Giiwedinong, the Anishinaabe Museum of Treaties and Culture is beginning to take form in downtown Park Rapids, MN.
This week, artist Brian Dow tribal member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Miskwaagamiiwi-Zaagaiganing) began mural and ribbon trim paintings on the former Carnegie Library and Enbridge office. Dow, a well known painter, graphic artist and clothing designer will work with traditional Anishinaabe beadwork designs. Dow with Mary Crystal Goggleye led a group of youth in creating a Water Protector mural by Isaac Murdoch on the building’s western wall.
The Giiwedinong Museum began as a project funded by Honor the Earth and Akiing, an Anishinaabe Community Development organization.
In October of 2022, Akiing purchased the Carnegie building and has been undertaking essential renovations to prepare for the exhibits. The museum plans to open in October 2023, two-years after Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline went into operation. The Museum will feature a prominent Water Protector exhibit, including photos, stories and narratives from the Water Protector movement in both northern Minnesota and Standing Rock.
Renee Gurneau, Board Chair of the newly formed Giiwedinong Museum, from Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (Miskwaagamiiwi-Zaagaiganing), and is helping guide the cultural knowledge of the museum in development.
“There’s a real need for the history of Akiing, or northern Minnesota to be told and shared from an Indigenous perspective, “ Gurneau said.
The Giiwedinong Museum, funded entirely on private contributions and represents the first independent Indigenous Museum in Minnesota. Giiwedinong plans to develop a supporting membership base, and will also seek funds from state agencies and foundations to support the exhibits and staffing.
“We take the responsibility of telling our stories for the public very seriously,” LaDuke said. “We will do our best to begin telling those stories.” Giiwedinong hopes to hire additional staff this fall, and secure ongoing funding. And, because of your support Giiwedinong is giving birth.
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We also have been extensively renovating the Gallery and Gift Shop inside including installing for the flooring using hemp wood panels.
