This week, a look at the recent Tribal Flag Plaza Flag-Raising Ceremony at the State Capitol, and a conversation with two members of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Native American Museum Fellowship program.
CORRECTION: This story states that this is the first cohort of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)’s Native American Museum Fellowship program. In fact, the MNHS has been offering a museum fellowship for over 10 years. 2025 is the first year it was 10 weeks long with a requirement that the first three weeks be completely in-person.
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Producers: Deanna StandingCloud and Dan Ninham
Anchor: Marie Rock
Script editing: Emily Krumberger
Additional editing: Xan Holston, Victor Palomino
Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
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TRANSCRIPT
[Music: Minnesota Native News Theme]Marie Rock [ANCHOR]: You’re listening to Minnesota Native News. I’m Marie Rock.
This week, a look at the recent Tribal Flag Plaza Flag-Raising Ceremony at the State Capitol. Plus, what the first cohort of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Native American Museum Fellowship program are up to.
First, let’s hear from Producer Deanna StandingCloud:
Deanna StandingCloud: A brisk chill surged across the lawn in front of the Minnesota State Capitol on a bright, September morning. Over 300 people gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Tribal Flag Plaza.
Sharon Day: So much has changed, yet there’s so much to change.
Deanna StandingCloud: For some Native people in Minnesota, this celebration is long overdue, including Ojibwe elder, Sharon Day.
Sharon Day: You know, this big building behind us. Today we have flags. Maybe down the road there will be a building representing tribal governments right over there.
Deanna StandingCloud: The recognition of tribal nations in the state capitol also brings up reminders of broken treaties. Tribal Chairman of the Upper Sioux Pezhihutazizi Oyate Indian Community, Kevin Jensvold, says he has mixed feelings.
Kevin Jensvold: It is a good thing. But I also have to acknowledge another time, of my grandfather’s grandfather. The people who lived upon this land long before any immigrant ever came.
Deanna StandingCloud: In 1851, the Dakota were forcibly made to enter into treaties with the United States government with the promise that the first reservation lands in Minnesota would be held for them to live on in exchange for millions of acres of land.
Kevin Jensvold: And the truth that exists? In order for these flags to fly today, something had to be given up.
Deanna StandingCloud: There is a deep sense of pride that comes along with the waving of the Minnesota tribal flags, one of survival, identity and inherent sovereignty. For Minnesota Native News, I’m Deanna StandingCloud
Anchor Marie Rock: Next, the Minnesota Historical Society recently wrapped up its first Native American Museum Fellowship cohort. Producer Dan Ninham talks with two of the fellows.
Haley Cherry: Community, to me, means everything. It’s our relatives, it’s our neighbors, it’s our loved ones, it’s our knowledge keepers, our storytellers.
Dan Ninham: That was Haley Cherry, HoChunk and Winnebago, the Native American Museum Fellows Program Administrative Assistant, based at the Minnesota Historical Society.
Haley Cherry: The focus of the Native American museum fellowship is to provide natives the opportunity to dive into a lot of the different fields in museum work. It’s really about recreating those narratives and telling our own stories with our own voice.
Dan: the Native American Museum Fellows program is 10 weeks long.
Jenesis Fonder: So a prerequisite is that you do have an interest in museum or heritage studies. We’ve recently opened it up to Community Scholars. So, they can take what they learn from the fellowship and better fit those practices to their tribes in a way that’s going to make museums more accessible.
Dan: that was Jenesis Fonder, Native American Museum Fellows Program Specialist
Jenesis Fonder: I’m from the Mille Lacs Band. I’m also I have paternal ties to Leech Lake through my grandpa, but I also grew up as like a city Indian, and it wasn’t until I began working for my tribe within the chief’s office that I really began to reconnect with my community.
Haley Cherry: I would say that is really one of the biggest pieces of the program, is to be able to touch and care for these items and collections, but also to be able to get out and be in touch with the land.
Dan Ninham: For Haley, this part of the program allows fellows to connect to the living spirit of these objects when visiting different sites and museums state-wide and nationally.
Jenesis Fonder: We’ve had a fellow help with the restoration of a birch bark canoe — traditional restoration.
Dan Ninham: Jenesis recognizes that there are challenges with getting community involved in museum work, including engaging young people.
Jenesis Fonder: They don’t necessarily see it as work that brings them closer to their ancestors.
Dan Ninham: There are still spots open in the Native American Museum Fellows program. More information is available at m n h s dot org. For Minnesota Native News, I’m Dan Ninham.
[Music: Minnesota Native News Theme]Marie Rock: Minnesota Native News is produced by AMPERS: Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities. Made possibly by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
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