SMSC Stories

SMSC Proud to Support Construction of Indigenous Peoples Task Force's New Cultural Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 15, 2024 - Indigenous Peoples Task Force will be breaking ground on its new center for culture, arts, and wellness on Tuesday, October 15 at 3 PM at 2313 13th Ave S. The new building will be called Mikwanedun Audisookon, which means “remember our teachings” in Ojibwe.

All of Indigenous Peoples Task Force programs incorporate the Seven Grandfather Teachings. In the words of Executive Director Sharon Day, “Fulfilling those value systems is what makes us indigenous; the new building will be a central place where young people can come and learn what does it mean to be Indigenous.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will also incorporate the teachings. Beginning with a tobacco ceremony, speakers will each honor how each of these teachings brought us to this ground- breaking day. The Ikidowin Youth Theater Ensemble will sing and drum.

The Mikwanedun Audisookon Center was created through a community-based design process. The Task Force began to raise funds for the project in 2014 and made many new friends and allies along the way. The project represents a $12 million investment in the Phillips neighborhood, 25% of funds came from foundations and individual donors and 75% of funds from the State of Minnesota, City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County.

Youth interns have already been begun the work of creating the compressed earth building blocks for the building. The compressed earth blocks as well as passive solar design are some of the building’s sustainable design elements. Gardens surrounding the building will produce food that will be served in the Center’s commercial kitchen.

The building will include a black box theater, making Ikidowin Youth AcOng Ensemble the first Black or Indigenous-led theater in Minneapolis to own their own theater.

In total the building will have over 12,000 square feet including a community café, commercial kitchen, performing arts space, clinical meeting rooms and office space. The location is between the Pillsbury United Community Center and Maynidoowahdak Odena Housing Community

Since 1987, Indigenous Peoples Task Force has been at the forefront of closing the health equity gap for Native American and other marginalized communities impacted by HIV/AIDS across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. Based on Indigenous values and ways of knowing, our programs have grown to include services that promote the integral role of and return to the centrality of first medicines, the use of cultural arts to support youth development, and
programs that foster food security in ways that reconnect Indigenous and other peoples to the land and waters.

Inclusiveness and respect for diversity are central tenets of traditional NaOve American cultures. Though Indigenous Peoples Task Force programs are based in NaOve values and ways of knowing, they are open to youth and adults of all backgrounds. Mikwanedun Audisookon Center will provide safe space where anyone can restore and renew their relationship with each other and the environment.

Contact:
Sharon Day
smarieday@aol.com
(651) 325-8077
Indigenous Peoples Task Force
1335 E. 23rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55404