Minnesota Culture
When I moved to Minnesota two years ago, I suddenly had a whole new world to learn and explore, from highways and county roads to social values and cultural norms. Along the way, I’ve found some books and other cultural artifacts that have enhanced the journey and I’m sharing them with you here today. The cultural diversity of the Twin Cities area that you’ll see reflected below includes Native American Indian, Hmong, Scandinavian, Somali, and other elements.
Fiction
Native American Historical Fiction
Last Standing Woman by Winona LaDuke | A novel based on true stories exploring individual and shared stories among Native communities in Minnesota, with a focus on the Ojibwe and Dakota. Informative and compelling.
80s Fantasy
War for the Oaks by Emma Bull | The realm of Faerie insinuates itself into the life of a struggling musician in the Twin Cities, changing her life forever. Includes battles and other events at local landmarks.
Nonfiction
Onigamiising: Seasons of an Ojibwe Year by Linda LeGarde Grover
Perennial Ceremony: Lessons and Gifts from a Dakota Garden by Teresa Peterson
Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country by Louise Erdrich
The Seven Generation and the Seven Grandfather Teachings by James Vukelich | For Ojibwe vocabulary, check out his Instagram: @jamesvukelich
The Late Homecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang
Daughters of Arraweelo: Stories of Somali Women
Art/History/Culture
Okciyapi (Help Each Other) art installation at the Walker Sculpture Garden | Includes a water dome that mirrors the sky, a reference to the name Minnesota–or Mni Sota Makoce in Dakota–which means “land where the waters reflect the clouds.”
American Swedish Institute | Includes exhibits on the art and history of Scandinavia in Minnesota.
Minneapolis Institute of Art | Includes art by artists from around the world, with attention in certain exhibits to local art and culture.
Minnesota History Center | We managed to view the temporary Peanuts exhibit (as Charles Schulz lived in the Twin Cities). The permanent collection is also full of informative and engaging exhibits for all ages.
Nashke Games | Native games, including card games, board games, matching games, puzzles, and other items.
Images courtesy of Unsplash | Minnesota photos by Matt Barton (staircase), Robin Lyon (squirrel), Mathew Benoit (turtle)