May is American Indian Month in Minnesota
Join us as we celebrate American Indian Month in Minnesota. Your library has resources about the Dakota and Ojibwe, who have resided for centuries in the area that is now Hennepin County.
Library Events
Dial-A-Story for Adults
Wednesday, May 4 – Tuesday, May 10
Call 612-543-8851 to hear a staff member read “The Years of my Birth” by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa). In this short story, a baby is rejected by her mother at birth and adopted by a Native family, who raised her on a Chippewa reservation.
Coffee and Conversations at Franklin Library
Friday, May 6, 10 am - noon
Audience: Adults, Seniors
Join library staff for free coffee, doughnuts and conversation at Franklin Library. There will be giveaway copies of Clyde Bellecourt’s book "The Thunder Before the Storm."
UMN Raptor Center visits Franklin Library
Wednesday, May 11, 4-6pm
Meet three raptors (including a bald eagle!) with Raptor Education Specialists. You will learn what makes these birds raptors and how they stand out within that group.
Mary Ann Key Book Club – A Community Discussion of "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People"
Thursday, May 12, 7 - 8:30 pm
Join columnist Myron Medcalf and moderator Ramona Kitto Stately in an online conversation with Native American community leaders Sharon Day, Marlena Myles, Dr. Katie Phillips and Pearl Walker-Swaney. Panelists will discuss "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People."
Coffee and Conversations at Franklin Library
Friday, May 13, 10 am - noon
Audience: Adults, Seniors
Join library staff for free coffee, doughnuts and conversation at Franklin Library. There will be giveaway copies of Clyde Bellecourt’s book "The Thunder Before the Storm."
Book lists
Recommendations for K-12 grades based on Indigenous Representations, a collaboration between Birchbark Books, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, St. Cloud State University, St. Catherine University, University of Minnesota Kerlan Collection, and the MN Department of Education (State Library Services and Office of American Indian Education). Prepared by Fallon Carey.
Find more recommended books by Native writers
Videos
- Music video: On the Avenue – Tufawon is a local artist on the library's free music streaming service, MNspin; listen to his albums. He has written a song about the Franklin Avenue community. Watch the video.
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Ojibwe language videos – Storytellers read from children's books that feature the Ojibwe language. Watch the videos.
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Conversations with Robert DesJarlait (Endaso-Giizhik), an Ojibwe fine artist, writer, and teacher from Miskwaagamiiwi-zaaga’igan (Red Lake Nation). He is the artist of “Red Lake,” a mural at the Franklin Library. He spoke with HCL about his artwork, career and mentoring others. Watch the videos.
Online resources
External community events
These events are not sponsored or hosted by Hennepin County Library. Programs and information may change without notice.
May 2, 10 am
Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors Community Group & Native American Community Development Institute 2022 American Indian Month Kick-off
Cedar Field, 2500 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
May 5, noon-2pm
Murdered Missing Indigenous Women & Relatives Event
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis
May 5, 1pm
Minneapolis College Play
Minneapolis College presents "In My Shoes" a play sponsored by Indigenous Peoples Task Force at the Whitney Center Theater.
1501 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
May 5, 4 - 6 pm
MIGIZI Young Leaders Showcase
MIGIZI Young Leaders Showcase is championing and empowering young Native leaders who have been a part of the organization, celebrating their achievements and showcasing the work they have done.
2610 E 32nd St, Minneapolis
May 5, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Meet artist Inkpa Mani at Water Works Park
425 West River Parkway, Minneapolis
May 5, 6pm
Minneapolis Public Schools celebrate American Indian Month
The event features a performance by Supaman. All are welcome.
South High School, 3131 19th Ave S, Minneapolis
May 6, 11 am - 3 pm
Strong Families Community Resource Fair, Division of Indian Work
1001 East Lake St, Minneapolis
May 6, 11am-2om
Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center Open House
2300 15th Ave, Minneapolis
May 7, 9 am - 4 pm
Mni Sota Fund - Financial Wellness Class (Registration required)
1330 Lagoon Avenue – 4th Floor, Minneapolis
May 7, Grand Entry 1 pm
Little Earth Mother’s Day Powwow
Cedar Field, 2500 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis
May 9, 5:30 - 8 pm
Minneapolis Public Schools 8th grade Honoring and Transition Event
Eighth graders, families, and the community are welcome to attend the recognition event
South High School, 3131 19th Ave S, Minneapolis
May 10, 9 am - 2:30 pm
MN Indian Affairs Council- American Indian Day on the Hill
Minnesota Capitol, L'Etoile du Nord Vault Room B15
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Saint Paul
May 14, 10 am - 2 pm
Brooklyn Park Native American Heritage Event and Health Fair
Brookdale Park, 7650 June Avenue N, Brooklyn Park
May 18, 11 am - 2 pm
Minneapolis American Indian Center Open House
1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis
May 18, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Minneapolis Public Schools Honoring our Youth Community Celebration
South High School, 3131 19th Ave S, Minneapolis
May 19, 11 am - 2 pm
American Indian OIC Founders’ Day Open House & Job Fair
1845 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis
May 21, 10am-noon
Asian American Heritage Month & MN American Indian Month Wellness Event
Hosted by Hennepin County Engagement Services, a wellness panel and healing circles are offered as part of an ongoing series to support the health and wellbeing of our community. Panelists Seng Xiong, Nancy Bordeaux and Renee Butters will talk about cultural traditions and practices for wellness. Six healers will draw upon their lived experience and expertise to guide separate healing circles to provide support and guidance for navigating our world.
May 24, 11 am - 3 pm
Native American Community Development Institute, Pow Wow Grounds & American Indian Community Development Corporation Open House Event
1414 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis
May 26, 6pm
Minneapolis Institute of Art Native Community Tour
Join Juan Lucero (Isleta Pueblo), MIA’s Mdewakanton Native Art Fellow, for a tour of Parska/Shada, Virgil Ortiz: Convergence, and the newly installed Americas galleries. Meet by the white desk across from the Agra Cafe on the first floor.
2400 3rd Ave South, Minneapolis
May 27, 9 am - 2 pm
Mde Maka Ska Canoe of Nations Event at Bde Maka Ska
Minneapolis Public Schools Middle school students will be invited to learn about the importance and significance of water. The community is welcome to join for a day of learning with your youth or to chaperone and help with the transition of stations.
May 27, 1 - 3 pm
Indian Health Board Open House Event
1315 E 24th Street, Minneapolis