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Native American Initiatives at MNHS

Name: Native American Initiatives at MNHS
Address: 345 W. Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, US
Telephone: +16512593015

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Native American Initiatives at MNHS

The NAI team at MNHS is responsible for the vision and strategy of NAI content.

06/16/2026

On day 2 of seminar the fellows visited Bdóte Mni Sota with Darlene St. Clair (Cansayapi) and Josie Lee (Ho-Chunk). Can you spot our eagle relative in the third picture? 🦅

06/12/2026

The fellows played a friendly game of traditional lacrosse on the History Center’s front lawn after their first day of seminar with Twin Cities Native Lacrosse! 🥍

Known as one of the continent’s oldest team sports, lacrosse was invented by Native American nations that played the game for social, political, and ceremonial purposes. Today, in Minnesota, Native Americans continue to play lacrosse in the same manner and on the same fields as they have for over 400 years. (MNHS MNOpedia)

In 2014, John Hunter co-founded TCNL and began facilitating community games as well as doing outreach about the Native American history of the game. For over twenty years, he has played and/or coached lacrosse at every level, from youth to high school to college and semi-professional leagues. Hunter is a Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska descendant and White Earth Nation descendant living in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is a Muscogee Creek Nation citizen through his paternal grandmother’s family.

Miigwech/pinagigi for your teachings and coaching, John!

📸: Haley Cherry

06/10/2026

Meet Our 2026 Native American Museum Fellowship Cohort!

The Native American Museum Fellowship (NAMF) Program is a ten-week paid fellowship that introduces Native community members to the museum field through three weeks of seminars and workshops and seven weeks of an internship at MNHS, plus trips to tribal communities and nations in northern and southern Minnesota.

This summer, each fellow will gain hands-on experience in different areas of museum work and learn best practices for preserving culture and heritage. The fellows have completed their first week of in-person seminars with many exciting plans ahead – stay tuned for more photos and updates on what we get up to!

We are deeply honored to welcome another full cohort of amazing individuals. Pidamaya, Pinagigi, and Miigwech to all who have supported and been a part of this program over the years!

04/24/2026

Sugar bush season is upon us! Every spring season in late March and early April Indigenous communities take part in the traditional tapping and processing of maple sap. 🍁

This long-rooted tradition is seen as a community gathering that signaled food sovereignty, sustainability, and connection to the land and what it provides after the end of the long winter months.

Today, this tradition is continuing with revitalization efforts being done in all tribal communities, especially urban indigenous communities in locations such as Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

These images were photographed at Heart of the Earth Survival School (of Minneapolis) in 1984 at their sugar bush camp. The school opened in 1972 as a push from AIM, the American Indian Movement, to have a place to educate Native youth within an urban setting. Heart of the Earth provided an alternative to public and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools that would place Indigenous culture at the center of its curriculum.

These pictures from MNHS collections were photographed by Randy Croce. Community members are listed:
Mady Moose
Porky White and Maggie Sengoge

04/15/2026

wWe hope to see you this Saturday at the Minnesota History Center for the book launch of Our Sacred Land of Phežúta by Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ Tara Perron (2) and Holly Young (3) with Minnesota Historical Society Press! 🌿📚

03/28/2026

Join us on April 18 from 10:30am-12:30pm for the launch of the children's picture book, Our Sacred Land of Phežúta, by Tara Perron and Holly Young at the Minnesota History Center.

This new book from MNHS Press will be celebrated with a conversation between the creators and hands-on activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Through words and images, this tender story from educator and healer Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ Tara Perron, illustrated with evocative ledger-style artwork by Holly Young, highlights the treasures of an abundant prairie landscape.

Grandmother’s friends are the plants of her sacred garden. They are known as phežúta, or medicines. They help her heal herself and others. Grandmother’s understanding of these plants has been passed down from person to person for generations. Granddaughter cherishes these lessons and the gifts of phežúta. She is grateful to her grandmother for sharing her wisdom. Perhaps one day she too will walk in this sacred land with her own granddaughter.

Writer and educator Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ Tara Perron is the author of Takóža: Walks with the Blue Moon Girl. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dakota artist Holly Young creates in the traditional mediums of ledger art, beadwork, and quillwork. She lives in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

03/07/2026

The final deadline to apply for NAMF, the 10-week Native American Museum Fellowship, is tomorrow – Sunday, March 8th at 11:59 PM CST.

This photo is from last year’s cohort visiting Jeffers Petroglyphs in southwest Minnesota. We hope you join us on this summer’s adventures to museums and sites across the state! 🦬

More information regarding the fellowship: https://mnhs.info/4rWCi8J

03/06/2026

The priority deadline to apply for the Native American Museum Fellowship (NAMF) has passed! Haven’t applied yet? NO WORRIES. Applications for the final deadline will close this Sunday, March 8 at 11:59pm. 🦅

03/03/2026

Pidamaya, pinagigi and miigwech to the Circle of Indigenous Nations - University of Minnesota (COIN) for hosting our NAMF facilitators to discuss more about the fellowship! 🪶

The Circle of Indigenous Nations is a student support office that advances and advocates for the needs of American Indian/Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Learn more about their resources and events at https://mnhs.info/3OLOGJS 📚

02/28/2026

The Native American Museum Fellowship applications are STILL open for summer 2026! Required application materials include a resume, one letter of recommendation, and the completed application with your statement of interest. 🛶

Important dates:
Priority deadline: March 1, 2026 @ 11:59pm
Final deadline: March 8, 2026 @ 11:59pm
Application review and interview process: March 9 - April 3, 2026
Confirmation of selection: April 8, 2026
Program dates: June 1 - August 7, 2026

Learn more and apply at https://mnhs.info/46OG8bB

(This photo is from our 2025 cohort at Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post)

Address

345 W. Kellogg Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN
55102

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16512593015

Website

https://www.mnhs.org/nai

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