The Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Culture Museum in Park Rapids, Minnesota, was established in 2023 as the first museum in the state managed by Indigenous peoples, focusing on treaty rights, environmental justice, and cultural heritage.[1][2]
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| Established | 2023 |
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| Location | 101 2nd Street W, Park Rapids, Minnesota 56470 |
| Coordinates | 46°55′17″N 95°03′32″W / 46.921389°N 95.058889°W |
| Type | History |
| Executive director | Sarah LittleRedfeather |
| Website | giiwedinong.org |
Mission
editThe museum, named after the Anishinaabe word for "north," aims to present and preserve the history and culture of the Anishinaabe and Dakota peoples. It provides educational exhibits and programs designed to inform the public about the significance of treaty rights and the ongoing efforts for environmental justice.[3]
Collections and programs
editThe museum features works from Anishinaabe artists and serves as a venue for storytelling, aiming to represent a range of voices and artistic expressions. It addresses topics at the intersection of Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship, and policy implications.[4]
Leadership
editA team of Indigenous historians, artists, and community leaders guide the museum, ensuring that it accurately reflects Anishinaabe perspectives. The museum partners with various cultural organizations to extend its educational outreach.
Exhibits
editExhibits at the museum cover historical treaties, cultural traditions, and current issues affecting Indigenous communities, with the goal of educating visitors on the Anishinaabe worldview and the relevance of treaty rights.[5]
Educational outreach
editGiiwedinong conducts educational initiatives for diverse audiences, facilitating engagement with Anishinaabe history, culture, and arts through structured programs and community involvement.
Facility
editThe museum is housed in a building originally funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1908, which served as the Park Rapids library for decades. After the library relocated for accessibility reasons, the building was repurposed for various uses, including a regional office for Enbridge. In 2022, the organization Akiing acquired the building to establish the museum, focusing on the representation of Anishinaabe culture and treaty rights.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Giiwedinong Treaty Rights and Cultural Museum". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ catwhipple (2023-10-05). "Anishinaabe Museum of Treaties and Culture opening Oct 12 | The Circle News". Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "About". Giiwedinong Treaty Rights & Culture Museum. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Furst, Randy. "American Indians once protested outside old Park Rapids library. Now they have a museum there". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "First treaty rights museum in Minnesota to open in Park Rapids". Park Rapids Enterprise. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Minnesota's first independent Indigenous museum opens". MPR News. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-05-29.