditional powwow honoring students. MC(s): Shawnee Hunt, CHHS Alum. AD: Norman Benson. Host Drums: Hoka Hey. Invited drum: Little Otter. Dinner at 5:30 (Indian tacos). Grand Entry at 6pm. Dave Larsen Memorial. Mens traditional special. Womens jingle special. Dancers in regalia paid day money. Registration opens at 5 and closes after grand entry. Dinner for the first 300 people will be free. CHHS Football Field, 1400 49th Ave NE, Columbia Heights. For info, call 763-528-4729.
June 28 (deadline)
Good Relatives Collaborative
The 2024 GRC Grant application is now open for Native-led organizations.The following are eligible for grant funding: Native-led, Native-serving organizations with operating budgets under $500,000. Organizations must be serving Native communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. This grant application is for a 12- month term and is considered an unrestricted grant. For info, see: https://www.goodrelativescollaborative.org/grants.
