The Great Minnesota Get-Together celebrates much of life in the state. In recent years, the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems has hosted Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the first Sunday of the fair.

For a day, Dan Patch Park was filled with events showcasing diverse indigenous cultures – including food, music and entertainment.

This year, the MPR News Native News team was there for the day, providing music, dancing and interviews at the MPR booth. The team also celebrated their first anniversary with MPR.

The program began with the Imnizaska drum group setting the beat for a two-step dance, also known as the friendship dance, led by dancers Zack Red Bear, Caley Coyne and several others from the Twin Cities. The hot weather didn’t stop several people from trying out dance steps with the dancers and the Native News team.

Chef Sean Sherman and Linda Black Elk with NATIFS

After the dance, the organization sponsoring Indigenous Peoples Day at the fair was welcomed on stage.

Founded by Sioux chef Sean Sherman, NATIFS is a nonprofit food advocacy organization. Sherman says they want to see more Indigenous foods recognized and made more accessible.

“For far too long, Indigenous foods in general have been completely invisible in America. You could go to Chicago or New York and find foods from all over the world, but nothing that represents the land you’re standing on,” Sherman said.

Sherman was accompanied by Linda Black Elk, who works with NATIFS and teaches courses on traditional plants – for food, medicine and building materials. She pointed to the trees near the MPR booth, including ash, locust and hackberry.

She shared with the audience details and uses of each tree.

“A hackberry tree that even now – I’m not telling you to eat it, but if you want to – bears these little dark purple fruits that taste better than an apple. You can make jelly and jam out of it. You can make tea out of it,” said Black Elk.

Black Elk says NATIFS is also working to make this knowledge accessible and visible, even at the fair.

“When you leave the State Fair, you have to make sure you haven’t eaten all the fried tomatoes and pickles and fried everything. But you are aware that you are constantly surrounded by food and medicine,” she said.

James Kaagegaabaw Vukelich

Next to take the stage was author James Kaagegaabaw Vukelich, known for sharing the “Ojibwe Word of the Day” on social media.

Vukelich introduced the audience to his new book, Wisdom Weavers. The book teaches children the Ojibwe language from the indigenous perspective of a child of mixed Ojibwe descent. It highlights important Ojibwe language vocabulary and phrases.

When Vukelich was asked to name an Ojibwe word that reminded him of the State Fair, he said “mino-bimaadiziwin,” which means “it’s a good day.”

“When you take Ojibwe classes in your first year, you will learn that no matter what the weather is like, you can always say ‘mino-bimaadiziwin’ and show gratitude and appreciation for the day,” Vukelich said, noting the day’s hot weather.

He also spoke at the State Fair about the importance of Indigenous Peoples Day from his perspective.

“Let’s take a moment and remind people of the indigenous heritage of a state that even has a Dakota name, Mni Sota or Minnesota, and how important that is to the people who have lived here for thousands and thousands of years,” Vukelich said.

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan

In the final interview of the hour, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan spoke about the upcoming presidential election.

She emphasized Minnesota’s civic engagement, saying the state has the highest voter turnout in the country. The state always does very well in presidential elections.

“We were number one in the census as well, and I think regardless of your political affiliation, people here really value civic engagement – that we are counted, that our voices are heard,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan pointed out that tribal votes could influence the presidential election.

“In 2020, we saw that Native American votes made a difference in Arizona. And I think Arizona delivered victory to the Biden-Harris ticket,” Flanagan said. She says tribal communities are strategically placed in swing states.

“So when we show up, we definitely make a difference,” she added.

Flanagan also spoke about her role as a mother in the election and what’s at stake for her. And while she emphasized her concerns, she said she has those conversations with her own children, too.

“Our young people are absolutely capable of having these conversations and understanding what is at stake because it is their future and as parents we have a responsibility to protect them,” Flanagan said.