Celebrating Native American Heritage Month and American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week
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Celebrating Native American Heritage Month and American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week
November is Native American Heritage Month, and we're proud to celebrate the American Indian peoples, tribes, cultures and traditions that have shaped and continue to shape our community.
American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week
Nov. 17-21 is American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week (AIAFIW) in MPS! Events are planned across MPS to partner with families to celebrate, recognize and raise awareness of American Indian people and culture and to engage all students in learning about Indigenous populations. MPS proudly serves over 1,800 American Indian students from more than 60 tribes.
Check with your child's school to learn more about special events this week!
Fall Feast & Powwow is Nov. 21
AIAFIW festivities culminate with the Fall Feast & Powwow from 5 - 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at North High School (1500 James Ave. N).
Hosted by the MPS American Indian Education Department, this event brings families together for an evening of community, culture and celebration. There will also be free books and reading resources, recognition of student attendance and achievement, and introduction of the 2025-26 districtwide Ogichidaa Oyate American Indian Youth Council. Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and transportation is available for families upon request.
Language Table: Dakota & Ojibwe Language Learning
Every Monday through Dec. 15, the community is invited to join a free, family-friendly language table, a place where all ages can learn and practice either Dakota or Ojibwe language in a supportive environment.
When: Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis American Indian Center (1530 E. Franklin Ave.)
Virtual option available for MPS families. Learning is offered by MPS American Indian Education Department in partnership with Culture Language Arts Network. Adults, teens and children are all invited to join us for an engaging introduction to the basics.
Families of Tradition
Birth to kindergarten families are invited to join us for a shared dinner, family learning and joyful experiences! The MPS Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Department, in collaboration with MPS American Indian Education, presents weekly events where Native American families will explore traditional parenting within their contemporary lifestyles, deepen their connection to culture and focus on discussion topics of child development, school readiness and more.
When: Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Heritage Academy/Wilder Complex (3345 Chicago Ave.)
ECFE classes are priced on a sliding fee schedule based on family income. With questions, call 612-668-2127.