The telling of history in our families, schools, and communities is shaped by the perspectives and experiences of those telling those histories. Historically, power imbalances between different groups have centered the telling of history from the majority population’s perspective. There are members of our community from non-dominant groups who may have experienced the same event, but because of their experiences see the intent, motivations, and outcomes from that event from a very different view. When we only hear one part of the story we miss the richness of a fuller understanding and opportunities for learning from the complexity of the past.
A recognition of the inequitable telling of history can help organizations and community members support the inclusive telling of histories that represent the perspectives of diverse groups. Historical equity is a topic that can be explored by community members to engage in difficult conversations and support diversity and inclusion, en route to equity.
Welcoming efforts around historical equity might include:
- Centering the use of primary sources (firsthand accounts) in telling histories
- Encouraging the preservation and telling of stories of diverse groups
- Supporting the telling of historical event from multiple perspectives to provide a more complete picture
Considering the relationship between inclusion and the history shared through community storytelling is essential to equity across the Northland. Visit the Resources to Explore section below to learn more about some current initiatives and stories around historical equity in the Northland.
“Won’t it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.” –Maya Angelou
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 September is Historical Equity. When exploring the learnings in the Resources to Explore section, we ask that you consider the following question:
“In terms of historical 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
- Education Week: How History Class Divides Us
- Bemidji Pioneer: First Book on Red Lake History, ‘Warrior Nation,’ Released
- University of Minnesota: Duluth African American Oral History Project (UMD)
- Star Tribune: Campus Speech Codes Flagged at Three Minnesota Colleges
- Minnesota Historical Society: The Vermilion Lake People: Vermilion Lake Bois Forte Oral History Project
- National Endowment for the Arts: Telling American History Through a Native Lens
- Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota Program Helps Educators Accurately Teach Native American Content in Classrooms
- American Historical Association: Writing History: An Introductory Guide to How History Is Produced
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Second Annual Equity Summit on November 10th!
Northspan will be hosting the second annual Equity Summit, Belonging in Northeast Minnesota, on November 10 in partnership with regional and statewide collaborators.
The equity summit is an opportunity for community leaders, businesses, educators, creatives, workforce and economic development, government, health care, philanthropy, and YOU to engage around themes related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and forge a more inclusive future in northeast Minnesota.
The summit, scheduled for Thursday, November 10, will be held in-person from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, Minnesota. The cost is $20 per person.
The summit is part of Northspan’s Welcoming Community program with the goal of increasing belonging of underrepresented community members and trust between people from different backgrounds and lived experiences in northeast Minnesota.
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Welcoming: In the News!
- Pine Knot News: ‘Inclusion’ Group Forming in Cloquet
- Boreal: Join Local Inclusion Learning Cohorts and Help Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Cook County and Grand Portage for All
- Duluth News Tribune: Central Hillside Youth Center Lives on with New Leadership
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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 October 5th, 2022.
AICHO: Expanding Indigenous Health
Date: September 20th & 27th (multiple times)
Location: Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center
Learn more here
Duluth NAACP: Second Annual Decriminalize Color Event
Date: September 24th, 2-4 p.m.
Location: Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial
Learn more here
The Lyceum Movement-Duluth Lyceum
Date: September 26th
Location: Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth, MN
Learn more here
The Lyceum Movement–Itasca Lyceum
Date: September 26th
Location: Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, MN
Learn more here
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: Nagaajiwanaang Jiibayakamigong
Date: September 30th
Location: Chambers Grove Park, Duluth
Learn more here
The Family Freedom Center: Freedom Farms, The Big Tent Event
Date: October 8th 12-4PM
Location: 500 E 10th St, Duluth, MN
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
Members Cooperative Credit Union: Financial Education Webinars
Learn more here
Banzai Financial Wellness Library
Wednesday Events: Fond du Lac Language and Cultural Center
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Learn more 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 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.