INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY IN THE BLA: 'Why Treaties Matter' exhibit in the Brainerd Lakes Area

By Maajiitaaziibiikwe, Mary Sam

Never underestimate what a small group of people can accomplish. Three years ago, a group of Native and non-Native Brainerd area community members, Sowing Room, Lakes Area Justice Table, Brainerd Public School Indigenous Education Program, Crow Wing County Historical Society, and Central Lakes College individuals came together to brainstorm, plan, then host an Indigenous Peoples' Day gathering. The event is still going, and growing stronger each year.

The Brainerd Area Indigenous Peoples' Day Task Force hosted this Third annual event, on Monday, October 13, 2025, Indigenous Peoples' Day, drawing in over 200 people to the Gichii Ziibi Center for the Arts. Dawn Espe, Executive Director of the Sowing Room shared this moving event again brought together folks from the region to honor the past, present, and future of friends and neighbors. This year the group focused on 'Why Treaties Matter'.

Brainerd students hand drum group, with Mille Lacs Color Guard member Quintin Sam supporting the youth on the big stage, opened the event with a welcome song, bringing in the Mille Lacs Band Color Guard who posted the flags for this annual event.

Central Lakes College student and Mille Lacs Band member Diamond Wind invited Chief Executive Virgil Wind to the stage to provide the events opening remarks. Chief Executive Wind thanked all for "choosing to be here tonight. You could have been anywhere and you chose to be here."

Wind went on to say. "This day is set to acknowledge the presence and contributions of Native Nations, both past and present, but more importantly to recommit ourselves to justice, healing, and the work of restoring - and more importantly enhancing — relationships on these beautiful lands that we are pleased to call our home."

Former Leech Lake Tribal Chairman George Goggleye, Jr., who currently serves at the Cultural Resource Manager for the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, spoke to his role in the creation and utilization of the 'Why Treaties Matter' exhibit through the Minnesota Humanities Center and the importance of this incredible teaching tool for schools and community. The Exhibit, set up in the foyer of the Gichil Zlibi Center, was a focal point for discussion and continued learning opportunities for guests. The exhibit as both Wind and Goggleye noted helps to bridge understanding, build relationships, foster truth, respect and shared purpose and shared responsibility.

Chief Executive Wind spoke to how this work of coming together, educating and building relationships is about "progress, not perfection," noting there is so much more work to be done — but we need to be grateful that work is still moving forward. He noted "sadly, those rights (treaty rights) have been challenged again and again, in courtrooms, political arenas and even in the public eye, but with each challenge we have stood firm. Treaty rights are not privileges; they are promises that must be forever respected.

The annual event closed with renowned hoop dancer, flutist, and story teller Samsoche Sampson, Seneca Nation, followed by the hand drum group singing a traveling song and the closing of the flags. Post event, program guests remained in the Center to continue conversations, building relationships and sharing the profound impact the event made in their lives.

Mille Lacs Band member Waasumookwe, Michele Berger, who resides in Brainerd and is a member of the Indigenous Peoples' Day Task Force is grateful to the other organizers who stand alongside Indigenous people to help make this event happen and continue to grow. Michele shared she feels blessed to be able to help behind the scenes to lift up Anishinaabe culture. "To my fellow Mille Lacs tribal members Chimiigwech to those who accepted our invitations instead of attending other events on this day, Chief Executive Virgil Wind and CLC student, Diamond Wind for taking time to share your voices, Tony Pike and the veterans who make up the Color Guard, to each of the students of Brainerd School district for being brave enough to sing in the colors, posting of flags and the traveling song."