Future Home for Anishinabe Academy

October 8^th - Let’s Roll  (3 -5 pm) 

The Let’s Roll MPS is an inclusive, slow-paced group bicycle ride that celebrates bicycle efforts in Minneapolis Public Schools, the beauty of our city, and the joy in our connections to each other. The ride route will take students next to the site of the future Anishinabe Academy building.

(https://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/activeliving/safe-routes-to-school)

 

October 13^th - Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow

Minneapolis Public Schools will have an informational desk at the Rotunda to discuss the new building

Events - Minneapolis American Indian Center

 

October 15^th Story and Idea Sharing Gathering: 12-3 pm

This event is designed to engage with each other at three different locations, all in one evening, starting at the river, 3349 W. River Parkway. 

October 15^th - Story and Idea Sharing Gathering Meal: 3 - 4:30 pm 

Please join us to share a meal, memories, and hopes for the future together at future home of Anishinabe Academy, 3239 44th Ave S (former Cooper Elementary site). 

 

October 16^th - Longfellow Community Council Fall Gathering

Join us for a fun day of celebrating local organizations and businesses, followed by a chili cookoff competition!

https://longfellow.org/event/lcc-fall-gathering-chili-cookoff-and-market/

 

October 20^th - Virtual Story and Idea Sharing Gathering: 2 – 3 pm

Can’t meet in person to the Story and Idea Sharing Gathering on October 15^th? Join us for a virtual conversation.  Connection information below:

November 7^th – Phillips Indian Educators Discussion & Luncheon

MPS attended the Community Partners Discussion & Luncheon at the Division of Indian Work hosted by the Anishinabe Academy.  

November 12^th- 2025 MPS American Indian Education Annual Public Hearing 

MPS will be at the Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) to gather input and provide updates on the Project's development. Click Here for event details  

November 21^st - MPS American Indian Education Fall Feast & Pow Wow

MPS will attend the American Indian Education Feast and Pow Wow at North High School to update key stakeholders on progress and timeline for the project. Click Here for event details.

Architect – Cuningham Group & Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design

Construction Manager – H+U Construction

October 23, 2025 - American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) 

MPS attended and was available to provide information on the Project's development at the October AIPAC meeting. 

October 27, 2025 - Steering Committee Tour

The Project's Steering Committee toured Saint Paul Public Schools' American Indian Magnet School (AIMS) and the Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis Site

October 27, 2025 - Pipe Ceremony 

The Anishinabe Academy hosted a pipe ceremony at the former Cooper Elementary site.

September 9, 2025 – The school board authorized the contract for Cuningham Group Architecture Inc. for the predesign phase for the future home of Anishinabe Academy.

August 8, 2025 – The interview committee selected Cuningham Group and Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design as the architectural team. H + U Construction was selected as the Construction Manager. Both teams have extensive experience designing and construction with Native communities.

(https://www.fullcircleplanning.com) (https://www.cuningham.com)

(https://hu-construction.com)

June 23, 2025 – A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued requesting proposals from architectural and construction management teams interested in providing professional services for the Future Home of Anishinabe Academy. A interview committee was selected including members of Anishinabe Academy staff, members of the Anishinabe Facility Advisory Committee, and staff from the Planning, Design, & Construction department.

May 13, 2025 – Minneapolis Public Schools Board passed Resolution No. 2025-0030 directing the Superintendent to further explore and begin to implement the recommendation of the Anishinabe Academy Facility Committee

(Click here for Meeting Minutes Notes)

March 11, 2025 – the Anishinabe Academy Facility Advisory Committee presented the Recommendations Report stating that the Anishinabe Facility Advisory Committee recommends that the Board of Education support Anishinabe Academy’s mission of integrating and reclaiming American Indian identities, cultures, and languages through authentic academic experience by constructing a purpose-built new PK-8 school building on the site of the former Cooper Elementary or an alternative site if available and approved by the committee.

(Click Here for Meeting Minutes Notes)

June 11, 2024 – the Minneapolis Public Schools Board passed Board Resolution No. 2024-0028 creating the Anishinabe Academy Facility Advisory Committee to present a recommendation to the school board listing potential sites so that Anishinabe Academy can have its own building.

(Click Here for Meeting Minutes Notes)