Grand Reopening Open House & Powwow

Please join us for a celebration of the reopening of the Minneapolis American Indian Center, which has been closed for renovations since 2022. The public is invited to an open house and powwow to explore the upgraded center and celebrate the reopening. Please note that there will be zero tolerance for alcohol, drugs, or firearms at these events. Earlier in the day there will be a parade to celebrate the start of American Indian Month, beginning at Cedar Avenue Field Park at 10 a.m. and wrapping up at the Minneapolis American Indian Center at 11:30 a.m.

Parking will be limited at our open house and powwow due to the parade and expected high attendance. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation if able. The 14, 2, 9, and 67 buses drop off on Franklin Avenue outside the center. Plan your bus trip here.

Schedule of events

American Indian Month kick-off parade

10:30 a.m.

• Arrive for the parade at Cedar Avenue Field Park: 2500 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404

11 a.m.

• Parade starts.

11:30 a.m.

• Parade concludes at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

Open house

11:30 a.m.

• Ribbon cutting ceremony.

Noon — 2 p.m.

• Food available from Gatherings Cafe and local food trucks.
• Opportunity to walk around the center and connect with program staff.
• Swag bags available.
• Entertainment in the gym.
  • Keith Secola and David Huckfelt.
  • The Sampson Brothers.

Powwow

5 p.m.

• Doors open.

6 p.m.

• Grand Entry.
• Head Staff:
  • MC: Jerry Dearly.
  • Arena Director: Chaske LaBlanc.
  • Head Dancers: David Carson, Linda Herrera.
• Drums:
  • Host Drum: Midnite Express.
  • Co-Host: Southern Boyz.
  • Invited Drums:
    • Little Bear.
    • Mississippi Ojibwa.
    • Hoka Maza.
    • Little Earth Singers.
    • Ain Dah Yung.
• There will be food and merch vendors, and information tabling during the powwow.
  • Update: Vendor registration has closed.

9 p.m.

• Powwow wraps up.

About the renovations

The renovations and expansion of the Minneapolis American Indian Center will make it easier to continue providing services and programming to the more than 10,000 community members we serve each year. Key aspects of the center have been maintained, with new additions and improvements. The Boys & Girls Club of the Minneapolis American Indian Center will have its own space, including the new Best Buy Teen Technology Center. A new fitness center overlooking the gym will house Native Fitness and Nutrition programming. The Gatherings Café will continue serving delicious Indigenous foods and will be open to the public for dining, take-out, and catering. An artist studio will provide space for Indigenous artists, and it will complement the Two Rivers Art Gallery. A new co-working office space will offer alternative workspaces available for short-term use. The expanded meeting spaces will provide state of the art technology for meetings and conferences.