Indigenous communities across Minnesota have a long history of engagement with environmental conservation and sustainability, yet much of the science that traditionally informs Minnesota's approach to water conservation does not include Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. To ensure an environmentally literate society that is equipped to protect Minnesota’s waters, we are implementing educational resources and opportunities that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, just, and help learners make informed choices that support sustainable natural resource management. In partnership with Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota, we are uniting multidisciplinary scientists with teachers and students to promote environmental literacy and intercultural understanding.
Supporting Minnesota Teachers
In Minnesota's State Science Standards, students are expected to meet a number of new benchmarks related to Minnesota Tribes & communities. While this integration into the standards represents a significant step forward in ensuring that traditional knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing are reflected in the teaching of Science for Minnesota youth, we recognize that it is important to support teachers to instruct their students on these topics.
We're offering the events below to provide culturally responsive teacher workshops that bridge the preparation gap for teachers as they address the new Minnesota State Science standards with specific consideration of both Indigenous and Western perspectives. Additionally, we'll also pair our teacher workshops with supported delivery of classroom curriculum that exposes middle- and high-school students to water-based job opportunities and careers, particularly focusing on broadening representation of Indigenous youth pursuing natural resource management careers.
Resources for teachers
Use these Resources for Teachers for more ways to bring Indigenous science into your classroom.
Upcoming events
Mille Lacs Museum and Trading Post
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Manoomin is the food that grows on water. Join us at the Minnesota Historical Society’s Mille Lacs Trading Post and Museum in Onamia, Minnesota. Head to the lakeshore to watch museum staff process wild rice using traditional methods including parching, threshing, and winnowing.
Experiential Rice Camp
Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28, 2025
Manoomin is the food that grows on the water. Join us for a family rice camp in northern Minnesota. Come learn about manoomin (wild rice) and how to process manoomin using traditional methods including kettle parching, jigging, and winnowing.
Registration is limited to 15 participants.
COMING SOON: Birch Teachings and Basket Making
To be determined - Fall 2025
COMING SOON: Birch Teachings and Basket Making
To be determined - Winter 2026
Past events
Shakopee Wacipi
Friday, August 15 - Saturday, August 16, 2025
Wacipi, or pow wow, is a traditional Native American celebration of life. Hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) in Shakopee, MN, the wacipi will include dancers, singers, and vendors. Attendees should expect to sit and stand throughout the day, and learn about pow wow etiquette, different dance styles and regalia, traditional hand games, and other community-centric information.
BioBlitz
Saturday, August 2 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Hosted by Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi in Saint Paul, MN, this BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area. Attendees should expect to stand and walk throughout the event which incorporates Indigenous world views and ways of knowing.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to growing the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.