CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
By Maajiitaaziibiikwe, Mary Sam
The 2024 Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Connection to Place through Stories celebration held inside the Crow Wing Coun ty Courthouse was a standing-room-only historic event. The event was a result of many Brainerd area residents and organi zations coming together to make a difference, and they did just that. Organizations include Lakes Area Justice Table, Essentia Health, Micha Group, and The Sowing Room. Mille Lacs Band member Michele Berger has played a key role in event plan ning and relationship building for the last two celebrations.
As Michele spoke, she noted the event is history-making. “I never could have imagined in my lifetime, having our drum, smudging, ceremony, and Mille Lacs Band Color Guard being present here today, in this courthouse to honor our history and who we are today. It truly was a collaborative event and I feel blessed to have been a part of it.” The event is important for several reasons. It created a platform that helps correct historical injustices, honors the culture and contributions of Indigenous people, raises aware ness, educates, promotes healing and reconciliation, supports Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and helps to shape a more inclusive Brainerd Lakes community.
Pastor Steve Newcom, facilitator of the Lakes Area Jus tice Table described the celebration as “beautiful, meaning ful, honoring culture, history, and community in ways that will continue to reverberate and inspire us moving forward.” At tendees shared pride and excitement that this was one of the few occasions that the majority of presenters were Indigenous, speaking about Indigenous issues. The Mille Lacs Band Color Guard posted the flags and the Little Otter Drum group sang.
Mille Lacs Band historian, Don Wedll and author, David MacArthur, from White Earth spoke about the need to be con nected to history, providing stories and truths. Berger and Brain erd resident, Govinda Budrow, provided a personal connection to place, through stories. Govinda provided examples of the deep, often invisible history right under our feet, hidden under the concrete of the County Court House, and troubling events taking place within a two-block radius; many of which attendees were not familiar with. Adrienne Benjamin, shared the story of and power of the jingle dress as Darcie Big Bear danced in the foyer of the historic courthouse. A few days after the program, Darcie stated, “I walked away from the event feeling very seen, respected, and full of gratitude for those who made this event as beautiful as it was. I appreciate the collaboration and look forward to the continued partnership in the future to make the next event as successful as this year was.”
This is the third large-scale event to take place in Brainerd focusing on truth and reconciliation. The first was held in 2014, in collaboration with Mille Lacs Band, City Council Mayor James Wallin, and Central Lakes College. The 2014 event focused on the 1872 mob lynching of two men from White Earth who were thought to have killed a Brainerd girl, but were never found guilty. Statues of the men are located near the court house. The then Mayor stated it was past time to reconcile and find a path to move forward. The past two Indigenous Peoples’ Day events in Brainerd, have revitalized and inspired local leaders and community members to focus on collaboration, truth-telling, educating, and shaping a more inclusive community.
