CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIP, TEACHING, PRESERVING, AND CREATING COMMUNITY: MILLE LACS INDIAN MUSEUM 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Jun 29, 2026

By Maajiitaaziibiikwe Mary Sam

Mille Lacs Indian Museum celebrated 30 years operating in its current building on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the trading post is coming up on celebrating its 108th anniversary. This unique partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society and the Mille Lacs Band, is a rare display of relationship, partnership, and truth telling, one that continues to impact our families, communities, educators, and learners, and brings in tourists from across the world.

Mille Lacs Site Manager, Travis Zimmerman has worked at the museum for 18 years. In his opening remarks Travis noted, "the museum and this partnership represent a commitment to celebrate, maintain a safe space, and lift up the rich history and culture of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe at an important time in the United States, where historical erasure from the public record at the national level is occurring daily. Places like the Mille Lacs Indian Museum that tell local stories and highlight Native culture are more important now than ever."

The celebration affirmed working together to protect and honor our sacred items, stories, teachings, and those who helped create this valuable museum in Minnesota. Blanketed and honored by the Chief Executive, Wind noted Travis's long-term commitment to our community, which continues to result in longstanding and impactful relationships, preservation, and ongoing opportunities to continue helping the Band live and tell our stories at this important period in time. The museum hosts about 10,000 guests every year.

The celebration program began with Kent Whitworth, Director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society. Kent paid tribute to the long-standing relationship between the Historical Society and Mille Lacs Band reinforcing the importance not only of partnership but power of sharing story, history, and preservation of history.

Chief Executive Virgil Wind's remarks focused on the Bands relationship with MHS which has been built from 'knowledge, passion, and intention to create connection." Wind stated, "look where we are today. We are committed to ongoing integrity and connection to protect this asset in our community." Wind thanked former elected officials and Elders who had the foresight and willingness to build relationships, trusted at a time in history that partnerships like this were none existent, then continued to build this longstanding site that tells the stories of the Band and impacts so many. Wind said, "Collectively, its better we know where we come from so, we know where we are going."

Retired Minnesota Historical Society Director, now a MHS Emeritus member, Nina Archibald participated in the celebration. Nina held the top history position in Minnesota and oversaw the construction of the History Center Building in St Paul. She saw museums as more than learning about the past, but providing space to help people come together and make community and keep stories alive. Nina reflected on questions all parties shared early on, "building this site with the Band telling the story they wanted to tell and preserve." She was committed to working with elected officials and Elders, to work through things that mattered, even when discussions were hard at times, the work began. With pride reflected on where the Band is today and how far the Museum has come.

Nina reflected on her past friendships with the late Maude Kegg, Batiste Sam, Betty Kegg, Margaret Hill, Marge Anderson, and Art Gahbow, where relationship created this important place for the community to see themselves, educate, protect, and honor history, culture, and current times. She expressed immense gratitude for these connections and friendships.

Travis and the museum staff gifted Nina with a blanket and thanked her for her long-term vision and commitment to the Band and State. Following Nina's remarks, she in turn gifted Chief Wind and the Band, a medal she was honored to receive by President Bill Clinton, called the National Humanities Medal and Plaque. Nina believed that the Band was the rightful keeper of this medal and plaque and it was time to pass it along.

James Clark, great-grandson of James Clark-iban, serves as an interpreter and tour guide at the museum. James said he was inspired to see the generations of those connected to the Museum over the last 30 years come together to celebrate this accomplishment. James reflected, "many often don't realize how important our teachings, shared history, and our culture is until we think it is gone or we didn't learn. We need to keep taking care of these teachings, artifacts, our stories, and invest in relationships. We need to continue to document and stay on top of all that took place over the last 30 years. There has been a lot of love poured into this partnership and yet so much more love needs to pour into this work together."

Chief Wind and on-site artist, Band member, Benji Sam, both reminisced about growing up with Elders who worked at the museum and the profound impact spending time with Batiste Sam, Kenny Weyaus, Maude and Betty Kegg, Margaret Hill, and others, had on their lives. Chief Wind earned his first paycheck of $2.40 selling birchbark canoes, while Benji having "hung out at the museum and with all the grandmas" began traveling with his grandmother Betty Kegg taking the teaching of their crafts on the road to other communities at the age of 9. Both men are confident they would not be who they are, had they not grown up within the circle of the museum, the Elders, and the opportunities each were provided as youngsters. Sam noted to Minnesota Public Radio, "It would be incredible for the museum to continue being a leading life force in preservation of cultural knowledge and traditional crafting and art." This message was celebrated throughout the day.

District | Representative Carolyn Beaulieu thanked MHS leadership for their long-term commitment to the Band and for those taking the time to attend the celebration. MHS Vice President of Tribal Relations and Native Initiatives Vern LaPlante spoke on the importance of Native voices guiding this work and preservation of story and artifacts using our cultural teachings.

The celebration was free to the public, offered walking tours of the grounds and collections, and featured birchbark, wood and deer antler artist Benji Sam who demonstrated his craft, and flutist Darren Moose. Kids had the opportunity to decorate a free shoulder bag, work with Benji to create a birch medallion and to learn about flutes from Darren. The Big Red Wagon Food Truck was on-site to provide lunch.