The freedom to express oneself, see expressions of one’s culture, and feel those expressions are heard and valued are important to how community members are welcomed and experience a sense of belonging in their communities. Historically, power imbalances between different groups have centered the expression and expansion of the perspectives and culture of the majority population. A recognition of the imbalance of the power dynamics involved in expression equity can help organizations and community members support the inclusive expression of diverse groups.
Expression equity is a topic that can be explored by community members to engage difficult conversations and support diversity and inclusion, en route to equity. Some questions we might ask are: Are limits to expression necessary? What is the value of allowing for expression of diverse or even controversial voices in our communities?
Welcoming efforts around expression equity might include:
- Highlighting voices of community members representing minority groups
- Supporting artistic expressions from diverse cultures and methods
- Programming to encourage community members to engage across difference
Considering the relationship between expression and inclusion is essential to understanding a more complete picture of equity across the Northland. Visit the Resources to Explore section to learn more about some current initiatives and stories around expression equity in the Northland.
“There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.” – Tammy Baldwin
Continued Learning
The goal of the Welcoming Community program is to provide continued opportunities for learning and connection related to topics relevant to
diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region. In our monthly emails, we highlight a specific equity topic and provide resources related to the monthly theme.
The theme for the month of August is Expression Equity. When exploring the learnings in the Resources to Explore section, we ask that you consider the following question:
“In terms of expression equity in northeast Minnesota, where have we come from, where are we now, and what steps do we need to take to reach an equitable future?”
Resources to Explore
- MPR News: Duluth mural project connects city to its Ojibwe history
- Pew Research Center: 40% of Millennials OK with limiting speech offensive to minorities
- Duluth News Tribune: National View: There is no free speech without ‘bothsidesism’
- Star Tribune: Campus speech codes flagged at three Minnesota colleges
- Duluth News Tribune: Duluth trans woman, her dad gain international following with podcast
- McArthur Foundation: The Arts: Making Meaning – A Synthesis of Conversations with Creative Leaders
- Perfect Duluth Day: Duluth’s First Public Mural by and for Indigenous Artists
- MinnPost: A brief overview of queer and trans history in Minnesota
- The International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (ICCCR): Addressing Extremism
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The Duluth Lyceum at Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
After a pause to allow Northlanders a chance to enjoy the beautiful July weather, the Duluth Lyceum returns to Bent Paddle Brewing Co. on August 22nd! We are excited to welcome Director of the Duluth Art Institute Christina Woods as our presenter to launch us into our discussions for the night.
Our topic for August is: Art and the Meaning of Life. This month’s theme will deal with why art is important to humanity and what function it plays in our society. From the time of the early cave paintings to now, human beings have treated art as an essential part of life. Why is art important to us and why are we driven to create it? How can it help us to make sense of our lives and of our world?
The Lyceum Movement is a national non-profit movement with the purpose of bringing community members together to discuss important topics and learn together in a social and historical setting. View a short video to learn more about the Lyceum here.
Register for the August Duluth Lyceum here!
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Registration Continues for Inclusion Learning Cohorts
Registration is still open for the Inclusion Learning Cohorts in the Cloquet and Cook County areas! Participation in the Inclusion Learning Cohorts is limited to those who live or work in the school district areas of the respective communities.
The planning process for what the unique workshops in each community will look like has continued and been informed by the Inclusion Readiness Assessment in each community. Topics of interest and relevance have been agreed upon and educators asked to participate based on input from community members at the Inclusion Readiness Assessment and Reporting virtual meetings, through open ended comments in the Inclusion Readiness Assessment survey, and with feedback from the NE MN Welcoming Community Advisory Committee. More information below!
Cloquet Area Inclusion Learning Cohort
Third Monday of the Month, September-March
First Meeting: September 19th, 2022
Agenda: Dinner and Socializing, 5:00-5:30PM; Interactive Program, 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Cloquet Public Library (320 14th St, Cloquet, MN 55720)
Register here!
Cook County Area Inclusion Learning Cohort
First Thursday of the Month, October-April
First Meeting: October 6th, 2022
Agenda: Dinner and Socializing, 5:00-5:30PM; Interactive Program, 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Cook County Higher Education Building (300 W 3rd St, Grand Marais, MN 55604)
Register here!
The Inclusion Learning Cohorts are learning opportunities where community members engage in hands-on activities with stakeholders, subject matter experts, and community members. The monthly cohort workshops provide a framework for communities to:
- build relationships
- learn inclusive community practices
- discuss areas of need in the community, and
- identify a community venture project to move forward together.
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Welcoming: In the News!
- Duluth News Tribune: Local View: Internships can be double-edged swords in Northland
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Welcoming Events Across the Northland
Many initiatives are ongoing to support Welcoming across northeast Minnesota. Listed below are some in-person and digital opportunities to explore and participate in!
Do you know about a connection opportunity we could highlight in an upcoming newsletter? Submit proposals to alewis@northspan.org by September 5th, 2022.
ILT Academy: Innovate 218 Fall Cohort 2022
Date: Applications Due August 17th
Learn more here
True Tuesdays
Date: August 16th, 3rd Tuesday of the Month
Location: Online
Learn more here
The Lyceum Movement–Duluth Lyceum
Date: August 22nd
Location: Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth, MN
Learn more here
Native Governance Center: Indigenous Data Sovereignty in a Post-Roe World
Date: August 24th
Location: Online
Learn more here
Duluth Superior Pride Festival
Date: August 30th – September 5th
Various Locations
Learn more here
Ongoing Events
Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging: Classes, Workshops, Trainings
Learn more here
Entrepreneur Fund: Stride
Learn more here
The Culture: 8 BIPOC Businesses-One Building
Learn more here
St. Louis County Historical Society: Ojibwe Storytelling
1PM every Wednesday and Saturday, June 26th through Labor Day
Where: St. Louis County Historical Society
Members Cooperative Credit Union (MCCU): Financial Education Webinars
Learn more here
Banzai Financial Wellness Library
City of Virginia: Music in the Park Series
Learn more here
Wednesday Events: Fond du Lac Language and Cultural Center
Time: 5PM-8PM
Learn more here
American Indian Community Housing Organization: Indigenous Art By Shaun Chosa
Learn more here
Uniting for Democracy in the Northland
Learn More here
Employer Champions Initiative
Register here
Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness: Northern MN Book Club
Register here
Minnesota Women’s Press Changemakers Alliance
Learn more here
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Invite a Friend
If you know others in your community who are interested in participating with Welcoming Community programming, please share this blog post so they can learn more & Click Here to join our email list.
Contact Northspan’s Welcoming Community Program Coordinator Amber Lewis at alewis@northspan.org with any questions.