Minnesota Humanities Center

Saint Paul – MnWE 2022: “Changing the Narrative: Empowering Stories”
2022-04-07 10:00 - 2022-04-08 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center is excited to host the 2022 Minnesota Writing & English Conference and collaborate with MnWE in exploring the theme, “Changing the Narrative: Empowering Stories.” This year’s conference will open with a Thursday morning Plenary Session sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Do you believe stories frame identities, infuse the texts we explore, and inspire our students’ and our own writing? Join our CEO, Kevin Lindsey, as he hosts a conversation with Carolyn Holbrook and David Mura about their new anthology, We Are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World. This brilliant and rich gathering of voices on the American experience of this past year and beyond, from Indigenous writers and writers of color from Minnesota, not only provides valued witness to our present but also speaks to our collective future. This collection of stories is an ideal lens to focus pressing themes central to this year’s conference. Their conversation will include how dominant cultural narratives about race, gender, or class impact teaching and relationships with students, how educators navigate these dominant narratives, and how educators may question and resist persistent cultural narratives that reproduce inequality in the classroom.
Participate in-person at the Minnesota Humanities Center or virtually via ZOOM.
Registration
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED
LEARN MORE

Nevis – Why Treaties Matter
2022-04-04 - 2022-04-08 | Nevis Public Schools, 210 Pleasant Street, Nevis, MN, 56467, United States
“Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations”—a traveling exhibit made in partnership with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian—explores relationships between Dakota and Ojibwe Indian Nations and the U.S. government in this place we now call Minnesota.
Want to know more about Why Treaties Matter?
Learn more about the Why Treaties Matter exhibit and partnership.
Learn More

St. Paul – Reflection and Renewal through Poetry with Sun Yung Shin and Anh-Hoa Thi Nguyen
2022-04-02 09:00 - 15:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
National Poetry Month is a time to celebrate poetry and the human spirit. April in Minnesota offers an annual opportunity to contemplate renewal and rebirth. Join poets Sun Yung Shin and Anh-Hoa Thi Nguyen in a daylong retreat designed to support participants’ rest, reflection, renewal, and creativity. Facilitators will lead participants through somatic exercises to support mind, body, and spirit, and poetry readings and creative writing prompts to provide time and space to connect with inner and collective wholeness, spaciousness, and possibility. Participants need not have any formal creative writing training whatsoever. This is an experience not focused on writing as a profession, but as an ancient, musical, and deeply human practice available to everyone.
Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
Sun Yung Shin is a poet, writer, educator, and bodyworker. She approaches poetry as a human right and a space of moral imagination.
Anh-Hoa Thi Nguyen is a poet, community artist, activist, and educator. As a creator and healer, she is committed to cultivating shared humanity through food, storytelling, and authentic connection.
Registration
If cost is a barrier, please contact Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org before registering.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration Deadline Date: Monday, March 28, 2022

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Minneapolis – Dialogues of War Listening Session: Somali Community (women focused)
2022-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Franklin Library, 1314 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
Join Marian Hassan for a Community Listening Session, part of Minnesota Humanities Center’s program, Dialogues of War. In this facilitated discussion, participants will be led in meaningful dialogue to connect with others and share their perspectives as relates to their experiences with war and conflict. The Minnesota Humanities Center is committed to engaging audiences in new and deeper understandings of histories, cultures, borders, boundaries, and identities. We are expanding our understanding of war and conflict to hear how community members and families have been impacted by war whether integenerationally, through immigration, or refugee resettlement.
This Community Listening Session is being held for women of the Somali community.
Dinner will be provided; spaces are limited and there is no cost to attend this event. Attendees must be able to attend the full 2 hour session.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Cloud – Write on Race
2022-03-17 17:30 - 20:30, 2022-02-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2022-01-06 17:30 - 19:30, 2021-12-02 17:30 - 19:30, 2021-11-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 South 33rd Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
*$57 is the fee for all six sessions. Teams of four or more people: $45 each, please contact Jennifer Tonko at jennifer@mnhum.org.
MHC, Love & Struggle, and St. Cloud organizations are partnering to help communities develop action plans to combat racism. Participants will learn about impacts of race in our communities, reflect through journal writing, and share their learning with others. They’ll then develop action plans to move from passive non-racism to active anti-racism.
Schedule
November 4, 2021 – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Session One: WRITE on RACE
December 2, 2021 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Session Two: Past, present, future of race and social impacts of race
January 6, 2022 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Session Three: Race and criminal justice
February 3, 2022 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Session Four: Race and education
March 17, 2022 – 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Session Five: Race and income
April 21, 2022 – 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Session Six: Closing session RIGHT on RACE (In-person in St. Cloud)
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Winona – We Are Water MN
2022-03-03 - 2022-04-25 | Winona County Historical Society, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Free with Admission
The We Are Water MN traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities.
Host Partner: City of Winona
Want to know more about We Are Water MN?
Learn more about the We Are Water MN exhibit, partnership, and programs.
Learn More

Online – Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Black Joy
2022-02-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
It has been over a year since the murder of Mr. George Floyd. In response to this horrific incident, Minnesota Humanities created what went on to become the award-winning series, “How Can We Breathe” where community members came together after being impacted by the devastation that ripped throughout the streets, businesses, and homes. “Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Black Joy” will focus on the uplifting beat that spreads across generations despite the struggles of systemic racism. What is the root of self-determination and faith that Black people proclaim? Through the art and culture of food, music, publishing, family legacies, and more, participants will examine the actualization of “hope.”
Featuring chefs LaChelle Cunningham and Mateo Mackbee; Ramsey County Commissioner W. Toni Carter and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, III; Anthony R. Scott and Dr. Chaunda L. Scott, two of the editors of the book “Minnesota Blacks in the 21st Century”; and the music of Ginger Commodore.
Due to the focus of this program, the fee is waived for Black community members residing in Minnesota. You are invited to register with promo code COMMUNITY22.
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 promo code FEEWAIVER (must be a Minnesota resident).
This event will be ASL interpreted.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul – Dialogues of War Listening Session: Southeast Asian Experience
2022-02-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us for Minnesota Humanities Center’s Hmong and Southeast Asian Dialogues of War Community Listening Session. As part of our commitment to build and deepen relationships across the region, we are engaging audiences in new and deeper understandings of histories and cultures, borders and boundaries, and identities, we are expanding our understanding of war and conflict to hear how community members, families, and members of the public have been impacted by war. In doing so, we are creating a space to hear from those who may not be directly involved with the military, but who remain affected through their experiences, whether intergenerationally, through immigration, or refugee resettlement. In this facilitated listening session, participants will be led in a meaningful dialogue to connect with others and share their perspectives. Dinner will be provided; spaces are limited and there is no cost to attend this event. Attendees must be able to attend the full two hour session.
In order to provide for social distancing our capacity is limited to 40. For groups of 6 or more please contact Corey China directly to accommodate reserved seating.
Registration
Registration Deadline Date: Friday, February 18, 2022
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Commemorate Black Art Featuring Ta-coumba T. Aiken
2022-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center is thrilled to collaborate with its community partners in a series of events Commemorating Black History & Culture 2022 across the City of Saint Paul. Join us for conversation with gifted Twin Cities artist Ta-coumba T. Aiken as he reflects on his extraordinary work, creating art in these tumultuous times, and the next phase of his career. Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey will host the evening.
This event is one of four in the Black History and Culture: Art, Music, & Literature Exhibition 2022, presented by Saint Paul Public Library, Minnesota Humanities Center, Ujamma Place, and Public Art Saint Paul.
LEARN MORE
Registration
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

St. Paul - Commemorate Black Music Featuring Thomasina Petrus
2022-02-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
The Minnesota Humanities Center is thrilled to collaborate with its community partners in a series of events Commemorating Black History & Culture 2022 across the City of Saint Paul. Join us for music, song, and conversation with legendary vocalist Thomasina Petrus on her career, life, and her play on the incomparable Billie Holliday. Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey will host the evening.
This event is one of four in the Black History and Culture: Art, Music, & Literature Exhibition 2022, presented by Saint Paul Public Library, Minnesota Humanities Center, Ujamma Place, and Public Art Saint Paul.
Learn More
Registration
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

The Great Northern Festival – Learning from Place: Bdote
2022-01-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Image detail is from the Minneapolis (Village of Many Lakes) & St Paul (Village along the White Cliffs) map created by artist Marlena Myles.
Learning from Place: Bdote is an immersive experience offered by the Minnesota Humanities Center that invites participants to visit, inhabit, and expand their understanding of Twin Cities sites with deep significance to Dakota people. Participants learn from Dakota community members to reconsider their relationship to land, water, sky, and all life—including other humans—through stories and perspectives that are often left out of our state’s history.
Bdote is a Dakota word that generally means “where two waters come together.” The bdote where Ȟaȟáwakpa (Mississippi River) and the Mnísota Wakpá (Minnesota River) come together is central to Dakota spirituality and history. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding about Dakota people’s relationship to the place we now call Minnesota and will be encouraged to put newfound knowledge to action and further learning.
Event Content Leads
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Nation. Her educational background includes a BA in Dakota Art and Culture, and a MAE-Teacher Leadership. She worked in Indian Education for the Osseo Area School District 2005-2020 and has been the Chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association since 2018. Currently she serves as the Project Director of We Are Still Here MN.
Ethan Neerdaels, Bdewakantunwan Dakota, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – American Indian Studies/Dakota Language programs. He currently teaches the Dakota language at Augsburg University, and co-directs the Indian Education program at Osseo Area Schools. He also serves as the Executive Director of Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye, a 501c3 dedicated to reversing the trend of language loss and raising future generations of Dakota speakers.
More Event Details
This event will primarily be outdoors so dress accordingly.
A Minnesota state parks vehicle permit is required (one-day permit is $7).
More detailed information will be sent to all registrants during the week of January 24.
This event is offered in partnership with The Great Northern as part of its 2022 festival.
Registration
K-12 educators will receive 2 clock hours.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT AND WAITLIST HAVE CLOSED

St. Paul – We Are Water MN
2022-01-20 - 2022-02-28 | State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55155, United States
Free with Admission
The We Are Water MN traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities.
Host Partner: MHC and partners
Want to know more about We Are Water MN?
Learn more about the We Are Water MN exhibit, partnership, and programs.
Learn More

St. Cloud – Why Treaties Matter
2022-01-03 - 2022-03-03 | Stearns History Museum, 235 South 33rd Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
