Native Culture

The drum ceremony planned for Brainerd High School's commencement will continue after all, despite previous communication that the district was pulling its support.

The charter school's students and several staffers participated in the annual event, which featured an afternoon of powwow staples in Bemidji.

Sacred Bundle, a nonprofit through the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, is expected to close the sale for the downtown site on Feb. 27, 2026.

The first of two Native American Heritage Nights Jan. 20, 2026, included drumming, dancing and an Ojibwe-language broadcast. The second is Jan. 30 against Grand Rapids.

Joshua Jones received the 2025 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor award for his work as an environmental leader for Red Lake youths.

The same announcers from the historic Minnesota Wild Ojibwe-language broadcast in November will announce hockey games against Cloquet-Esko-Carlton and Grand Rapids on Jan. 20 and 30, 2026.

The Native American-led program of the Northland Foundation also funded projects around educational and cultural programming. The grants aim to build community.

Researchers said common barriers faced by Native American children include lack of culturally relevant curriculum in their educational settings.

The event includes dance specials, a giveaway, an ambassador contest and a frybread taco concession stand.

Annie Humphrey and Shanai Matteson celebrate the spring with Anishinaabe traditions like gathering maple sap at the sugar bush in Palisade and Cass Lake, Minn.