Celebrations of Indigenous Peoples Day across Minnesota
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Updated: 4:10 p.m.
The second Monday of October is now officially recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota.
Legislation newly passed this year eliminated Columbus Day as a holiday and requires schools to observe the new holiday.
Schools that choose to remain open will need to devote at least one hour to informing students about the holiday’s significance. The legislation came after years of advocacy by tribal nations in Minnesota.
As the sun rose Monday morning, people gathered at Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis for a ceremony to celebrate the day. Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan were also present at the ceremony.
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In St. Paul, an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harriet Island Regional Park will include music, a fashion show and traditional lacrosse, among other activities.
The city of Duluth will host a celebration at City Hall starting at 11 a.m. The event will in part honor Renee Van Nett, the late Duluth council member who was the first Native American woman elected to the city council.
And there’s a street celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in Grand Rapids from noon to 9 p.m.
In the Fargo/Moorhead region, North Dakota State University will host a tipi display and presentation from 11 a.m. to noon at the park in the Memorial Union Lot. The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County hosts “Ihdago Manipi: Clay County at 150” at the Hjemkomst Center through 5 p.m., and an Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Moorhead High School.
Minneapolis Community and Technical Collegewill celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with events thorough the day, including a presentation with Victoria Johnson, owner of Indigenous Lotus.
Minnesota State University Mankato will host Mariah Gladstone, the founder of the online cooking show “Indigikitchen” as a keynote speaker at 6 p.m. at the Ostrander Auditorium. Registration is required.
A new mural in downtown Red Wing, a collaboration between the city and Prairie Island Commmunity, will be unveiled at 4 p.m. The mural will be located near the intersection of Potter and W. Third streets. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is expected to attend.
The city of Minneapolis will close its offices in observances of the state holiday.
An Indian Health Board Ground Blessing for the new Menaandawiwe Wellness campus will be held in Minneapolis with health board CEO Dr. Pactrick Rock at 2 p.m. The event begins at 2 p.m. at 2027 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is expected to attend.
The Native American Community Development Institute will host a voter registration drive from noon to 3 p.m. at the American Indian OIC at 1845 East Franklin Ave. There will be a land blessing at 2 p.m. and lunch will be provided.
