A Gathering Place

A Gathering Place
Endazhi-mawanji’iding

Bemidji State University (BSU) is poised to be the foci and loci for Indigenous Studies. With a state of the art American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), built in large part from contributions of the surrounding Ojibway Nations, the University hosts the Indigenous Nations Studies program.  The AIRC opened in 2003 hosting 10,000 square foot facility includes offices, classrooms, a student computer lab, student lounge kitchen, reception areas, conference rooms, and the Great Gathering Room, which provides seating for up to 120 guests and features state-of the-art "smart" technology. The AIRC is also home to the first Indian Studies program in Minnesota and the first collegiate Ojibway language program in the world.  In their main conference hall stands a series of exhibits ranging from Ojibway moccasins to buckskin dresses. Pictures of Ojibway leaders peer across the room reminding the audiences of the high prices paid for Indigenous blood to exist today.  The conference room is round, much like a large old- style wigwam. Their website reads, “Enter the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) and surround yourself with an environment steeped in cultural heritage and tradition – a gathering place that honors the past and helps shape the future.”  The video conferencing in the classrooms enable broadcasts of courses to the tribal colleges, particularly the Ojibway language.  In house, first and second year Ojibway courses are standing room only.  The AIRC mission is: To catalyze distinctive, innovative, sustainable advancement in Indian country by providing a value-driven American Indian Resource Center that nurtures and trains today’s and tomorrow’s leaders in tribal governance, business, education, culture, and language.  

Blackwell describes what those resources are at the center:  speakers during the day for courses and then later during the community.  We want the larger community to come to BSU for everything.  We want them saying why wouldn’t we go there.  We think of it like care packages—food, care, fun and support.”  More important, he adds, “We tell students that we are proud of them, commune and eat a meal together.  We’ve had students come back years later and tell us that they had never had anyone else tell them they were ‘proud’ of them.”

In this warm inviting atmosphere, the AIRC hosts a variety of Indigenous voices year round, but particularly throughout October for Treaty Day and November, Native Heritage Month. This year’s programming boasted speakers, presentations, and arts.  Moreover, programming for and by the students culminated into a full month of non-stop events.  According to Shyron Sawyer remarked, “We have presentations containing not so wonderful truths about our much clouded history. I think the one that stood out for me the most was the Christopher Columbus presentation and how there were a lot of people that didn't know any of the horrible things that Columbus did. Schools before college tell you that Columbus was a great guy, and an even more wonderful explorer. That this many saved many of his European brethren during his voyage and discovery of America. The faces I saw when the truth about Columbus were faces of shock, and surprise. When you tell these people that Columbus was notorious for losing ships, and he didn't actually discover America, some of them are in so much shock that they deny it. They deny that Columbus was as horrible as Las Casas said he was. Now Native American Heritage month is about a lot more than learning about Native Americans, and what they went through in terms of history.”

Many students were strongly impacted by the Bemidji State’s Council of Indian Students event which provided a free meal for Bemidji’s homeless residents on November 2.  Initiated three years ago, students coordinated and served the meal.  However, students additionally took donations and food to the local shelters.  In winter temperatures, several hundred of Bemidji’s homeless somehow survive below zero temps and the students aspire to recognize and include their struggles.  Sawyer stated, “The people we met were some of the nicest I have ever met. I have a Council of Indian Students member say that there was an elder who nearly cried at the fact that he had a chance to have coffee. The weather was bad the night of the dinner and we didn't fill our quota sitting at the Center so we decided to go out into the community and fill our quota that way. I can't tell you how many happy faces I saw when we gave them a home cooked meal, and a bag of daily toiletries that they may need. And you know that you did your job right when you see those bags in the hands of people who needed them. I think a thing I learned the most from this month is the fact that having a community and constantly building on it is very important. It is not just important in Native culture, but in the entire world.”

Another program highlight was the students participating in Bemidji State University’s new Niganawenimaanaanig Program for American Indian nurses.  On November 17^th students gathered as a group for the first time for a conversation with faculty and to achieve the program’s goal of connecting students with well-known indigenous leaders.  According to Bill Blackwell, Director of the AIRC, “We have a simple belief; culture is retention and persistence.  The more we pay attention to students and involvement they have, the more students feel a part of what we do.  In turn, students feel strengthened.  Those who do not know their cultures, will learn and participate.  Moreover, the AIRC is a validating force where speakers are role models.  Students can visualize themselves in the speakers.”

Other programming included: Day of Welcome – Pipe Ceremony, honor song, blessing given to all for the upcoming semester, Fall Drum Feast – Feast for our drum, community potluck, Scholarship Workshop – Designed to assist students in the 4 W’s of Scholarships – Who to Ask, When to Ask, What to bring with you, Why you have a relationship with your professors, 2nd Annual dinner to support AI student success – Sean Sherman Sioux Chef – 4 course meal designed to raise funds for student success, Great Pumpkin 5K – Community outreach in a healthy way, Grad Plans Workshop – Designed to assist students in answering questions regarding grad plans and ensuring they are getting them in on time, Native Heritage Kick-Off Event – James Vukelich – Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings,3rd Annual Feast for the Homeless – A feast to feed our brothers and sisters who are struggling with food and shelter access, Council of Indian Students Movie Night – Neither Wolf Nor Dog, Ribbon Skirt Making Workshop – Nashay Baker came in to teach a two day workshop, Dr. Nicky Michael – Indigenous Women and the Arts, Veronica Veaux – Native American Business Development.

An Algonquian Language, Ojibway is promoted not only in the AIRC, but throughout the city of Bemidji. Anyone walking into the city or county buildings are met with signs identifying rooms in English and Ojibway. In, 2000, the City Council and the AIRC underwent the project of posting the signage as a way to recognize and assert the importance of the Ojibway voices as the original owners to the land that these buildings now stand. The result is an indelible impression upon any visitor or citizen of partnership and survival.

As testament to their success, Indigenous Nations Studies at BSU successfully acts as a pipeline to train and connect their resources to the surrounding Ojibway Nations and plans to expand its reach to the full state of Minnesota, nationally, and internationally. The tribal chairs of Red Lake, Mille Lacs and Leech Lake are all BSU alumni.  BSU has awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 800 American Indian students. At any given time, BSU has more than 150 American Indian students who are majoring in a variety of fields including teacher education, business, environmental science, Indian studies, criminal justice, accounting, and social work. BSU is home to American Indian students from throughout Minnesota and its neighboring states, as well as from New York, North Carolina, Idaho, and Canada. 

This year, BSU holds forty-four first year and thirty-seven second year students.  According to Blackwell, “Our biggest strength is with tribal college, Dual Enrollment Agreements, year three students can transfer to BSU.  We eliminated the 25$ enrollment fees to help facilitate a smooth transition.  The plan for next year is to develop relationships in North Dakota, then South Dakota the next year, and then Wisconsin and Michigan.  We have a path clearly laid out for a student to transition.  In this regard, these are more than just a college to college agreements.  The road is paved and there are road signs pointing out how students can earn their degrees and the support to do it.”

Because BSU is located between the three largest American Indian reservations in the State of Minnesota (Leech Lake is 15 miles south, Red Lake is 30 miles north, and White Earth is 50 miles west of Bemidji), we have access to a large number of fluent speakers, spiritual leaders, Indian educators, and cultural offerings that are all within a reasonable distance to the university.  Not only does each tribal community provide access to tradition though, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribes invested in Indigenous students.  Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth each contributed $100,000 towards the construction of the AIRC. The AIRC provides space for the Moccasin Games, Ojibway Language Tables, a Veterans Group, and a host of off-campus activities and conferences.