This week the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe unveiled a new cultural exhibit that highlights the Band’s heritage and deep connection to East Central Minnesota. The exhibit, made up of five interconnected banners, details the history of the Mille Lacs Band from its arrival 250 years ago in what would become Minnesota up to the present day. The exhibit also explains the Band’s sovereign government structure and the economic benefits that the Band brings to East Central Minnesota. “We are excited to have an additional option for sharing the Band’s history and culture with our neighbors,” said Jamie Edwards, the Mille Lacs Band Director of Government Affairs. “While the Band is an important regional employer and community partner, many of our neighbors still don’t know that much about us. This exhibit seeks to change that.”
The cultural exhibit, will open at the Hinckley Public Library, a branch of East Central Regional Library, on Tuesday, November 26 and will be on display until December 10. All 14 branches of East Central Regional Library will host all or part of the cultural exhibit in the coming months. After leaving the Hinckley Public Library, it will travel to the Rush City Public Library. See the schedule listed below for the dates the exhibit will be at an ECRL branch near you. Hosting the Mille Lacs Band traveling cultural exhibit is an honor. It is crucial that East Central Regional Library is educating our entire community about American Indian culture and government, especially with the Mille Lacs Band right next door.
More information about the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe can be found at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum in Onamia or at www.millelacsband.com.
Exhibit Schedule:
Hinckley Public Library – November 26 to December 10 Rush City Public Library – December 10 to December 23
Mille Lacs Lake Community Library – December 23 to January 7
Aitkin Public Library – January 7 to January 22
Mora Public Library – January 22 to February 4
Pine City Public – February 4 to February 19
Sandstone Public Library – February 19 to March 4
McGregor Public Library – March 4 to March 18
Milaca Community Library – March 18 to April 1
Princeton Area Library – April 1 to April 15
Cambridge Public Library – April 15 to April 29
Wyoming Area Library – April 29 to May 13
Chisago Lakes Area Library – May 13 to May 27
North Branch Area Library – May 27 to June 10