This week the Mille Lacs Band of
Ojibwe unveiled a new cultural exhibit that highlights the Band’s heritage and
deep connection to East Central Minnesota. The exhibit, made up of five
interconnected banners, details the history of the Mille Lacs Band from its
arrival 250 years ago in what would become Minnesota up to the present day. The
exhibit also explains the Band’s sovereign government structure and the
economic benefits that the Band brings to East Central Minnesota.
“We are excited to have an
additional option for sharing the Band’s history and culture with our
neighbors,” said Jamie Edwards, the Mille Lacs Band Director of Government
Affairs. “While the Band is an important regional employer and community
partner, many of our neighbors still don’t know that much about us. This
exhibit seeks to change that.”
The cultural exhibit, will open
at the Hinckley Public Library, a branch of East Central Regional Library, on
Tuesday, November 26 and will be on display until December 10. All 14 branches
of East Central Regional Library will host all or part of the cultural exhibit
in the coming months. After leaving the
Hinckley Public Library, it will travel to the Rush City Public Library. See the schedule listed below for the dates
the exhibit will be at an ECRL branch near you.
Hosting the Mille Lacs Band
traveling cultural exhibit is an honor.
It is crucial that East Central Regional Library is educating our entire
community about American Indian culture and government, especially with the
Mille Lacs Band right next door.
More information about the Mille
Lacs Band of Ojibwe can be found at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum in Onamia or
at www.millelacsband.com.
Exhibit Schedule:
Rush City Public Library – December 10 to December 23
Mille Lacs Lake Community Library – December 23 to January 7
Aitkin Public Library – January 7 to January 22
Mora Public Library - January 22
to February 4
Pine City Public – February 4 to February 19
Sandstone Public Library – February 19 to March 4
McGregor Public Library – March 4 to March 18
Milaca Community Library – March 18 to April 1
Princeton Area Library – April 1 to April 15
Cambridge Public Library – April 15 to April 29
Wyoming Area Library – April 29 to May 13
Chisago Lakes Area Library – May 13 to May 27
North Branch Area Library - May
27 to June 10