News Briefs – August 2018
Vacant lot becomes outdoor classroom and garden A vacant lot at Takoda Prep, the alternative high school at American Indian OIC in south Minneapolis, has been converted into an outdoor classroom and pollinator garden by students in the summer school program. Takoda Prep is housed and operated by AIOIC, 1845 E. Franklin Ave. in the […]
What’s new in the community – August 2018
Walker forms Indigenous Public Art selection committee In cooperation with a group of Native curators, knowledge keepers, artists, and arts professionals, including individuals of Dakota descent and enrollment, the Walker Art Center has established an Indigenous Public Art Selection Committee. The committee is currently working with the Walker to shape a process and ultimately select […]
Powwow Calendar – August 2018
Aug. 10-12 2018 Grand Portage Celebration Powwow The annual Grand Rendezvous and Powwow at Grand Portage includes reenactors from across the country and Canada as they gather to camp and challenge each other to games and skills from the past, along with the powwow. Friday: 10am is Great Hall-Rendezvous Days Powwow welcome, Bingo at 4pm, […]
It Ain’t Easy Being Indian – August 2018
By Ricey Wild My Unk Koon came by the other day. He walked up to my door, came in and slapped an uncovered fish filet into my left hand. He turned to leave only saying, “It’s lake trout”. So I’m standing there bemused, looking at this beautiful filet in my palm for a minute or […]
Dream of Wild Health’s entrepreneurial path to farming, education, community
By Lee Egerstrom For some, Dream of Wild Health (DWH) is viewed as an organic, indigenous food farm in Hugo, north of the Twin Cities metro area. Others see it as a food and health education group while still others see it as an engine for community building within the Twin Cities Native communities. That’s […]
Native youth poetry contest winners announced
The Native Youth Poetry Contest, a Twin Cities effort to encourage and publish the voices of young Native poets, has chosen the winners of its first contest. The contest was initiated and coordinated by Dr. Lydia Caros, former CEO and pediatrician of the Native American Community Clinic. Native American author/poet Heid Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) […]
“Horse Nation” artwork about as good as art gets. Anywhere.
By Deborah Locke Sometimes I have trouble telling you what is really good. That’s because so much of Indian Country is amazing, and if I come off as consistently thrilled, I lose credibility. Still, the last year of writing reviews for The Circle confirms two things. First, great art moves you long beyond the time […]
Political Matters: July 2018
By Mordecai Specktor The next Standing Rock Following the June 28 decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline project, Gov. Mark Dayton emailed a statement to the press. “Many people hold passionate views on this project,” said Dayton. “I urge everyone to express themselves peacefully. The […]
Community Calendar: June 2018
Thru Sept. 3 Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces Exhibit “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces,” exhibit explores the stories of Native men and women in the military throughout history. Created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, this banner exhibit shares how Native people have fought […]
Health inequities for American Indians, POC cause loss of life and dollars
By Lee Egerstrom A study by University of Minnesota researchers shows health inequities for American Indians and other minority groups are costing Minnesota businesses and the entire state economy as much as $2.26 billion each year. That dollar amount comes on top of research findings showing 766 lives could be saved annually if Minnesota eliminated […]
Native Concrete and Masonry overcomes challenges and bad timing
By Lee Egerstrom It’s hard to imagine being fast on your feet when dealing with concrete and masonry materials, but it got Charles (Charley) Minotte and his Native Concrete & Masonry Inc. through the Great Recession and moving forward during the recovery that followed. Few industries are as impacted by economic trends as construction – […]
#Not Your Princess dispels myths about Indian women
#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Charleyboy (Editor) and Leatherdale (Editor) Annick Press September 2017 Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7-12 Paperback: 112 pages Review by Deborah Locke Once in a while a girl who is about 14 needs to be reminded that she is strong, she is beautiful, that she will […]