Part I: Gathering at the Heart of the Corridor
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Minnesota American Indian Center
Partners: Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI), Two Rivers Gallery, Gatherings Café
The program begins with a nourishing meal prepared by Gatherings Café, a community-rooted kitchen that offers Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge to Native communities in Minneapolis. Participants will then take a guided tour of Two Rivers Gallery, where local Indigenous artists present work rooted in tradition, resistance, and contemporary life. A hosted panel—featuring cultural leaders, artists, and regional community development practitioners—will offer reflections on the cultural and economic strategies that sustain the American Indian Cultural Corridor. This conversation will ground attendees in the deeper story of Indigenous leadership in urban space and vision for intergenerational wellbeing and sovereignty.
Part II: Arts, Authors, and Everyday Nourishment on Franklin Ave
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: All My Relations Arts & Pow Wow Grounds Café
Partners: All My Relations Arts, NACDI
Walking just down the block along Franklin Avenue, participants will arrive at All My Relations Arts, a Native-led gallery showcasing contemporary Indigenous visual art and public programming. Here, they’ll receive a guided tour of the current exhibition and learn about the Native Authors Program, which nurtures emerging Indigenous writers and storytellers. Before closing the day, attendees are invited to gather at Pow Wow Grounds, the beloved on-site coffee shop and community hub, for refreshments and informal conversation. This final stop reflects how everyday spaces—galleries, cafés, bookstores—serve as anchors of Native presence, joy, and resilience.
Organized by: Native American Community Development Institute
Expectations: This special off-site session and cultural tour will depart the conference hotel bringing attendees to the Minnesota American Indian Center for an off-site lunch to begin the program. The program involves light walking and some time outdoors and includes guided tours, a panel discussion with local leaders, artists, and community development practitioners. Registration includes lunch and light refreshments served on-site, in support of NACDI local businesses.
Cost: $50