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First Voices: Indigenous Resources

We are actively learning as individuals AND as a community. When we know better we will do better.

CJAC's Land Acknowledgement

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Introduction:

"Indigenous" refers to the peoples native to a region, present before the arrival of colonists. At CJAC, we acknowledge that we are on land traditionally inhabited by the Dakota people and aim to honor their enduring traditions, languages, and contributions both locally and globally. We are committed to respectfully understanding Indigenous cultures, confronting systemic injustices, and reevaluating our learned colonial perspectives.

Our path to deeper comprehension includes:

  • Valuing the rich historical and cultural insights of Indigenous groups.
  • Embracing Indigenous knowledge across emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical realms.
  • Recognizing the complex interplay of Indigenous identity, resilience, and advocacy.
  • Honoring Indigenous ties to the land and nature.
  • Amplifying Indigenous voices and viewpoints.
  • Pursuing thoughtful, self-guided exploration within a supportive community.
  • Building relationships based on trust, consistency, and mutual respect.

Through these efforts, we strive to foster understanding, solidarity, and meaningful allyship with Indigenous communities.

Books in the McKiernan Library

CJAC’s Eoin McKiernan Library has a collection of First Nations authors available for checkout. If you like these books, please consider purchasing these or others from Indigenous-owned stores and resources, BirchBark Books; Indigenous Peoples Resources.

Non-Fiction by Indigenous authors 

  • Child, Brenda.
    Holding Our World Together: Ojibwe Women and the Survival of Community. Penguin Books, 2013. 
    E 99 .C6 C48 2011

  • Gilio-Whitaker, Dina.
    As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock. Beacon Press, 2020.
    E 98 .S67 G55 2019
  • Good Feather, Doug.
    Think Indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World. Hay House, Inc., 2021.
    E 98 .P5 G645 2021
  • Hager, Shirley and Mawopiyane.
    The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations. Aevo UTP, 2022.
    E 78 .M28 H34 2021
  • Mitchell, Sherri.
    Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change. North Atlantic Books, 2022.
    E 99 .P5 M57 2018
  • Treuer, Anton.
    Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to
    Keep Our Language Alive No Matter the Odds.     Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020.
    P 40.5 .L3572 A4555 2020
  • Treuer, Anton.
    Living Our Language: Ojibwe Tales & Oral Histories. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001.
    E 99 .C6 L535 2001
  • Wall Kimmerer, Robin.
    Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions, 2014.
     E 98 .P5 K56 2013

Other Non-Fiction on Indigenous People in the Upper Midwest

  • Lewandowski, Tadeusz.
    Ojibwe, Activist, Priest: The Life of Father Philip Bergin Gordon, Tibishkogijik. University of Wisconsin Press, 2019.
    E 99 .C6 G6435 2019

Fiction by Indigenous authors

CJAC Collaborations with Irish/Indigenous Partners

Outreach Seminar Videos

  • Anamchairde/Kindred Spirits Seminar. Aonach Mhacha, Armagh, Celtic Junction Arts Centre, St. Paul, and Traditional Arts Partnership, South Armagh have teamed up with many friends and guests for Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia to produce Anamchairde. Anamchairde means kindred spirits and is an online event bringing together speakers, musicians, singers, and other performers to commemorate and celebrate the linguistic and cultural friendship between Ireland and peoples of the First Nations of America/Canada.

  • The Power of Indigenous Languages. A discussion on the value, preservation, and challenges facing the languages of the Gaeltacht and of the Anishinaabe nation Speakers of Anishinaabemowin and of Irish explore the topic of Indigenous language including the deep cultural value and the many challenges associated with them. We will discuss their work to preserve these languages and how they’ve learned to best share them with others. Distinguished panelists are speakers of Gaeilge and Anishinaabemowin and include DáithĂ­ Sproule and Michael Sullivan.

  • Indigenous Language and Land Connections.A discussion on the connection between Indigenous languages and the land on which they grew and developed. Distinguished panelists are speakers of Gaeilge and Anishinaabemowin and include Lac Courte Oreille’s Michael Sullivan, and RĂ©amonn Ă“ CiaraĂ­n, Executive Director of Gael Linn and founder of our sister cultural center Aonach Mhaca in Armagh, Ireland. The host is Natalie Nugent O'Shea.

Concerts & Event Videos

  • "Irishinaabe" Irish/Ojibwe Cultural Exchange. In April of 2022, a group of Irish musicians came from Armagh, Northern Ireland to visit the Celtic Junction Arts Center for Irish Arts Week. Brought together by a love of Indigenous languages, a group of Irish educators, musicians, and dancers visited the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College where they exchanged music, dance, and conversation with their generous hosts.

  • Anamchairde. "Anamchairde" is a tune written by composer Aodh Mac Murchaidh. A young member of the Traditional Arts Partnership, Aodh was 16 when he composed this tune to be played for a trans-Atlantic cultural and musical collaboration called Anamchairde/Kindred Spirits. "Anamchairde" was inspired by Irish traditions and the traditions of the Native American Nations and is performed here by instructors of the Center for Irish Music during the Pandemic in 2021. It was recorded and produced by Celtic Junction Arts Center.

  • Anamchairde/Kindred Spirits: A Concert Collaboration. Instructors from the Traditional Arts Partnership of Armagh (Elaine O’Sullivan, Fergal O’Brien) and the Center for Irish Music (DáithĂ­ Sproule, Mary Vanorny, Norah Rendell, Todd Menton) and a set from Ojibwe artists, the Sullivan Squad of Lac Courte Oreilles, WI. In the depths of the lockdown, these musicians met virtually, collaborating over video with masks and thousands of miles of distance. On April 22nd, 2022 they met in person and played together in St. Paul, MN. This concert was streamed live.
     
     
     

Online Resources

  • MN.GOV Minnesota Indian Tribes page

    In Minnesota, there are seven Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and four Dakota (Sioux) communities. Find links to the websites of those communities that have websites. Also included are links to other valuable resources.

CJAC's Native Partners

Indigenous Resources

  • Indigenous Language Resources.