Thru Oct 5
Arikara Proper Exhibit
Arikara Proper is a solo exhibition featuring a collection of paintings from artist J. White (Arikara). A self-taught painter, White shares her culture through the lens of an urban Indian. White’s work depicts and celebrates her Northern Plains culture, while capturing and exploring obscure emotions through abstract expressionism. A narrative painter who works exclusively in acrylic, White uses vibrant, colorful hues and signature stylistics allowing color to shape form and subject. Through recurring representational elements of stars, quilts, buffaloes, horses and Native women, White showcases empowerment and highlights culture-driven storytelling. For info, see: https://nacdi.org/events/opening-reception-j-white-arikara-proper.
August 8
Mille Lacs Indian Museum Open House
Stop by to explore the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post during our annual Open House! The historic site is open for special Sunday hours and is free for everyone, all day! Visit the exhibits, including the popular Four Seasons Room with life-size dioramas. Then, head next door to shop for American Indian arts and crafts at the Trading Post. The site will be open from 10 am-5 pm. Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, 43411 Oodena Dr. Onamia. For info, see: https://www.mnhs.org/events/1567 or call 320-532-3632.
August 8, 15, 22, 29
Four Sisters Farmers Market
The Four Sisters Farmers Market is an Indigenous-focused farmers market that provides increased access to affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate local foods within the American Indian Cultural Corridor. Held every Thursday from 11am to 3pm in the parking lot. We welcome and accept SNAP/EBT benefits, Market Bucks, Gus Produce Market Bucks, cash, and cards. In partnership with Hunger Solutions, Four Sisters can match up to $10 of SNAP/EBT benefits. Spend $10 and we will give you $20 more! Stop by the market manager’s table to learn more about this opportunity. NACDI, 1414 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. For info, see: https://nacdi.org/programs/food-sovereignty/farmers-market.
August 9 – 11
Grand Portage Rendezvous Days and Powwow
Music, dancing, craft demonstrations, and hands-on workshops ensure an exciting visit to Grand Portage National Monument. Admission is free. Visitors are not required to wear period clothing. Come as you are. No vendors, demonstrations only. No pets (except service animals). The Rendezvous Days Powwow will be held at the same time, hosted by the Grand Portage Band, and is located just up the road within walking distance of the Monument. For questions about the Powwow, including vendors, please email Brittany Anderson at the offices of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Service animals are allowed outside of the arena. For info, call 218-475-0123. Or see: https://www.nps.gov/grpo/planyourvisit/aboutrendezvousdays.html.
August 9 – 11
Pine Point Traditional Powwow
Thursday at 4 is a Community picnic. Friday at 1 is a Rez car parade. Friday at 5 is Demo derby. Saturday at 8:30 is Joe Bush 5K Run. Saturday at 10 is Flag raising. Saturday at 1pm and 7pm is Grand Entry. Saturday at 5pm is the Feast. Sunday at 1pm is Grand Entry. Pine Point Township. For info, see: https://visitdetroitlakes.com/event/pine-point-pow-wow-august-9-11th.
August 11
Pollinator Festival 2024
Join us for a day of celebrating environmental stewardship and Indigenous cultures! This year’s festival will feature performances by Kobe Jordan, Hobawea Nahish, and returning to Pollinator Festival for the third consecutive year are Jada Lynn and Downtown Jada Brown! There will be dance performances by queer-led traditional Mexica dance group Kalpulli Tlaloctecuhtli, as well as traditional powwow dance performances by Gakaabikaang Dance Troupe with Imnizaska Drum Group. This free family-friendly festival will have environmental education activities, Native-owned small businesses, live music, food trucks, plant walks, canoeing, and more. Phalen Park Pavilion & Ampitheater, 1600 Phalen Dr, Saint Paul. For info, see: www.wakantipi.org
August 15
IHB Back to School Youth Health Carnival
Lunch, fun activities, giveaways, community organizations. School supplies and backpacks with a Well Child Check. Carnival from 11am to 2pm. Well Child Checks and Dental Exams from 9am to 5pm. Call to schedule an appointment at 612-721-9800. Indian Health Board, 1315 E 24th St, Minneapolis, For info, see: https://www.indianhealthboard.com.
August 16 – 18,
Mille Lacs 58th Annual Traditional Powwow
MCs: Joel Syrette and Mike Sullivan. ADs: Percy Benjamin and Melvin Buckholtz. Host Drums: Indian Hill and Little Otter. Invited: Young Kingbird, Cedar Creek, Pipe Stone, and Crazy Elk. Grand entries at Friday 7pm, Saturday 1pm and 7pm, and Sunday at 1pm. 16501, 16587 Zhaaboshkang Neyaashiing Miikanaans, Onamia. For info, contact Nick Cash at 320-630-3332.
August 16 – 18
2024 SMSC Wacipi
Representing dozens of tribes from across the United States and Canada, dancers dressed in traditional regalia compete for top honors in various dance style categories and age groups, while drum groups and singers surround the perimeter of the arena. Native American artists and crafters display traditional beadwork, jewelry, and handmade goods, while food vendors offer a variety of tasty, authentic meals and treats. Free admission. Grand entries: Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 1pm and 7pm, and Sunday at 1pm. 3212 Dakotah Parkway, Shakopee. For info, see: https://www.smscwacipi.org/experience/2024-wacipi.
August 17
Native American Game Day: Learn to Play Chunky
Visitors will get a chance to play the game of chunky, a sport enjoyed by the people of Americas’ first cities 1,000 years ago. Chunky is a game that involves rolling discs across the ground and throwing spears as close to the disc’s resting point as possible. It’s a great game to play out under the summer skies and on the summer grasses. 1-3pm. Jeffers Petroglyphs, 27160 County Road 2 Comfrey. For info see: https://www.mnhs.org/jefferspetroglyphs
August 18
Mille Lacs Indian Museum Fun Run
Join the staff from the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post at the Mille Lacs Powwow Grounds for the annual Fun Walk/Run from 9-10:30 am. Sign up at the pavilion in the vendor area, grab a ticket with your shirt size, then run or walk a mile to earn a free T-shirt! 9am to 10:30am. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Powwow Grounds, 16587 Zhaaboshkang Neyaashiing Miikanaans, Onamia. For info, see: https://www.mnhs.org/events/1536
August 24
Marcie Rendon and Denise Sweet
The Indigenous Writer Series will host author Marcie Rendon and poet Denise Sweet. The Indigenous Writer Series showcases local and regional Indigenous writers. Marcie Rendon (White Earth Ojibwe) is a author, playwright, poet, and freelance writer, and community arts activist. She is an award-winning author of a fresh new murder mystery series, and also has an extensive body of fiction and nonfiction works. Denise Sweet is Professor Emerita of UW-Green Bay, and served as the second Poet Laureate for the state of Wisconsin (2005-2008). Her book Songs For Discharming won the Council for Wisconsin Writer’s Posner Award for poetry in 1998. Other publications include Know By Heart (1990), Days of Obsidian, Days of Grace (1992). Sweet has served as poet-in-residence in various venues such as Grand Marais Art Colony in Minnesota, the Apostle Island National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin, and Split Rock Arts Program in Duluth. 2pm to 4pm. Free. Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center at AICHO. For info, see: https://www.aicho.org/indigenous-writer-series.html.
August 25
Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the MN State Fair
NATIFS is hosting Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park at the MN State Fair again. Main stage programming runs from 9-5 pm CT which will include musical entertainment, food education, and displays of Indigenous culture. Plus, NATIFS will have over a dozen organizations from around the community joining all day with interactive activities and providing information and resources. It’ll be a ton of fun and we will see thousands of people pass through the space. The schedule for the day is:
• 9am: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Opening Ceremony and Drum Circle.
• 9:45am: Introduction to NĀTIFS, IFL and Owamni.
• 10:30am: Buffalo Presentation.
• 11:15am: Traditional Food Preservation Demonstration. Edible & Medicinal Drum Circle.
• 12:30pm: Edible & Medicinal Plants.
• 1:15 pm: Lacrosse Demonstration.
• 2pm: Skit: Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask.
• 2:45pm: Buffalo Weavers Musical Performance.
• 3:30 pm: Aztec Dance Group.
• 4:45 pm: Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Closing Drum Group. Minnesota State Fair, Dan Patch Park area, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 25
Traditional Food Preservation Demonstration
Luke and Linda Black Elk will demonstrate traditional Indigenous food presrevation techniques that will take you from the abundant summer months through long winters. This will highlight the delicious and nutritious Dakota staple food known was Wasna. 11:15am – 12pm. Part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 25
Edible & Medicinal Plants
Linda Black Elk provides education on foraging in Minnesota. She will highlight the plants that can be found all over the fairgrounds. Helpers will hand out a scavenger hunt for people to find these plants and winners will receive a prize. 12:30pm – 1 pm. Part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 25
Lacrosse Demonstration
The Twin Cities Native Lacrosse Association will provide an overview on this game and hands-on learning. 1:15pm – 1:45pm. Part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 25
Buffalo Presentation
Representatives from the Red Lake Nation Department of Agriculture discuss the cultural significance and traditional uses of the buffalo. 10:30am – 11:00am. Part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 25
Aztec Dance Group
Performance by The Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue (“Precious Mother Earth”), a Kalpulli (“learning community”) of Indigenous people, will share the tradition of Aztec dance. KetzalCoatlicue pursues this spiritual, mental and physical vocation with music from the sacred drum, conch shells, seeds and other instruments made from the natural environment. Group members range in age from toddlers to elders. 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Dan Patch Park. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 26
Red Tree Drum Group
Red Tree Singers is from the Lower Sioux community in southwestern Minnesota. Members have danced, sung and drummed in ceremonies, sundances and powwows all their lives. Part of Mental Health Awareness at Dan Patch Park. 8:30am. Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul. For more info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org.
August 30 – Sept 2
Annual O-Bah-Shiing Labor Day Contest Powwow
MCs: Keveon Kingbird and Howie Thompson. ADs: Mark R. Kingbird Sr. and Harlan Stillday. Host Drums: Young Kingbird, PTown, Kingbird Singers. Grand entries: Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 1pm and 7pm, Sunday at 1pm and 7pm, and Monday at 1pm. Ponemah Powwow Grounds, Red Lake Reservation, Ponemah. For info, call Wayne Johnson at 218-556-8329.
Sept 1
Native American Music and Arts Festival
A day filled with music and art for everyone. There will be over two dozen artists and demonstrators that will be sharing information about their artwork. There will also be Native American musicians performing throughout the day, including hand drum songs and our headliner, Keith Secola. Food trucks will be serving refreshments and indigenous foods. 10am to 5pm. Free. Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post, 43411 Oodena Dr, Onamia.
Sept 1-2
Native Pride Dancers
An internationally known high-energy dance troupe, Native Pride Dancers create beautiful and powerful expressions in movement, sharing stories through dance and song that feature an innovative blend of modern and traditional Native American dance styles. The performers’ rich cultural heritage is also reflected in their authentic regalia that honors the elders and legacy of their nations. 3:15pm – 4pm, 4:30pm – 5:15pm, 5:45pm – 6:30pm. International Bazaar Stage., MN State Fair, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. For info, see: https://www.mnstatefair.org/schedule/native-pride-dancers.
Sept 13-15
Mendota Mdewakanton Traditional Powwow
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota 27th Traditional Wacipi Powwow will start on Friday at 6pm with a potluck (bring dish to share) Grand Entries are on Saturday at 1pm and 7pm, and Sunday at 1pm. Feast on Sunday at 5:30. St. Peters Church Grounds, 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy 55120, Mendota. For info see: www.mendotadakota.com.
