Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
We celebrate Native American heritage all year at Hoċokata Ṫi, but each November serves as a special opportunity to honor and raise awareness of our history and culture. Here’s just a few of the many ways to acknowledge the month.
1. VISIT THE MDEWAKANTON: DWELLERS OF THE SPIRIT LAKE PUBLIC EXHIBIT
Visitors can explore the story of the tribe through artifacts and audio/visual interactive elements that depict the history of the Mdewakanton Dakota people, from their existence before European settlers to making treaties with the U.S government, as well as the journey to self-sufficiency. Guided tours are available each Wednesday at 1pm with our cultural interpreters. Book early—tickets often sell out quickly. Purchase tickets.
2. GRAB A BOOK FROM THE GIFT SHOP
The Hoċokata Ṫi Gift Shop features more than 100 titles covering a host of topics, including history, autobiographies, cookbooks, Native food, sovereignty, children’s books, educational books, Dakota language, coloring books, and more.
3. ATTEND THE HOĊOKATA ṪI FASHION SHOW ON NOV. 21
The second annual fashion show will be an unforgettable evening of fashion, art, and culture. Held in honor of Native American Heritage Month, this year’s event is themed “Ṫate: The Wind Guides Us,” celebrating the movement, spirit, and creativity of Indigenous people from across the country. The evening will feature powerful designs by: James Star Comes Out (Oglala Lakota), Rebekah Jarvey (Chippewa, Cree, and Blackfeet), Joanne Miles-Long (San Carlos Apache and Akimel O’Otham), Leah Thomas (Prairie Island Indian Community), Amy Denet Deal (Diné), and Jessica Haines. Information and tickets.
4. WATCH AN EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
Visit our videos page, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s YouTube channel, and our Native American Heritage Month website for a variety of educational videos about Dakota lifeways, language, culture, values, history, and much more.
5. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Hoċokata Ṫi and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on Facebook all month (and beyond!) as we honor the history and culture of Native people.
