St. Paul - Ancestral Art - Hmong Weaving & Textile Retreat
2025-06-26 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | XIA Books & 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
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Hampton - Learning from Place: Watt Munisotaram (Cambodian Temple)
2025-07-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Watt Munisotaram, 2925 220th St E, Empire, 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
REGISTRATION FOR THIS IS CLOSED. JOIN OUR WAITLIST.

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

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Little Mekong Cultural District
2026-05-29 15:00 - 18:00 | XIA Books & Cafe, 422 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN, 55103, United States
St. Paul’s Little Mekong Cultural District invites participants into a vibrant Southeast Asian cultural corridor shaped by migration, resilience, and entrepreneurship along University Avenue. Beginning at XIA Books & Cafe, participants are welcomed by community leader Va-Megn Thoj, who grounds the journey in the story of the Mekong River and its connection to identity and place, while guiding the group through the neighborhood. Along the walk, participants encounter the bold, colorful murals by local artist Kao Lee Thao, hear reflections on the Vietnamese refugee experience, and learn how community-rooted organizations continue to support families across generations. The experience comes alive through the sights and smells of a Lao owned local grocery store, where participants sample exotic fruits and learn about favorite rice and fish sauce brands, along with staple ingredients. At the Hmong Cultural Center, participants deepen their understanding of heritage through storytelling and the sound of the qeej, a traditional Hmong instrument whose breath and movement carry ancestral voice and ceremony. The journey continues through local Cambodian and Thai restaurants, where dishes such as somlaw kao kou, a savory Cambodian soup with green papaya, eggplant, and pumpkin, evoke memories, family traditions, and stories of food across generations and borders. The experience closes with group reflection, inviting participants to connect these sensory and human experiences to a deeper understanding of community, culture, and belonging.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA), a non-profit organization whose mission is to create economic and cultural opportunities for Twin Cities Asian American.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Maplewood - Learning from Place: HmongTown Marketplace & Beyond
2026-06-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Pan Asian Center, 3001 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, 55109, United States
This Learning from Place experience offers a rare opportunity to witness the becoming of place through an inspiring vision of founder and CEO of HmongTown Marketplace and Pan Asian Center, Toua Xiong, who dreamed of having a place to call home. Beginning at the Pan Asian Center, participants are welcomed by Yao Yaj, Executive Director of HmongTown Connections who will share 50 years of Hmong resilience and economic contributions while traveling to the iconic HmongTown Marketplace. There, participants step into a vibrant marketplace rooted in culture and tradition, where many vendors and community members are from an older generation, carrying forward cultural knowledge and memories through everyday commerce. Participants experience rows of fresh herbs, traditional goods, and street foods like Hmong sausage, papaya salad, and steamed fish, while sampling exotic fruits and tri color dessert.
The journey returns to Pan Asian Center, where participants will have the opportunity to hear Toua Xiong share his inspiring story surviving the jungles of Laos to mastering English and the hard lessons navigating city codes and permits in his pursuit to create a place to call home. The program ends just in time for participants to experience the full flair of Asian Street Food Night Market.
Through this experience, participants gain tangible insight into how communities evolve over time, how cultural assets can drive economic development, and how investing in place can strengthen identity, expand opportunity, and shape the future for the next generation.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with HmongTown Connections, whose mission is to create spaces where Hmong can live, work, and connect while preserving, teaching, and sharing Hmong history, languages and culture.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Somali South Minneapolis
2026-07-16 15:00 - 18:00 | Somali Museum, 2950 Chicago Ave, Suite C, Minneapolis, 55407, United States
South Minneapolis is home to a vibrant corridor of Somali owned businesses, cultural institutions, and public art that reflect the community’s resilience, cultural pride, and contributions to Minneapolis. This Learning from Place experience begins at the Somali Museum, where participants will learn about Somali cultural heritage and, if scheduling allows, experience traditional dance. The group will then take a short walk to Hoyo Sambusa to sample sambusa and watch a cooking demonstration, where founder Mariam will share the story behind her social enterprise and the cultural significance of sambusa in Somali homes and gatherings.
Participants will continue along the Lake Street corridor with mural artist Guulsan, who will guide a mural walk and share the stories and inspiration behind his artwork, offering insight into how public art expresses community identity and shapes how stories of place are remembered and shared. Along the way, the group will visit Zizi Boutique, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, to learn about Somali fashion and clothing. The experience concludes at the bustling iconic Karmel Mall, a central marketplace for Somali businesses, where participants can explore the shops and continue reflection over warm chai.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is curated by Yusra Mohamud, as a longtime connector within South Minneapolis’s East African community, Yusra brings a rare combination of deep cultural roots and a gift for storytelling that transforms corridors into living narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: St. Paul's West Side Mexican American Culture
2026-07-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Neighborhood House/The Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St E, St. Paul, 55107, United States
Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Latino Museum.
Discover the stories, history, and vibrant culture of St. Paul’s West Side, the heart of Minnesota’s Latino community. This immersive experience focuses on The Flats and the Latino Cultural District, a neighborhood shaped by generations of Mexican Americans, and now home to the future Minnesota Latino Museum.
Minnesota is home to more than 400,000 residents of Mexican and Latino heritage, two-thirds of whom trace their roots to Mexico. Since 2000, Minnesota’s Latino population has grown by 288%, contributing to the state’s cultural, economic, and civic life in countless ways. During this program, participants will learn directly from Latino community members and leaders, exploring the past, present, and future of this important neighborhood.
This Learning from Place experience is guided by Larry Lucio Sr., a long-time resident of St. Paul’s West Side, and Larry Lucio Jr., a descendant of the West Side Flats. Larry Sr. brings a legacy of pioneering educational leadership and systems change, while Larry Jr. engages the next generation through music, poetry, and the arts. Together, they offer a compelling intergenerational perspective that bridges their community history and lived experiences on the West Side.
Event Highlights:

Historical overview of St. Paul’s West Side and future developments
Personal stories from West Side residents
Visit to local businesses in the community
Sampling of Mexican cuisine

K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
Registration
This event begins at Neighborhood House in the Wellstone Center and participants will visit places of significance by bus and light walking.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
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Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Exploring Minnesota’s Religious Landscapes
2026-08-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Temple Israel, 2323 Fremont Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
This Learning from Place experience invites participants to explore Minnesota’s rich religious landscape through visits to three faith communities in the Twin Cities: Temple Israel, Masjid An-Nur (mosque), and The Basilica of St. Mary. Traveling together by bus, participants will engage in guided visits, storytelling, and facilitated dialogue that deepen understanding of how religious traditions shape the cultural, historical, and civic life of our state.
As participants move through each space, they will learn the significance these places hold and consider how identity, migration, and community life intersect in Minnesota.
Throughout the experience, facilitators will provide context and guide reflection, supporting participants in making connections across sites and considering the implications for their own roles in a pluralistic democracy. Time will also be set aside for a shared lunch and informal reflection.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and engage with curiosity and questions.
K-12 Educators will receive 5 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN), a non-profit organization committed to convening and connecting leaders, organizations, and individuals across religious, spiritual, and philosophical differences in Minnesota to cultivate understanding, advance justice, overcome fear, and build a more inclusive and compassionate community.
Registration
Registration coming soon!

Empire - Learning from Place: Watt Munisotaram (Cambodian Temple)
2026-08-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Watt Munisotaram, 2925 220th St E, Empire, 55031, United States
What does it mean to learn from a place shaped by history, migration, and spiritual practice?
This Learning from Place experience invites participants to explore Watt Munisotaram, the largest Cambodian Buddhist temple in the United States, located in the countryside of Empire, Minnesota. Participants will engage with the temple as a living cultural and spiritual site, learning directly from community members, monks, and the landscape itself.
As we move through the temple grounds, we will explore Cambodia’s history and the experiences that brought Cambodian families to Minnesota – home to the fifth-largest Cambodian population in the United States. Through stories and guided exploration, participants will learn how Watt Munisotaram serves as a place of cultural continuity, community connection, and spiritual life.
Participants will hear from community members and Buddhist monks, explore the temple’s architecture and symbolism, enjoy traditional Cambodian foods, and participate in a brief guided meditation as a way to learn about a practice central to Cambodian Buddhist traditions.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Cambodian American Partnership (CAPMN), a non-profit organization committed to building a resilient community that honors Cambodian history by cultivating a sense of belonging.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Somali Cedar Riverside
2026-10-02 09:00 - 11:45 | Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center, 420 South 15th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
Cedar Riverside is the heart of the East African community in Minneapolis and home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States. Over time, Somali Minnesotans have shaped the neighborhood into a vibrant cultural corridor filled with businesses, mosques, and gathering spaces where community life unfolds each day.
Participants will begin at Brian Coyle Community Center and hear from respected community leader Halimo Ainte, who will share reflections on Somali migration, community building, and the transformation of Cedar Riverside into a thriving East African neighborhood. Participants will also visit neighborhood spaces such as a local mosque and nearby businesses that serve as everyday gathering places.
The experience includes a Somali coffee ceremony that reflects the tradition of roasting spices as a vehicle for welcome, conversation, and connection. The learning tour concludes with Somali food samples and reflections.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is curated by Yusra Mohamud, as a longtime connector within South Minneapolis’s East African community, Yusra brings a rare combination of deep cultural roots and a gift for storytelling that transforms corridors into living narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging.
Registration
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Little Africa Plaza
2026-10-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Little Africa Plaza, 678 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 55104, United States
Minnesota is home to a vibrant and growing African diaspora representing many countries, languages, and cultural traditions. In St. Paul, Little Africa has emerged as a cultural corridor where this diversity is expressed and rooted through entrepreneurship, community leadership, art, and food.
Participants will gather at Little Africa Plaza and hear from community leaders and culture bearers about the vision behind the new development and the role of African entrepreneurs in shaping the corridor. The experience will include a cooking demonstration featuring injera, the traditional Ethiopian flatbread and food samples. Through this experience, participants will learn how food traditions carry stories of family, culture, and community.
Participants will also visit the African Museum, Art and Culture Center, where they will learn about ongoing efforts to elevate African art within the Little Africa cultural corridor and explore opportunities to support this vision through volunteer and event participation.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), a non-profit organization that supports African immigrant entrepreneurs and has helped advance the vision for Little Africa Plaza and the surrounding cultural corridor.
Registration
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.
