Ongoing
MAIC Events
See events at the Mpls American Indian Center on their updated website. MAIC events listings: Sewing Circle, Running Club, Drum and Dance, Pickup Basketball, Volleyball, Congregate Dining and more. MAIC, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. See more at: https://www.maicnet.org/upcoming-events.
Thru April 11
Robert DesJarlait Exhibit
Watermark Art Center presents Robert DesJarlait’s exhibit Inaaband Mitigwaki or “Woodland Vision” which depicts, documents, and defines the life of the Ojibwe people as he perceives it visually. Watermark Art Center, 505 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN. For more info, see: watermarkartcenter.org.
Thru May 3
Kite: Wičháhpi Owihahke Waníča Kij Exhibition
Bockley Gallery is honored to open a solo gallery presentation by Kite (Oglala Lakhota). Wičháhpi Owihahke Waníča Kiji extends Kite’s generative relationship to Lakhota ontologies and methodologies with a focus on black holes. Within the artist’s wider care for cosmologyscapes – interactions between human-human and human-nonhuman, land and cosmos, and the spectrum of landhood and beinghood – black holes have multiple material manifestations in the exhibition. Request a preview: emily@bockleygallery.com. Bockley Gallery, 2123 W 21st St, Minneapolis.
April 8 (deadline)
LIFT – Early Career Support for Native Artists
The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation’s LIFT program provides one-year awards to emerging Native artists, offering $15,000 grants, professional development, mentorship, and marketing support to help artists develop and realize new projects. This opportunity is for early-career Native artists looking to advance their practice and establish themselves in their communities. For info: https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/programs/lift
April 12
American Indian Youth with Stethoscopes
Hennepin Healthcare’s Talent Garden initiative is holding its fifteenth Youth Summit, American Indian Youth with Stethoscopes. The event is open to youth ages 12-18 and will take place at the Hennepin Healthcare Clinic and Specialty Center. Check-in begins at 9:00 AM, with the event running from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Underground parking is free. Hennepin Healthcare Clinic and Specialty Center, 715 South 8th Street, Minneapolis. For info and to register: https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/aiyws.
April 12
Minnesota State University Mankato Spring Round Dance
The 2nd Annual Minnesota State University Mankato Spring Traditional Round Dance will be held from 1pm to 6pm at Mankato East High School, 2600 Hoffman Rd, Mankato.
April 16 – May 4
The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow, and The Monk
New Native Theatre will present The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow, and The Monk for fifteen performances at Gremlin Theatre in Saint Paul located at Annex Building, 550 Vandalia Street, #177 from April 16 to May 4, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. All tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested price of $35. For info: https://www.newnativetheatre.org.
APRIL 19
Dagsi Turtle & his sidekick Jisdu Wabbit
Presented as part of the Wish Work Puppet Series of Hinterhands Puppet Company, Dagsi Turtle & his sidekick Jisdu Wabbit race through time and space to bring you a new musical adventure into the Cherokee language. Hop aboard the Turtleship and join Dagsi and Jisdu’s quest to keep alive this endangered Indigenous language, featuring catchy original tunes and out-of-this-world puppet characters. Created and performed by Cherokee Nation citizen Chris Griffith and Shari Aronson, directed by Julie Boada (Anishinabe). Suggested donation of $5-$10 per person at the door. No one will be turned away. 10:30 am AND 1:30pm. Open Eye Theatre, 506 E 24th St, Minneapolis. Suggested donation of $5-15. East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier Street, St. Paul For info: bit.ly/ZPuppets-Tales.
April 25
Duluth Defends Lake Superior
Join us from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Zeitgeist Atrium, 222 E Superior St, Duluth, for an evening of conversation, community, and action to protect Minnesota’s waters. Special guest and water protector State Senator Jen McEwen will speak, along with community leaders sharing ways to stay engaged in defending Lake Superior and other watersheds from pollution and destruction. Enjoy light refreshments and connect with others who are committed to clean water and sustainability. Together, we can organize, advocate, and defend Minnesota waters against corporate threats like copper-nickel mining, one of the country’s most polluting industries, while ensuring a sustainable climate and future for our region. Free.
April 25
Native Nations Fashion Night
This year’s fashion show is a powerful tribute to water, sustainability, and cultural resilience, expressed through the artistry of Indigenous designers from across North America. From the northern shores of Whitesand, Ontario, to the arid landscapes of the Southwest, each collection carries a distinct connection to water. Shop the marketplace filled with the designer’s collections and discover authentically curated accessories and apperal crafted by regional artisans, jam to music from a live DJ, marvel at collections during the fashion show and socialize at the event’s afterparty. InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. See: https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/events-calendar/native-nations-fashion-night
April 26
DIW Fundraiser
Join us for Wambli Soars! Division of Indian Work’s Annual Fundraiser. Enjoy a delicious feast and zero proof beverages catered by Native Harvest. Hosted by local favorite, WCCO-TV reporter Reg Chapman, accompanied by Odia Wood-Krueger, the evening’s exciting program includes Native dancing demonstrations and remarks by DIW’s Executive Director Louise Matson. Live Auction and Fund A Need led by Fladeboe Auctions. See all silent and live auction items and purchase your tickets at our website. 4pm-7pm. Allina MacMillan Health Center, Lake & Chicago, Minneapolis. See: www.diw-mn.org.
April 26
Dakota Plant Relatives
Join us for a panel presentation withTara Perron and her family members to hear about their relationships with the river and Bassett Creek. We will also learn about Betsey St. Clair. She was a Dakota woman who cared for medicinal plants near the Mississippi River and operated a canoe ferry service in the mid-1800s. Now her descendants will discuss her legacy and ways to improve water quality in partnership with native plants. This is a Pay-As-You-Can event. Advance registration is required. The in-person event is limited to 50 people. 11 am – 12:30pm. Mississippi Watershed Managment Organization, 2522 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis. For info, see: https://hennepinhistory.org/event/dakota-plant-relatives-a-discussion-with-tana%C7%A7idan-to-win-and-family
April 26
Osseo Area Schools 28th Annual Indian Education Pow Wow – Contest
MC: Ricky White. AD: Rocky Makes Room For Them. Host Drum: Mato Pejuta (Santee, NE). Grand Entry at 1pm, Senior Honoring at 2pm, Feast at 5pm. Osseo Middle School, 10223 93rd Ave N, Osseo, MN.
April 29 – May 17
Jonathan Thunder: The Artist as Storyteller
An exhibition of paintings by artist Jonathan Thunder. Thunder is known for his surreal paintings, digitally animated films, and installations that explore personal experience, mythology, history, and social commentary. Exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. Call 612-624-7530 upon arrival to gain access to the gallery through the building’s main entrance on 21st Avenue South. Quarter Gallery, Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota, 405 21st Ave S., Minneapolis, MN. For info, see: https://cla.umn.edu/art/news-events/news/jonathan-thunder-artist-storyteller.
April 30 (deadline)
Seeing Youth Artists for Design Logos
We are seeking youth artists to develop custom logo graphics for our new offices in The 428 Building in downtown St. Paul, MN. This opportunity is open to past or current Bush grantees who work with youth in our grantmaking region. We will provide a grant of $10,000 to each selected organization for their role in engaging the artists and facilitating the submission of images to us. We also will pay individual youth artists $300 for each image we select to use. If you have questions: Kari Ruthat kruth@bushfoundation.org.
May 3
South of the River Powwow
The 8th Annual South of the River Traditional Powwow. Grand entry at 1pm. Burnsville High School Gym, 600 State Hwy 13, Burnsville, MN.
May 8
Jonathan Thunder Public Program & Reception
The George Morrison Center for Indigenous Arts at the University of Minnesota presents Jonathan Thunder: The Artist as Storyteller, a solo exhibition featuring fifteen artworks from 2016 to 2024, plus a newly commissioned large-scale painting, Out to Sea: The Dreamer (2025). Program: 6:00 – 7:00pm. Reception: 7:00 – 9:00pm Outdoors (weather permitting), in conjunction with the BFA Thesis and BA Capstone exhibitions. InFlux Space, Regis Center for Art E110. For more info: https://cla.umn.edu/art/galleries-public-programs/quarter-gallery.
May 18
Indigenous Arts and Crafts Fair
Celebrate American Indian Month at the Indigenous Arts and Crafts Fair! Shop unique items from local Native artists, enjoy Native performances, participate in hands-on activities, and explore delicious offerings from Indigenous food trucks. 10 AM – 2 PM. Bloomington Civic Plaza – North Entrance, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington. For info: mmorrison@bloomingtonmn.gov
May 31 (deadline)
Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship
The Ethel Curry American Indian Leadership Scholarship (ECS) is an annual award administered by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This scholarship is meant to aid American Indian students in their pursuit of higher education opportunities. Awards generally range from $1000-$5000 per academic year, but may vary. This scholarship is considered gap-funded as it can cover remaining costs after all other financial aid has been applied. The scholarship is open from March 1 to May 31 annually. Submissions accepted beginning March 1. Submit items to: MDE.EthelCurryScholarship@state.mn.us. See: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/indian/ethelcurry
