Minnesota Humanities Center

Learning from Place: LGBTQ+ History in Downtown Minneapolis
2023-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Loring Community Arts Center, 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Minneapolis-Saint Paul is far from being flyover country; our metro area has some of the richest and deepest LGBTQ+ history in all of North America. Grow your understanding of this history with an interactive, in-person walking tour of downtown/central Minneapolis, an area deeply entangled with LGBTQ+ people’s stories, movements, and place in the world.
Be immersed by traveling through downtown Minneapolis, interspersing history with storytelling from local LGBTQ+ activists and artists. Learn about how down-and-out drifters in the notorious Gateway District helped shape a Twin Cities gay identity, how lesbians threw parties in deserted industrial warehouses, how gay and lesbian political power was built in response to police raids, and how one of the first Pride festivals grew from a ragtag group marching up Nicollet Mall.
We hope you’ll come along!
This event is a collaboration with Telling Queer History.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
This experience involves approximately 2 miles of walking and standing, starting and ending at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Audio headsets will be provided for amplification of the tour guide and storytellers.
This event is open to all. Members of Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community are welcome to register using promo code LGBTQ-HISTORY to waive the fee if they wish.
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for all Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the promo code FEEWAIVER.
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Learning from Place: St. Paul's Little Africa
2023-07-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Snelling Cafe and Restaurant, 638 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 55104
Minnesota is home to over 150,000 Africans, including the largest Somali population outside of Africa. Yet, many people are not aware of the rich cultural traditions and assets African immigrants and refugees bring to the vibrancy of our state. Build your cultural understanding and awareness of Minnesota’s East African cultures as you immerse yourself within St. Paul’s Little Africa cultural corridor. This interactive, in-person experience will include an Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Sabrina’s Cafe & Deli, a tour of several African-owned businesses, and lunch at the Eritrean-owned Snelling Cafe.
This event is a collaboration with African Economic Development Solutions.
Registration
Space is limited to 40 participants.
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Members of Minnesota’s African communities are welcome to register using promo code LITTLEAFRICA to waive the fee if they wish.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote
2023-09-09 08:30 - 14:30 | Indian Mounds Regional Park, 10 Mounds Blvd, St. Paul, 55106
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the general public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Indian Mounds Park in St. Paul. We will also be visiting Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required) and Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks and beverages.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Indigenous people of this place have the longest relationship to the land. Because of the nature of this program and experience, the fee is waived for indigenous participants. Contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org before registering.
This experience involves nearly 1.5 miles of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We do provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides and to support social distancing. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT. We are no longer accepting registrations for the Waitlist.
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

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Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Cedar-Riverside/West Bank
2024-04-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center, 420 South 15th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
The Cedar-Riverside/West Bank neighborhood in Minneapolis is one of the most diverse communities in the Midwest, with a longstanding tradition of activism, cultural diversity, and the arts. The neighborhood has long been a landing place for newly arrived immigrants, with some moving on and some settling in the West Bank more permanently. Today the neighborhood is home to a large East African community, including Somali, Ethiopian, and Oromo people who live alongside neighbors and descendants from earlier waves of immigration. The West Bank continues to welcome new arrivals. Build your cultural understanding during this interactive, in-person experience that includes a walking tour with several stops led by Abdirizak Bihi, host of KFAI’s Somali Link Radio. A food sample from a local restaurant will be provided.
K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.
This event is a collaboration with Pillsbury United Communities/Brian Coyle Center.
Registration
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Space is limited to 40 participants.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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Learning from Place: Hmong St. Paul
2024-05-04 08:30 - 13:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us for an immersive journey into the heart of St. Paul’s vibrant Hmong community! St. Paul is home to the largest Hmong population in the United States, with deep roots on the East Side. Our guide for the day is Chong Yang, a high school educator who grew up in the neighborhood after coming to Minnesota at the age of six from a refugee camp in Thailand. Our day begins and ends at the Minnesota Humanities Center. During a short bus tour, Chong will share insights and stories while pointing out Hmong businesses and landmarks, such as the Minnesota Memorial to The Special Forces in Laos, commemorating the Hmong involvement in the Southeast Asia War. Our first destination is the Hmong Cultural Center Museum where we will hear a special presentation and have time to explore the exhibits showcasing the rich heritage, traditions, and contributions of the Hmong people in Minnesota. Next, we will visit the iconic HmongTown Marketplace, home to 125 small businesses and food vendors. We will meet the owner and learn about his incredible story, followed by a guided tour of the bustling market. There will be time for independent shopping and lunch.
This is a collaboration with Hmong Cultural Center and HmongTown Marketplace.
K-12 educators will receive 4 clock hours.
Registration
Space is limited to 45 participants.
Please note: Registration cost does not include food. Participants are encouraged to support the financial recovery of small businesses by making purchases from the businesses they learn about on the tour. We recommend bringing cash, as not all vendors accept credit cards.
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
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St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2024-05-18 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Indian Mounds Regional Park, followed by a visit to the Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Reuben Kitto Stately
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Reuben Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation and a member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. He is an artist, composer, and rapper who performs under the name Kitto. He is a graduate of Augsburg University with a BA in American Indian Studies and a lifelong Dakhóta language learner. Reuben has been a member of the Minnesota Indian Education Board of Directors since 2019.
There will be about one mile of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

Learn More
Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
Watch Now

St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2024-06-10 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Indian Mounds Regional Park, followed by a visit to the Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Marlena Myles
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Marlena Myles is an enrolled Spirit Lake Dakota artist located in St Paul, Minnesota. Her art brings modernity to Indigenous history, languages and oral traditions while using the land as a teacher. She has installed three site-specific augmented reality public art installations: the Dakota Spirit Walk (Saint Paul), the Sacred Hoop Walk (MN Landscape Arboretum) and the Wodakota Walk (Caponi Art Park). In 2023, she was awarded the Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship, Joyce Award and Rise25 Mozilla Honoree.
There will be about one mile of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT
Join the Waitlist
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

Learn More
Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
Watch Now

St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2025-05-17 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Indian Mounds Regional Park, followed by a visit to the Pilot Knob Preservation Site. We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Fern Naomi Renville
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Fern Naomi Renville is an artist, storyteller, enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, and seventh-generation descendant of Chief Gabriel Renville. Born on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota, Fern currently lives and works in Saint Paul as an educator sharing music, story, and land-based learning to promote greater understanding and knowledge of Dakota people.
There will be about one mile of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

Learn More
Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
Watch Now

St. Paul - Ancestral Art - Hmong Weaving & Textile Retreat
2025-06-26 09:00 - 16:00 | XIA Gallery & Cafe, 422 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN, 55103, United States
Join us for a daylong retreat with master weaver from Thailand, Ms. Li Sawangcharoensap (Lig Yaaj). Her presence will offer rare, hands-on opportunities for Hmong Americans and the broader community to engage directly with an ancestral art form that has largely remained unseen outside Southeast Asia. We are excited to collaborate with RedGreen Rivers, Minnesota Hmong Museum, and Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota to host a unique daylong retreat in the ancestral art of traditional Hmong weaving.
A delicious Southeast Asian lunch will be served. Participants are welcome to wear clothing representing their cultural heritage.
Due to limited weaving tools, space is limited to 20 adults.
Children are welcome to join their guardian at no additional cost but may be limited to commercial art projects and supplies. Child spots are limited to 10. Please contact MayKao Fredericks at maykao@mnhum.org to reserve a spot for your child.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours.

About Ms. Li Sawangcharoensap (Lig Yaaj)
Ms. Li Sawangcharoensap (Lig Yaaj) is a master practitioner of the traditional Hmong art of processing and weaving hemp by hand—a centuries-old craft now endangered by industrialization and displacement. As a member of the Hemp Weaving Group of Khiri Rat, she has dedicated her life to preserving and revitalizing this intricate practice, which includes cultivating, harvesting, retting, spinning, and weaving hemp fiber entirely by hand. Her expertise and lived experience uniquely position her to educate others about this vital cultural heritage. In 2024, her work was featured by RedGreen Rivers in Cloth Origins: Textiles from the Hmong Journey at the prestigious John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Ms. Sawangcharoensap’s upcoming visit to Minnesota and Wisconsin will be her first time to the U.S. and will include a series of events celebrating Hmong women as cultural bearers and tradition keepers.
Registration
If cost is a barrier, please contact MayKao Fredericks at maykao@mnhum.org before registering. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Please register early and contact us if you are no longer able to attend.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Hampton - Learning from Place: Watt Munisotaram (Cambodian Temple)
2025-07-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Watt Munisotaram, 2925 220th St E, Hampton, 55031, United States
Join us for an immersive cultural learning experience at Watt Munisotaram, the largest Cambodian Buddhist temple in the United States, located in the serene countryside of Hampton, Minnesota. Hosted in collaboration with the Cambodian American Partnership of Minnesota, this event offers a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of history, spirituality, and community within one of Minnesota’s most vibrant cultural landmarks.

Event Highlights

Historical Context: Gain insight into Cambodia’s complex history, including the impact of the Khmer Rouge genocide and the Vietnam War, which led many Cambodians to seek refuge in Minnesota.
Temple Origins & Architecture: Discover the origins of Watt Munisotaram and explore its stunning architecture. Learn how the temple was established and how it continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the Cambodian American community.
Guided Tour: Walk the temple grounds with community members who will share their knowledge and experiences, offering a deeper understanding of the site’s cultural and religious significance.
Community Voices: Listen to personal stories from Cambodian Americans and hear directly from temple monks about their spiritual practices and daily lives.
Cambodian Cuisine: Enjoy a tasting of traditional Cambodian treats—an essential part of the cultural experience.

Minnesota is home to the fifth-largest Cambodian population in the United States, with approximately 12,000 Cambodian Americans—most residing in the Twin Cities metro area.

This event offers a powerful way to engage with community while learning about Cambodian history, culture, and spirituality in a welcoming and enriching environment.

Learn about Watt Munisotaram in the first segment on Buddhism from Prayers on the Prairie: Asian-Pacific Minnesota Religious Practices, an educational video produced in partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans.

K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours

Registration
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Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

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St. Paul – Learning from Place: Bdote
2025-09-13 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Participants will learn from Dakota community members through stories and histories that have often been left out of our state’s history. This experience is open to the public and is particularly beneficial for educators who want to include new perspectives in their history curriculum.
Learning from Place: Bdote will begin at Fort Snelling State Park (parking permit is required). After a break for “lunch on your own,” we will meet at Wicaḣapi (pronounced we-CHA-ha-pee; formerly Indian Mounds Regional Park), followed by a visit to the Oȟéyawahe/Pilot Knob Preservation Site (pronounced oh-HAY-ya-wa-hee). We will be outside the entire time. Participants need to provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
There will be about 1.5 miles of walking throughout the day, sometimes on unpaved paths, as well as standing for periods of time. We will provide audio headsets for amplification of the tour guides. For specific inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Fern Naomi Renville
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Fern Naomi Renville is an artist, storyteller, enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, and seventh-generation descendant of Chief Gabriel Renville. Born on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota, Fern currently lives and works in Saint Paul as an educator sharing music, story, and land-based learning to promote greater understanding and knowledge of Dakota people.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
Join the Waitlist
Want to know more about Learning from Place: Bdote?
Learn more about the Learning from Place: Bdote offering.

Learn More
Watch Learning from Place: Bdote, a video produced to celebrate 10 years of this powerful program.
Watch Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote for Educators
2025-09-20 08:30 - 15:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
This special session, offered in partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools, is designed for 4th–7th grade teachers and district administrators. Space is limited.
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive, place-based learning experience that brings participants to sites of deep significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities. Through stories shared by Dakota community members, educators will engage with histories and perspectives that are often absent from our state’s narrative.
Sites visited:

Fort Snelling State Park
Wicaḣapi (we-CHA-ha-pee; formerly Indian Mounds Regional Park)
Oȟéyawahe/Pilot Knob Preservation Site (oh-HAY-ya-wa-hee)

Coach bus transportation will be provided, beginning and ending at the Minnesota Humanities Center. Participants need to bring their own lunch, beverages, and snacks.
The day will take place entirely outdoors and includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking, sometimes on unpaved paths, and standing for extended periods. Audio headsets will be provided for clear listening. For questions about accessibility, please contact Eden Bart at eden@mnhum.org or 651-772-4261.
Your co-leads: Ramona Kitto Stately and Fern Naomi Renville
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the Recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, currently serves as 2023’s Indigenous Elder in Residence for Carleton College, and McKnight Culture Bearers Award Recipient in March 2023.
Fern Naomi Renville is an artist, storyteller, enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, and seventh-generation descendant of Chief Gabriel Renville. Born on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota, Fern currently lives and works in Saint Paul as an educator sharing music, story, and land-based learning to promote greater understanding and knowledge of Dakota people.
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

St. Paul – Celebrating Native Language and Culture Through the Joy of Games
2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Put the cellphones away and join us for an evening of fun, food, and cultural connection. This National Native American Heritage Month, the Minnesota Humanities Center welcomes Tony Drews and Nashke Native Games for a lively, intergenerational game night.
Unlike mainstream board games that reflect dominant cultural experiences, Nashke Native Games center Ojibwe language, stories, and values, offering a playful way to engage with culture, strengthen family and community bonds, and support language preservation. The evening begins with a light dinner from Trickster Tacos and conversation from 6:00–6:30 p.m., followed by games starting at 6:30 p.m.
As part of the evening, guests will also have a chance to participate in a raffle for prizes, including items from Nashke Native Games and books from Native American Lives, the Minnesota Humanities Center’s biography series highlighting Native voices. One title, “Charles Albert Bender: National Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher,” tells the story of Bender and his passion for baseball – a reminder that games, in all forms, bring people together.
Educators and cultural leaders will discover practical ideas for integrating play into classrooms and community work. Whether you come with family, friends, or on your own, you’ll leave with new words, fresh insights, and a deeper appreciation for the power of play in preserving culture and fostering connection. Everyone is welcome—families, educators, and community members ages 10 and up.
K-12 Educators will receive 2 clock hours.
Registration
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you in the order received.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Join the Waitlist

St. Paul - From Mountains to Lakes: The Museums We Carry
2025-12-03 08:00 - 16:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Across mountains, oceans, generations, and borders, the Hmong people have carried songs, textiles, and rituals that tell the stories of their identity for hundreds of years. Elders serve as living museums, passing knowledge from one generation to the next. Yet what happens when that transfer is disrupted, when younger generations reach for knowledge through the internet or AI, without understanding that Hmong truths live in many forms, shaped by clan, dialect, nationalism, and landscapes across the globe?
From Mountains to Lakes: The Museums We Carry is a daylong retreat that brings together Hmong cultural bearers, educators, and community leaders to examine the dangers of cultural extinction and explore collective ways to preserve identity. Held at the Hoċokata Ti Cultural Center, participants will engage in a guided learning experience led by members of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, reflecting on how Indigenous peoples sustain culture, language, and identity across generations. The retreat concludes with a collective reflection on the challenges ahead and a call to action to carry these living museums forward together.
Agenda:

8:00am Check-in at Minnesota Humanities Center, light continental breakfast will be served (8:00am – 8:45am)
8:45am Load Bus
9:00am Travel to Hocokata Ti Culture Center (Shakopee, MN)
9:45am Culture & Exhibit Tour (indoor & outdoor)
Noon Indigenous Lunch & Culture Exchange Panel Discussion
2:00pm Depart Hocokata Ti Culture Center and return to MHC
3:00pm Reflection
4:00pm Adjourn

K-12 Educators will receive 4 clock hours. Participants are welcome to wear traditional clothing.
Registration
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
