Annual Native American Heritage Day

Dates

About

The St. Louis County Historical Society, under the guidance of the SLCHS American Indian Advisory Committee, is proud to announce its annual Native American Heritage Day from 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, November 14, 2026. This year’s event is in partnership with the University of Minnesota-Duluth's American Indian Learning Resource Center and Indigenous Student Organization and will be held in the Kirby Ballroom at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The event is free and open to all.

Native American Heritage Day gives anyone who is curious the opportunity to see, hear, and taste our regional Ojibwe culture. The theme of this year’s event is Native Creativity. Chat with local Ojibwe artists, view their work, and learn more about how Native identity influences their creativity. There will be opportunities to purchase artwork and make crafts of your own!

The Historical Society will also be unveiling the design for our new Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery, scheduled to open in June 2027. Gary Lundstrom, exhibit designer and fabricator, has constructed a scale model of the new exhibit, which will be on display at the SLCHS table.

At noon, enjoy a panel discussion with local artists Moira Villiard, Karen Savage Blue, and Linda LeGarde Grover. While you listen, enjoy a free lunch from The Food Stand.

Following the Historical Society’s event, the Indigenous Student Organization will host a Round Dance from 4 PM to 9 PM, also in the Kirby Ballroom.

The St. Louis County Historical Society thanks Jody O’Connor and Jeremy Wilson from the American Indian Learning Resource Center, as well as Sean Drift and Jazzmine Long, co-presidents of the Indigenous Student Organization, for all their help organizing the event. Thank you to the 1854 Treaty Authority and North Shore Bank for financial support.

The mission of the American Indian Advisory Committee is to advise the Society on matters relating to the research, collection, preservation and interpretation of Minnesota Indian people's history; to assist in the planning, development and evaluation of such activities and initiatives as exhibitions, publications, public programs, curatorial policy, and access to data and information that pertain to Indian history and culture; and to serve as a resource and liaison between the Society and Indian people of the region.