Minnesota Humanities Center

Columbia Heights - NUESTRO NORTE Community Screening
2026-05-20 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Heights Theater, 3951 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421, United States
Join us for the public premiere and celebration of NUESTRO NORTE.
NUESTRO NORTE is a cinematic portrait of five community leaders from across metro and greater Minnesota, their lived stories interwoven with symbolic fiction scenes and original musical performances. More than a documentary, the film seeks to offer a collective vision, celebrating Latine leadership while reflecting on history, diversity, community investment, innovation, and the strength of intergenerational ties.
The evening will feature a panel reflection with cast members and special acknowledgements.
This project was produced in collaboration with LatinoLEAD, Dual Studios, and the talented film director Martín Blanco with guidance from the project’s Task Force: Sandy Vargas, Elsa Vega Perez, and Jessica Lopez Lyman.
To learn more about hosting a private screening, please contact MayKao Fredericks at maykao@mnhum.org.

Registration
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Join the Waitlist

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

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote
2026-06-23 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is a place-based experience led by Dakota community members at sites of deep significance in the Twin Cities. Participants engage with Dakota history and contemporary perspectives through story, observation, and shared reflection.
This experience is open to the general public and is particularly beneficial for educators and others seeking to deepen their understanding of Minnesota history and Dakota perspectives. Due to the nature of the content and the length of the day, this experience is not recommended for young children.
For more information, visit the Learning from Place: Bdote program page.

Co-Leads (click to expand/collapse)
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 and the 2023 McKnight Culture Bearers Award. She currently serves on the Indigenous Elder Advisory Board for Carleton College.
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.

What to Expect (click to expand/collapse)

You will visit Bdote (Fort Snelling State Park)* in the morning and Wic̣aḣapi** in the afternoon, with a break for lunch on your own.

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required for Fort Snelling State Park. [Day passes can be purchased in advance.]
You will walk up to one mile over mostly flat terrain with periods of standing. You are welcome to bring a small folding or camping chair for comfort.
The experience takes place outdoors; please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Some of the content may bring up strong emotions.

*Fort Snelling State Park: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul – access is via Post Road, near the Mpls.-St. Paul Airport
**Wic̣aḣapi: Mounds Blvd and Earl St., St. Paul

Accessibility (click to expand/collapse)
For information about accessibility and physical considerations, please visit the FAQ section of the Learning from Place: Bdote program page. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss your needs, contact Eden Bart.

K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Participants provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
Join the Waitlist

St. Paul - Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Juneteenth Joy
2026-06-23 17:30 - 20:30 | St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, 55102, United States
Upon hearing the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans celebrated by singing songs of worship, dancing, and eating good food. In commemoration, MHC invites you to Jubilee where you will enjoy Spirituals and music from Vocal Essence under the direction of G. Phillip Shoultz, hear stories about the wonderful intersection of food and music, and be treated to delicious dishes and treats from prominent local Black chefs:

Chef Lutunji Abram
Chef Jamal Hashi
Chef James “Jay” Johnson
Chef Mateo Mackbee
Chef Motunrayo “Rayo” Odedina
Chef Robert Taylor

Since 2022, MHC has offered a series of Juneteenth events to examine African American narratives, history, and experience in fulfilling the ideals articulated within the Declaration of Independence.

Funders and Supporters

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Somali South Minneapolis
2026-07-23 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
Register Now

St. Paul - NUESTRO NORTE Community Screening
2026-07-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Landmark Center, F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, 75 5th St W #224, St. Paul, 55102, United States
Join us for a public screening of NUESTRO NORTE in partnership with Landmark Center.
NUESTRO NORTE is a cinematic portrait of five community leaders from across metro and greater Minnesota, their lived stories interwoven with symbolic fiction scenes and original musical performances. More than a documentary, the film seeks to offer a collective vision, celebrating Latine leadership while reflecting on history, diversity, community investment, innovation, and the strength of intergenerational ties.
The evening will feature a screening of NUESTRO NORTE, followed by a panel reflection, and special recognition of Minnesota’s deep Latine history and roots.
We are especially proud to present the film at the F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium in Landmark Center, which also served as the backdrop for a scene in the film.
Event Schedule
6:30 p.m. – Doors Open
7:00 p.m. – Program Begins
8:30 p.m. – Program Concludes

Registration
This event is free, however, due to limited seating, registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul & Online - Headscarf Story Circle: League of Women Voters Minnesota Action Day
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host a Headscarf Story Circle in partnership with the League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWVMN) to commemorate the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
In an effort to reach participants across the state of Minnesota, this hybrid event will convene in person at MHC and has a virtual option. Twin Cities metro area guests are encouraged to attend in person.
All in-person and online attendees are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything related to a fashion statement, cultural identity, or one’s health, memories, and beliefs.
This event includes brunch; dietary restrictions will be noted upon registration.
In line with the League’s national focus, the event’s theme is Headscarf Story Circle: A Day of Action. Excerpts from the TPT documentary, “Hope in the Struggle” about the legendary Dr. Josie Johnson will be featured. Speakers will include League of Women Voter leaders and the day’s action will engage attendees by writing postcards with an invitation to learn about the elections from VOTE411.org.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

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

Rochester - Headscarf Story Circle Gathering
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, 1001 14th St NW, Rochester, 55901, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognize the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our third and final offering in Rochester as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. This year’s theme is a tribute to Women’s History Month’s theme “Sustainability” with “Sustaining Home, Health, and Joy.”
Guests are encouraged to wear a headscarf or head dress that is symbolic of anything from a fashion statement, cultural identity, health related, memories, and beliefs. The community event host is Tawonda Burks, Editor of Rochester Women Magazine in collaboration with the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Little Africa Plaza
2026-08-19 15:00 - 18:00 | 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
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Little Mekong Cultural District
2026-09-10 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. The experience begins at XIA Books & Cafe, where community leader Va-Megn Thoj welcomes participants and grounds the journey in the story of the Mekong River and its connection to identity, history, and place. From there, participants walk through a neighborhood alive with murals, shops, and community stories. Along the way, elders from Vietnamese Social Services share reflections of pride, gratitude, and courage, including stories from those who came to the United States as refugees of war. At the Hmong Cultural Center, participants deepen their understanding of the importance, and the difficulty, of preserving oral-based histories. If scheduling permits, they may also have the opportunity to hear the sound of the qeej, a traditional Hmong instrument whose breath, rhythm, and movement carry ancestral voice and ceremony. The journey continues through local restaurants, where dishes such as somlaw kao kou, a savory Cambodian soup with green papaya, eggplant, and pumpkin, evoke memories of family, tradition, and foodways 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

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote
2026-09-19 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is a place-based experience led by Dakota community members at sites of deep significance in the Twin Cities. Participants engage with Dakota history and contemporary perspectives through story, observation, and shared reflection.
This experience is open to the general public and is particularly beneficial for educators and others seeking to deepen their understanding of Minnesota history and Dakota perspectives. Due to the nature of the content and the length of the day, this experience is not recommended for young children.
For more information, visit the Learning from Place: Bdote program page.

Co-Leads (click to expand/collapse)
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 and the 2023 McKnight Culture Bearers Award. She currently serves on the Indigenous Elder Advisory Board for Carleton College.
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.

What to Expect (click to expand/collapse)

You will visit Bdote (Fort Snelling State Park)* in the morning and Wic̣aḣapi** in the afternoon, with a break for lunch on your own.

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required for Fort Snelling State Park. [Day passes can be purchased in advance.]
You will walk up to one mile over mostly flat terrain with periods of standing. You are welcome to bring a small folding or camping chair for comfort.
The experience takes place outdoors; please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Some of the content may bring up strong emotions.

*Fort Snelling State Park: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul – access is via Post Road, near the Mpls.-St. Paul Airport
**Wic̣aḣapi: Mounds Blvd and Earl St., St. Paul

Accessibility (click to expand/collapse)
For information about accessibility and physical considerations, please visit the FAQ section of the Learning from Place: Bdote program page. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss your needs, contact Eden Bart.

Registration
K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours. Participants provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | 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.
